The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15

ductive people on the globe? Shall We
form alliances with kindred peoples, or
remain in calm forbidding isolation among
the nations? All these questions to when
if proposed in Mr.. Jeffersons time, ms
teachings would have returned an answer
in the negative are likely 10 press them
selves IL they are not already
pressing themselves, upon the public at
tention.
The course Goes not permit me to Indulge
in any consideration of either of them; but
1 venture to express my conviction that
unless the answer the American people
make to them shall be consistent with
those principles of which MIR. jefferson
has hitherto been regarded as the cham
pion, there will be an end of true popular
government among men, There lS-tnere
can be-but one basis of liberty, and that
lies in constantly cherishing the dispersion
rather than the concentration OF power.
The fundamental political philosophy Of
Mr. jefferson has, not been discredited by
time or experience 1t never will be dis
credited while men retain real love and
a true comprehension of civil liberty. Ana
never more than at the present time mas
there been greater necessity for studying
and teaching within the walls of unVer-
stiles the true principles of republican lib
erty and the practical art of applying
them to human affairs. Recreant indeed,
would this university be to the fame OF
its founder, to the purposes for which 1t
was established, and 10 its own obligations
to present and future times, If it failed to
maintain, not la the spirit of dogmausm,
but of devotion to truth, those great prin-
ciples upon which free, popular govern
ment stands.
If any thing were needed to impress upon
patriotic minds the supreme Importance of
cultiYating anew these patriotic principles
and implanting in all hearts the determine
ton to preserve them, il would be supplied
by the extraordinary spectacle which our
country exhibits at the present moment
We have voluntarily chosen to break the
peace of the world and engage in war
which already imposes heavy burden
upon the industry and resources of the ma
ton, and which may become enlarged into
gigantic proportiOns-a war undertaken not
| TO repel aggression, but to check the disor-
ders and relieve the expressions 10 which
a neghbOring people have been subjected.
We cannot deny that nations have their
duties not only to themselves, but to
| the world; and these, must be
performed at whatever hazard. If We
have not the virtue to perform them with
out sacrificing our own freedom, we have
not right to be republic. We believe,
and have solemnly avowed, that we have
| taken this perilous step under the infiu-
| ence of those humane motives which civ
| ilization and humanity enjoin us to obey.
| For the sincerity of that avOwal we must
| abide by the judgment of civilized nations,
| and that Will largely depend on the con-
sstency with that declaration which our
| future conduct shall exhibit.
| But have care Americans! These ma
| tional duties which call upon us to raise
| an avenging arm, arise only in those ter
| rible alternatives when all else has prov
| ed to be Intellectual, and when we have
| good reason to know that such aVenging
arm viii be effectual. Have a care that
| among your ruling motives no place shall
| be allowed to the mere love of military
and naval renown. The pathway marked
| out for the republic by its fathers was
one of peaceful achievement. Its mission
| Is peace. A free nation can rightfully
have no other aspiration. Undoubtedly
there are temptations which come with
| the possession of power. Men take pride
| In being the citizens of powerful
nations and enjoy the consciousness
of strength; but these are temptations tc
| be resisted, for any undue indulgence ir
| certainty of fate, and this price Is grind
| ing taxation, the oppression of the poorer
| classes, the multiplication of the officia
corps, the intensifying OF the struggle fol
the possession of patronage, and consequent
sppead of corruption, the increasing DOW.
| er of political bosses and chieftains, the
decay of public and civic virtue and the
resulting danger of resorts to revolution
Let not our future confirm the sad lament
of the mlsanthropc poet that history has
but one page which reads, first freedom
then glory, then corruption, then decay
Here then, OF all places let the true
principles OF liberty and free government
as expounded by Jefferson, be forever
studied and taught. Let the youth of the
land who are to resort hither, here learr
the true objects of national ambition and
the methods by which they are to b,
reached. Let them study here the new
problems arising from the prodigiou!
growth of the nation and its rapid mate
rial consolidation. Let them be laugh
the true principles of legislation, and by
what methods liberty Is best reconcileC
with order, and with law; and above all
let them learn to prefer for their country
that renown among the nations which
comes from the constant display of love Of
| peace and justice.
REpTnIICANS OF GEnRGTA