Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-30

against the combined world on the
slightest preteNt
OF course, true patriotism is very
different thing II il be exhibited hy
the man who leaves home and friends
for our flag in war and riska his life in
his country'H quarrel, ii ia mono the
less exhibited by the, wiiasnd mother
who remain home to waep and mourn.
II it animate the leaders OF soldiers
IN the field, il may no less inmate the
conscientious teacher at hume who pre-
pares men for the faithful discharge Of
civic duty in time of pence. IL it
incites an army TO deeda OF heroism, it
should also incite constant and dis
interested thought and action of the
vast army Of thoughtful, peaceful
citizens who have in their keeping the
preservation of that national integrity
aud honor which constitute their coun.
try's life and hope. Do not fail TO gain
by study ana reflection Just appre.
hension Of the purposes and objects, and
be able to. form an opinion as to its
justification or desirabiity.
You will probably be led by your
reflections and studies to the concu sion
that our government was formed for
new world a new nation, the foundation
OF which should be mans self govern
ment; whose safety and prosperity
should bs secure j its absolute free.
dom from Old World complications and
IN its renunciations of all schemes of
foreign conquest, and whose missiou
should be the sub lection to civilization
and industrial occupation Of the vast
domain in which it has taken root.
SCHEMES OF IMPERIALISM.
II you believe those thingH do not
permit any accusation OF ultfa and pro-
gressive conservatism to trouble you.
IL then the suggestion ia made that tho
time has come for our nation to ahan-
don It's old landmarks aud to follow the
lights Of monarchial hazards, aud that
we should attempt to employ thu simple
machinery OF our popular and domestic
| government to serve the schemes of i'm
perialism, your challenge Of the propo-
sition is entirely in order.
III you are satisfied that foreign con
guest and unnatural extension or an
neSation arc dangerous perversionH of
our national missions, and il it shall
seom to you in the light of reason and
history that such perversions bring in
their train peoples Generalization
and decay Of popular contentmant
more surely destructive to the republic
than armies with banners, you will not
necessarily BIZ wrong. r.
"As an institution Of our mat
methods, it may occur to you that.
though this nation ia young, wo have
within its short existence, by close nd.
herence to our original designs and
purposes, astonishsd the world BY our
progress and the Development of our
vast possessions. With our first con-
tuTy's tremendous growth and advance
ment before your eyes as proof of the
strength and esicieny Of consistent
Americanism, you will find in the be-
ginning OF our second century proof Of
the abundance of our present domain
in millions of acres OF government ier-
ritory still unoccupietl, willis hundreds
OF government officials wait to bestow
il upon settlers. You will also see
other large acres of American soil yet
untrodden by the feet of man, while
our gates are still standing oaen to re
ceive those who shall come from other
countries to share our homes and privi-
lsges.
In view of these things, and CON
sidering our achievements in the mast
and our promise f3r the future, recall.
ing what we have done aud what we
have been, and what yet remains for
us to do under the guidance Of the
rules and motives which have thus fur
governed our national life, you surely
are entitled to demand the best Of
reasons for change in our policy and
conduct and to exact conclusi We
legislation of the conditions which
make our acquisition of new and dis.
tant territory either justi6able, prudent
or necessary.
!" Perhaps you should be satisfied
with the excuse that such ACQUISITION
is necessary by way OF warlike pre-.
paratlon or precaution. This, however.
Will Immediately suggest to you that
We have found heretofore a constant
source OF congratuHtion 10 the fact
that the contemplation Of war and its
contingencies is not and should not he
familiar to our Ordinary national life.
that it has also heen our boast that a
large standing military establishment
and whrlilSe precautions are not AMONG
the needs of the people whose victories
are those of peace and whose immunity
from armed conflict is found iu tbeiI
fresdom from the foreign relationshir
that give birth to war, and that.
though it has becn abundantly de.
monstrated that the courage anu splen.
did lighting qualities Of our country.
men will never fail in time Of need, II
is still grave question whether tht
cheapening Of our estimate of the value
OF peace, ny dwelling upon war and
warlike preparation, is calculated IL
Improve The quality Of our nationaI
character.
FASCINATION OF WAR DANGER.
THESE considerations naturally lead
me to counsel you against the DANA,
OF allowing the bright dress and ga,
truupinga which war puts on to diyor,
your attention from the ugly features
that belong to it as aeHn IN tho lipht
OF true American oiti2enship. The
danger OF srrh diversion NAV srist
from restloas enthusiasm, which ia b,
no means unGttractive or from u,il
admiration for deeds of valur which il
national characteristic, or from IN,
Vaccination Of dangerous adventure
! never found without bravery, or firm,
the love of the glory of successfu
battle, which liz almost sn impulse n
humanity, or from tcudaney 10 com
J hativeness which, if not altugethe
: lovely and amiablo, is regarded i,
genuine Americans with benevolent toll
, GRAFTON.
1t is difficult to deal with the cues
tion of war at this time and ayuit
lnisconception and misrspraapnt atjon
! But We are considering American cjti
zenshir and endosvoring to find II
: best and most characteristics and how
! they gan he most effectively cultivated
and securely preserved. From thi
: standpoint war is hateIy thing whirt
: We should shun and avoid as antaro
: nistic to the objects Of our national ex
J istence, as threatening demorRlizatio,