Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-12-07
PRESENT-DAY THOUGHTS.
BY @. oRosvENoR DAVE.
ECopyrighted by Dave y Tabor

ly, but the time in the history OF our coun-
try Is actually here, when we shall he
forced to take non partisan views of some
great questions. If " refuse to be nom
partisan it will be because we are blind to
the position OF Times shadow over the
dial of our history 1t is one of our high
mems, when the light inclncs neither to
one side nor to the other; but clear-cut
line divides the preparatory half af the
days duty from the half that remains to
be done.
Fifty to one hundred years will be needed
to demonstrate the wisdom or folly of our
congressional acts in the weeks that re-
main Of the fateful year OF '9S. II we,
through our representatives,, insist on dis
cussing our colonial questions in partisan
fashion, it will mean disagreements and
heated arguments. The more the counsel
Tors the greater the confusion. if personal
and party triumph is the thing that is
sought after. Ifthe Congressional Record
comes day by day to show that our law
makers are blind and deaf to national his
tory and awake only to party advantage,
some of us will have to hide our heads in
very shame.
OF course, you are personally in a hurry.
Eou have a thousand cares on your mind
and thousand things to do; and you are
glad to delegate some things to others.
You practically say to your minister: Il
have no time for thinking out theology;
you do it and give me the results" You
say to your physician: Il am in too much
of hurry to take care of myself; you
keep me WE'LL You say to your political
representative: Act for me, think for me,
make laws for me; | shall be content"
But | declare to you that we cannot thus
shift along responsibility. Ii we do, it is
because We have no sense of proportion
and esteem niekel7 worth OF gain above
things whose value is inestimable,
Look squarely at the issues before US
and then determine that if letter from
you will hold congressman straight, it
shall be writtep # word from you can
broaden the horizon of your local editor,
it shall be spoken; if in any way an oppor-
tunity shall come to you to shape our
national destiny for good, ii shall be
utilized. There will be no money in all of
this, but it will give you the supreme sat
isfaetion that as unit of our government,
in your sphere, you have exercised your
power to the full.
What confronts us? The necessity of
deciding upon national policy towards
dependent millions; and deciding so def
nitely on what that policy shall he that it
shall not swerve hairs breadth through
the changing administrations of the flu
ture. If it proves to be broad, compreh hem
siye craftsmanship that the generations to
follow will praise, the glory of it will be
equally divided between the parties, and
'9S be thrice notable a year in which a
generous impulse forced us to war, year
in which we became a world power, year
in which men We're broad minded enough
to esteem national policy above narrow
party.
Involved in that national policy are
these questions and others:
The right to vote, nationally -Csn we
trust voting power to Porto Ricans, Ha-
waiians, Filipinos? II we cannot now so
confide in the wisdom of any or all of
these, when and under what conditions
shall this foundation principle of our gov
eminent be finally and firmly esta blished
among them? | dare to predict that more
than half century will elapse before those
who take our tasks will be able to reach
the end of this question; and, let US hope,
approve our wisdom.
The right to vote, locally Shall the local
offices be filled from Washington or by
the choice of the people affected? If from
Washington, shall political fealty have
anything to do with the appointment or
shall the men be appointed solely because
of preparatory study and fitness? If APP
pointed by local will, in what manner
shall the right to vote be delimited, so as
to prevent action antagonistc to the
Washington government?
The right to education Shall we at
once inaugurate for all the childr n of all
our possessions, system that shall pro-
vide for their mental needs? Shall we be-
gin with only the simplest rudiments, and
let the training beyond that be of prac-
teal character manual and agricultural?
The right to worshp-Ought we at once
to dlsestablish any state religion that may
confront us? II we disestablish shall We
still leave men free to worship God or
gods, just as their own consciences and
previous education dictate? If not, how
shall We draw the line between those forms
of worship that are worthy of humanity
and those that are not?
The right to local customs-Are we to
permit the continuance of bull fights,
cock gifts and other debasing exhibitions
that, though most heartily approved To-
cally, are contrary to our modern and ad-
vanced feelings? Then how shall we com
bat local traditions without causing local
irritation?
The question of tariff-Shall Hawaii and
the Philippines and our probable Caroline
Island, be regarded as under similar trade
conditions to Porto Rico? If not regarded
as coast wise trade, then shall we or shall
we not throw the door of trade wide open
in these distant possessions? Or if limita-
tions are placed upon trade, shall we show
favors to any particular nation and, if so,
which?
II some of our municipal governments