The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-10
4 Declaration of Loyalty.

rHEsE forty-eight hours, last past,
have witnessed a demonstration
on the part of the two houses of
congress so sincere, so emphatic and so
patriotic that il must have warmed the
heart of every lover of the republic. At
the same time. this action must have
impressed the people of the civilized
world as a living proof of the splendid
truth that the government has ready de-
tenders in all her millions of sons. The
people of this country indulge in their
share of rivalries, of jealousies, of par
tisanship; these are, in part, the life
and spring of good government. But
rivalry and resentment are banished
instantly in the presence even of sus-
pected peril. At such moments the citi-
zens of the United States. in reverent
renewal of the vow their fathers made,
pledge to the defense of the republic
their lives, their fortunes and their sa-
cred honor; and this they do with one
heart and one mind, intelligently. delib-
erately and with full appreciation of the
significance and the sacredness of the
ODIEal10n InuS dSSuiltd
Angry debate over Cuban concerns
has had a large place of late in the
proceedings of the two houses at Wash
ington. Members have differed sharply
respecting the policy this country ought
to pursue; the antagonisms have been,
at times, painfully conspicuous; In in
stances personal ambition has Haunted
itself unduly: on occasion a partisan
purpose has made itself unpleasantly
manifest. But the moment came when
there fell upon congress the conviction
that the common welfare demanded
that the government ought TO move for
ward a little, into better place. upon
more commanding ground. in nearer adj
justment to the front which foreign
power seemed disposed TO present. The
step was taken, and in doing this, with
out one faltering comrade in the ranks,
the men in the legislative branch of the
federal government moved shoulder to
shoulder. The proposition was to let the
world know that the government, in its
legislative branch. will faithfully up
hold the chief executive of the United
States in all measures deemed wise and
best toward the maintenance of the
military establishment or the strength
ening of il so as 10 meet any emergency.
The millions of money represented in
the bin that has just been passed are as
nothing in comparison with the asser-
tion of the high purpose which the
measure signifies The passage of the
/ bill in the house, on Tuesday, followed
| enthusiastic addresses which We're rep
resentative of every section of the coun-
/ try and of every political party within
! its boundaries Every man who spoke
made emphatic the hope cherished by
| himself and those whom he represented
! that war is not to be, vet every man
| added the ringing declaration that, II
war must be. all the life and wealth
and brain and Drawn this country mas
stands alert to answer the summons OF
federal authority. Promptly, without
even so much as a resort to the formali-
ties of debate. the senate passed. yes
terday. the bill that moved so triumph
antly through the house on Tuesday
when the roll call came, not vote il
the senate was recorded adversely.
This important measure appropriating
millions for the trappings of war is IN
reality a harbinger of peace 1t is a
declaration OF fealty which the world
Will heed. 1t is an assertion of the unity
there is in American citizenship TIL,
vote itself the resources at which i
hints, the manner in which II was giver
and the spirit of which 1t is an illustra
ton must cause those across the sc;
who have been talking nippantly of wa
to pause-it must impress the ministr!
at Madrid with the thought that wa
with this republic would be fearful
thing. There are few parallels in legis
lative annals for this action in congress
The strength of it Is in the heartines
and the fervor With which patriotism
calmly asserted itself 1t was an out
burst of loyalty within the halls of con
gress and there is no corner in thi
country where the echo of it will no
be heard.