The Indianapolis journal., 1898-07-10
HUMILITY IN TRIUMPH.

When the war with Spain began it was
not in response to public sentiment in the
United States. On the contrary, the peace
loving people, intent upon their individual
concerns, were slow to understand the drift
of affairs and were still bswildered by the
seeming suddenness of the turn of events
when war was formally declared. Nor was
it a political or party movement. The ad-
ministration, plainly reluctant to plunge the
country into a conflict with another nation,
and hoping for a peaceful settlement of the
difficulties involving Cuba, delayed action
until a passive course was no longer possi-
bic. Even then, multitude of Americans
looked on the proceeding as one of retaliation
upon the Spaniards for their supposed COM
plicity in the blowing up of the battle ship
Maine. 1t was only gradually borne in upon
them that the government had no choice,
but that irresistible circumstances COM
PEELED its course against it's will, and that
circumstances is only another name for
Providence. 1t was not until the Dewey
victory at Manila suddenly added to our
territory distant islands of whose existence
we had hardly known, and whose possess
sion we had not desired, that the meaning
of events fairly dawned upon US; that it
was dimly seen that the war was one of
the great world-movements toward civiliza-
tion, and that our country was being used as
tool with which to accomplish this end.
AS this conviction has grown protest
against the war has ceased, and thoughtful
men and women regard its progress with
awe, knowing that the end will crown the
work, and that in so far as we strive to
carry out the designs of the Higher Power
we will share in the results. For the Amer
lean people are Christian in the highest
versities of creed, they believe in an over
ruling Providence, in God, in a Universal
Force-the name does not matter-who
guides and governs His world according to
a wisdom above and beyond finite compre-
hension. Ordinarily, this wisdom is ac-
cepted only as an abstract thing; it's appli-
cation iii the history of nations is not recog-
nized until it becomes history and can be
viewed down long perspective of time.
The broad movements Of civilization are
not often seen in their greatest significance
while they are in progress. This war with
Spain is an exception. 1t is a phase Of the
evolution of the world out of intellectual
and spiritual darkness into light, and the
fact is realized by the reverent and discern
ing everywhere. That 1t is accomplished at
the cost of blood and tears is a matter for
human grief, but one that does not initiate
against divine wisdom. No worthy deeds
are accomplished without great travail.
Captain Philip, of the Texas, recognized
that he was but an instrument in the hands
Of greater than he When the naval bat
| tie before Santiago was over he checked
the cheering of his men, then called them
together and said reverently: Il want to
make public acknowledgment that believe
in God, the Father Almighty. I want all
you officers and men to lift your hats and
from your hearts offer silent thanks to
Him. President Mckinley, perhaps with
a broader meaning, asks the people Of the
United States when they meet to-day for
worship to stay the feeling Of exultation
that too naturally attends great deeds
wrought by our countrymen in our coun-
try's cause and to give devout praise to
God, who hcldeth the nations in the hollow
of His hands and worketh on them the
marvels of His high will, and who has thus
far vouchsafed to us the light of His face
and led our brave soldiers and seamen to
victory"
President Mckinley, with the great respon-
sibilities resting upon him as one of the
chief instruments of Providence in carrying
out the plans he did not make, realizes as
no one else the resstless force that urges
him and the Nation on and with humility
and reverence, calls the Nation to its duty.
For it is indeedS fitting that the people
should give thanks, not that their wishes
have been carried out and their prayers
answered, not merely that their country has
won victories, but that. having been chosen
by the Almighty to perform a service, 1t has
been enabled to accomplish the task. 1t
is the recognition by the Nation that it is
being used as a means to an end, and the
rejection of the idea that it is accomplish
ing it's own purposes, that is the salutary
thought. The essence of religion for the
individual is harmony with God The use
fulness of nations is equally enhanced by
such harmony. There is a tendency to
vaingloriousness over the achievements of
our soldiers and seamen and over the great
pray for humility and to be continued as
an instrument that all the divine purpose
be accomplished through us.