The record-union., 1898-06-16

the two conditions Of civilization into
immediate contrast, and necessarily
sooner or later into conflict, the renais-
sance of Spain would not have been the
task of the United States. But Span
ish jurisdiction, extending to the very
borders of the United States, a point
of contact was found and the conflict
between the twelfth and the twentieth
century was inevitable.
We, therefore, are driven irresistibly
to the conclusion that a good to grow
out Of this war will be the awakening
of Spain to a realization of modern
ideas, reformation which will reach
away down to the foundations of indi-
vidual life and bring with it broad
change Of governmental and religious
now common and mutual. but must be-
come several and apart
Before war was declared, when the
country was upon the eve of 1t, the
Record Union" at length reviewed the
history of the Spanish people and their
country, from the first of their grave
errors down to the present time, and
pointed out the steady decline from a
certain period Of greatness and domi-
nance, and the failure Of that once
powerful State to keep abreast with the
age Of progress and enlightenment. We
indicated the causes very distinctly.
These are now well understood by the
people outside of Spanish jurisdiction.
They are agreed upon by all impartial
historians; they are perceived by ev
cry person who travels in that country
from one of greater enlightenment.
The "Record-Union" then held that
come, if at all, through some great
shock that would stir the turgid blood
and give it new vitality, or coagulate
it altogether. We believe this war is
the instrument, therefore, to so operate
upon Spain that she will arise to bet
ter views concerning the right of pri-
vate judgment in matters Of religion,
and broader and better views concern
ing the right Of the people to choose
their own form of government, their
own assessors and tax collectors and
administrators, and concerning the
right of a people to be enlightened, and
afforded the natural opportunities to
advance upon the lines of betterment
and free thought. The result Of the
war will awaken Spain to a conscious
ness of her national weakness, and the
chivalrous and imaginative qualities of
the Spanish race will be set ahame with
newer and better national aspirations.
Fusion did not work we'll up in Ore
gon. Face to face with the combined
opposition, the Republicans have
swept the State and sent the
cohorts Of amalgamation into
flying retreat And this is but the
dawn Of the victories to follow. In
this hour Of national trial, the people
do not propose to rebuke the Admins
tration which so steadily holds the
helm. and SO well guides the ship OF
State, in order to give the combined
and fanciful theories Of State CT ma
tional policy.
H. Hayes Robbins, in "Gunton's Mag
azine,' is ardent in his faith in the
destiny Of this nation and it's mission
upon earth:
America is the last contributor and
its mission for the world is to blaze
the path of complete self-government
and high civiliZation-liberty and social
progress. We are to become strong,
self-reliant, clean-handed, just and hu
name; we are to outgrow poverty and
ignorance; we are to learn self-govern-
ment fully and set it upon a rock; SO
that the world may see that the thing
we have attempted here is possible, and
take heart from the knowledge that
despotism, cruelty and barbarism have
been, and hence can be, overcome. To
solve these great problems here is to
solve them for the race; that is tha
charge we have in keeping, and the
hope of the world is that we may stand
firm and true.
An exchange says "the people who
are almost falling over one another
in their efforts to secure Government
per cent bonds thus exhibit their conf
dence in the nations financial ability
and integrity" Yes, and despite the
groans of the opposition they are testi-
flying also to their belief that the days
Of the shinplaster and of fat money
have passed not to return.
A talented speaker in this city the
other evening held that the Monroe
doctrine stands between European at
tempts to acquire possessions on this
continent and adjacent islands, and
then the implication was thrown out
that we should not go into other sec
tions, and do that which we prohibit
in this. But the argument does not
hold good. We base the Monroe doc
trine on the dedication of American ter
ritory to freedom, liberty of conscience
and the unrighteousness of further ex-
tension Of the power of monarchies on
the soil Of the Americas But this
has no relation whatever to our holding
for freedom that which we wrest by
right of defensible war from crownS