Evening star., 1898-12-31
victory in 'os-ResponsibiIity in '93.

Few other years in the worlds history
have been full of remarkable events as
that which on this day comes to an end.
The American republic has passed through
a great experience. all bounded in its i'm
mediate occurrences by the twelve months
of 1SaS The war with Spain, however. has
been not merely of domestic Importance.
Aside from its results upon Spain herself,
it has awakened the world to a realization
that the republic which was organized one
hundred and twenty-five ard half years
ago has become a great power, establishing
and maintaining high standard of national
life.
Naturally in the immediate recollection
of the years events the incidents and de-
velopments of the war are the factors of
greatest moment. The struggle is still too
fresh in the public mind to permit the
clearest view, such as the historian re-
quires. The trifiing frictions, the emDar-
easements. the incidental errors are not
yet sufficiently eliminated by the touch of
time to permit the exercise of calm judg-
ment But in the midst of all the senti-
ments of mingled satisfaction and regret
which the war engendered the feeling will
unquestionably be paramount in all sec
tiOns of The country that the nation de-
serves IOT Nlldl IEt year
has brought TO it.
Above all. il brought a spirit of reunion
between the states. which was worth a
high price. 1t brought an appreciation that
the government had outgrown its means
of defense and ofense. 1t brought an
understanding of the conditions marking
the new time which the republic had been
steadily and quietly approaching for dec
dH vii fIIII of ha fan
1t brought a world-view to the people of
the states who had perhaps been pre-
viously too much absorbed in domestic
affairs. 1t brought to the foreign powers
greater respect for the American prowess
and the American principles.
But. of course it brought as well great
responsibilities. The year about to open
will mean as much to the nation as that
just closing: perhaps more. The wars
heritage of new conditions Is not all of
easy acceptance. The true test of the re-
public s strength and greatness is about
TO be applied. The meeting of this test will
mark the year 1899 as even greater in its
consequence than the year 1898. The latter
is thus to be considered as predatory to
the nations new career
The conditions to be met and the prob
lens to be solved are of great consequence
to other peoples than our own. The oppor-
tunity is at hand for the extension in a
wise and lasting manner of the true prin-
ctples of Americanism to millions of suf-
ferers from the oppression of unenlighten-
ment and misgovernment. The chance to
make the american flag, in casting its
shadow over other lands than this synony-
nous with progress. liberty and happiness
is such as comes to few governments and
few peoples. Not many Americans will
doubt that these new responsibilities will
be wisely. safely and happily met. What
ever may be the means adopted, whatever
the policy, there is a strong current of feel
ing in the land today that a year hence it
Will be in the power of the writer of cur
rent history to note the fact that 1899 has
wrought for the benefit not only of the
American republic, but for other portions
of the world as a result of this nations
efforts and influence.