The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-04
AMERICAS FUTURE.
What the Spectator" Thinks Should
BE Done by the United States.

The future OF the world will depend
greatly upon the political character OF
Americans. When in 1850 they are two
hundred millions, and have absorbed as
they will absorb the swarms OF immi-
grants whose presence now makes conti-
nentals doubt-except just after a great
sea ight-whether Americans are Eng
lishmen. their purposes. their ideas, their
will Will be 10 all mankind matter OF the
gravest moment. They will be able II
much stirred 10 crush any single peo-
pie, except perhaps the Slavs.
To NJ the Americans for that destiny
the first necessity is that they should.
before they are irresistible, have difficult
ties. dependencies. complicated and ur-
gent relations with the remainder OF
mankind. Al present everything is too
easy 70 them. and they live too much 10
themselves, comparing themselves with
themselves as the Scripture has II. till
they have no idea OF equals. and see
their own powers Is we'll as rights
through one medium and their rivals
through another. They thought, not out
OF boastfulness but pure inexperlence.
that they could crush Spain and lberate
Cuba in a fortnight They are a people
devoted 70 legal logic. but We never
yet met an American who could see that
IT the A4OllDr ANiAtAl4t IL llOt 10 NC 4
pure oppression 20 the world outside
the Americans. IL must carry with it an
obligation TO control the external &C
ton of the states who live under rs
protection and its shaauN
The Spanish war will teach then.
much. bat 10 be fit for their great work
Americans must learn how 10 govern as
we'll as how 10 be governed; must add
10 their splendid patriotism the English
gift Of cold and lofty tolerance, must
learn how 10 keep subordinate govern
ments as clean Of corruption as their
Supreme Court is; must, above all, learn
the lesson none have yet learned except
the English, how 10 keep dark races sub
ject while they are being educated
without incessant menaces OF force.
They have to create a great feet. yet
conhne IT'S action 70 police work. they
have 10 enlist a great army, yet pre-
serve their own liberties fully. they have
70 maintain a civil service which can
administer successfully yet remain all
the time submissive. cordially submits
sive 10 the will of the toilers who pay
for all. They have, in fact, 10 eX-
change their role OF prosperity for role
OF greatness among mankind.
IL is coming 70 them with tremendous
rapldity-look at the relations between
Admiral Dewey and Admiral Dietrichs-
they are themselves in a dim way be-
coming conscious Of the great change
that is passing over their polity. but
they still need experience. Men do NOT
learn sell-restraint in a week, nor can
great administrators be continuously
produced without training OF two gen.
erations. II is the habit Of self-restraint
which GAmerica, with her terrible
strength. will in the end most urgently
need: and she can acquire 1t only by
use. by finding in the habitual govern
ment Of mankind how easy II Is 10 turn
a wheel which sets sharp knives at
work 10 pinch and peel" They have 10
learn honesty, too, I'm a new form-the
power. when the public veal is con-
cerned. OF not even wishing to make per-
sonal profit, of regarding fee for the
concession OF a contract as something
which IL IS az impossible 10 take as II IS
TO steal a friends spoons or pawn
nancee's engagement ring. There are
virtues. Intellectual as we'll as moral,
which do not blossom freely when there
is no one 10 think Of but oneself. no
one to conciliate, no one to train so
that he may not hate the trainer rs
Mexicans Peruvians. Tagals and coun-
try-borns have through the last hun
dred years hated Spaniards. You can
not train great men II their whole lives
are 10 be one long protraoted good
time" and II is because Americans VIII
need great politicians, great diplomat
lists, great administrators, that We de-
sire 10 see them come out OF them
selves and take up their share OF the
worlds governing work.-London Spec
tafor