The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-22
OF G. CLEVELAND
THE Ex-PREsIDENT THINKS THE Ma
TON is MENACED BY PERILs.
He Condemns the "Alluring Words OF
Conquest and Expansion" Whispered
in sour Ears" as Dangerous.

PRINCETON, N. j., June N.-Groyer
Cleveland delivered the annual Founders
day address of the commencement eXer-
cises of the Lawrenceville school here TO-
day. His address was entitled Good Citl-
zenship," and in the course of his remarks
he said: 1.-The American people are tempted
every DAY and every hour to abandon their
accustomed way and enter upon course
of new and strange adventure. Never be-
fore in our history have we been. beset with
temptations so dangerous as those which
now whisper in our ears alluring words OF
conquest and expansion and point out to us
| fields bright with the glory of war. l once
saw a very useful book entitled Don't. 1t
contained a statement of numerous Things
which should not be done. / am inclined to
adopt the plan of this book to the extent
! of cautioning you against the imperfect
ideas of civic duties and warn you against
| certain dangers which threaten the sound
ness and safety of true American citizen
ship and which especially at this particular
| time seem to lie in wait for us on every
| side
Continuing, he said: with our first CEN
turys tremendous growth and advancement
| before your eyes proof of the strength
and efficiency of consistent Americanism,
|
century proof of the abundance of our pres
ent domain in millions of acres of govern
ment territory still unoccupied In view of
these things and considering our achieve
ments in the past and our promise for the
future, recalling what we have done and
what we have been and what yet remains
for us to do under the guidance of the rules
and motives which have thus far governed
our national life, you surely are entitled
to demand the best of reasons for a change
in our policy and conduct, and to expect
a conclusive explanation of the conditions
which make our acquisition of new and dis
tant territory either justifiable, prudent or
necessary. Perhaps you should be satisfied
with the excuse that such acquisition is
necessary by way of warlike preparation or
precaution. This however, will Immediately
suggest to you that we have found hereto
fore a constant source of cOngratulaton in
the fact that the contemplation of war and
it's contingencies is not and should not be
familiar to our ordinary national life, that
1t has also been our boast that a large
standing military establishment and war
like precautions are not among the needs
of the people whose victories those of
peace and whose immunity from armed con-
f1ct is found in their freedom from the for
eign relationship that give birth to war;
and though it has been abundantly demon
strated that the courage and splendid fight
ing qualities of our countrymen will never
fail in time of need, it is still grave ques-
ton whether the cheapening of our esti-
mate of the value, of peace. by dwelling
upon war and warlike preparations is cal
culated to improve the quality of our ma
tional character.
UGLY FEATURES.
'"These considerations naturally lead me
to counsel you against the danger of allow
ing the bright dress and gay trappings.
which war puts on, to divert your attention
from the ugly features that belong to it as
seen in the light of true American citizen
ship The danger of such a diversion may
arise from restless enthusiasm which is by
no means unattractive. or from our admra-
ton for deeds of valor, which is a national
characteristic, or from the fascination of
dangerous adventure, never found without
bravery, or from the love of the glory of
successful battle. which is almost an i'm
pulse of humanity. or from a tendency to
combativeness which, IF not altogether love
ly and amiable, is regarded by genuine
Americans with benevolent liberation. 1t is
difficult to deal with the question of war
at this time and avoid misconception and
misrepresentation. But we are considering
find its best and most elevating character
isticS and how they can be most effectively
cultivated and securely preserved. From
this standpoint war is hateful thing which
we should shun and avoid antagonistic
to the objects of our national existence, as
threatening decentralization to our national
character and as obstructive to our national
destinity. If you believe this you should
stand bravely for your belief even though
a shower of stupid calls may fill the air.
If on account of this belief you are called
'milksops and towards, wanting peace at
any price, you viii find yourselves in splen-
did companionship.
The great American general of this coun-
try, after leading immense armies to victory
and after serving two terms as President
of the United States, said: i never went
into battle willingly or with enthusiasm.
l was always glad when battlew over.
never want to command another army /
take no interest in armies When he wrote
Let us have peace he gave TO his country
men of this and future genera
lions the most inspiring example
of greatness and true American
citizenship. Sherman. who marched
to the sea and had his full share Of the
giorles and triumphs of war. gave his own
description of II N his own style when he
said WAR Is HE'LL The dashing and i'm
petuous Sheridan declared long after 'sheri-