Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-12-28
AT SAVANNAH, GA.


There is cause for congratulation that
with the grave problem before us growing
out of the war with Spain we are free from
any divisions at home.
Our financial and revenue policies cannot
be changed for at least four years. and
whatever legislation hay be had affecting
them during that period. will be to improve
and strengthen, not destroy them. The
public mind can, therefore, repOse In rea-
sonable security, while business will pro-
ceed without apprehension of serious ana
sudden changes so disturbing TO the COM
mercial world and so distracting to the bus
iness men. All of which is fortunate to the
country, for every interest and every sec
ti0n of the country. Even those 40 desire
other and different policies prefer perman-
ency to constant change, or what Is almost
as hurtful, the fear of change
There are happily now no domestic diff
ferences to check the progress and pros
perity of the country which cur peaceful
relations with the world will encourage and
strengthen.
This is fortunate, too, In another sense.
1t leaves the country free to consider and
discuss new questions, which are lmmedi-
ately before US, unbiased by party or polit-
fcal alliances. These new questions are to
be thought out and wrought out, not In a
spirit Of partiSanshlp, bat In a spirit Of
patriotism; not for the temporary adyant-
age TO one party or the other but for the
lasting advantage Of the country. Neither
prejudice nor passion, nor previous cond-
tlon can embarrass the free action and calm
judgment of the question.
We have entered upon new paths. We
are treading In an unexplored field. which
will test our wisdom and statesmanship
The chief consideration is one of duty: our
actions must be controlled by 1t. No settle
ment Is admissible which will not preserve
our honor and promote the best interests Of
all concerned. With a united country and
the gathered wisdom of all the people, seek
ing only the right, inspired only by high
purposes. moved only by duty and humanity,
we cannot err. We may be baffled or de-
tered and eft"n discouraged. but final sue
cess In canse which is altogether unselfsh
and humanitarian can only be deferred, not
prevented.
If. following the clear precepts of duty,
territory falls to us and the welfare of an
allen people requires our guidance and pro-
lection, who will shrink from the RESPONSE
bilty. grave though 1t may be?
Can we leave those people, who, By the
fortunes Of war and our own acts, are help
less and without government, to chaos and
anarchy after we have destroyed the only
government they have had? After destroy
ing their government, 1t is the duty Of the
American Government to provide for them
a better one. Shall we distrnst ourselves,
shall we proclaim to the world our inability
to give kindly government TO oppressed peo-
Pies whose future, by the victories Of war,
Is confded to us?
We may wish II were otherwise, but who
will question our duty now?
1t is not question OF keeping the islands
of the East. but OF leaving them. Dewey
and Merritt took them and the country In
stantly and universally applauded. Could
We have brought Dewey away without uni
versal condemnation at any time from the
1st of May, the day OF his brilliant victory,
which thrilled the world with its bOldness
and herolsTct Was 1t right 10 order Dewey
to go to Manila and capture or destroy the
Spanish feet, and dispatch Merritt and his
army to re-enforce him? IL 1t wers our duty
TO send them there and duty required them
to remain there II was their clear duty 10
annihllate the feet, take the city OF Manila
and destroy the Spanish sovereignty In the
archipelago. Having done all that n the
line Of duty, is there any less duty TO re-
main there and give to the inhabitants pro
lection and also our guidancei