Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-16
Daily kennebec Journal.
PEACE JUBILEE.
Continued from page ~

Other parts of the country have had
their public historic events of the past
year, but nowhere has there been
greater rejoicing than among the peo-
pie here, the gathered representatives
of the South. l congratulate them up
on their accurate observation of events
which enabled them to fix a date which
insured them THE privilege of being the
first TO celebrate the signing of the
treaty of peace by the American and
Spanish commissioners. Under hostile
fire on OAeign soil, fighting in a COM
mon cause, the memory of the old dis
agreements has faded into history
From camp and campaign there come
the magic healing which has closed an
Gent wounds and effaced their scars
For this result every American patriot
will forever rejoice. 1t is no small in
demnity for the cost of the war
This government has proved itself
invincible in the recent war, and out of
it has come a nation which will remain
invincible forever more. No worthier
contributions have been made in pat
riotism and in men than by the people
of these Southern states. When at last
the opportunity came they were eager
" HiNcl IL, WIKI
responded to the call of the country
Entrusted with the able leadership of
men dear to them, who had marched
with their fathers under Americas flag,
now fightHg under the old flag again.
they have gloriously helped to defend
its spotless folds and added new. lus-
ter to its shining stars.
That flag has been planted in two
hemispheres and there it remains, the
symbol of liberty, and law, of peace
and progress. Who VIII Withdraw from
the people over whom it floats, its pro-
tecting folds? Who will haul it down ?
The victory we celebrate is not that
of a ruler, President or. a Congress.
but of the people. An army whose
valor we admire and a navy whose
achievem IS we applaud. We're not as
sembled 81 draft or conscription, but
from voluntary enlistment. The
heroes came from civil as we'll as mill
tary life. Trained and unframed SOL
diers wrought our trilEnphs.
The peace we have won is not a self
ish truce of arms, but one whose con-
ditons presage good to humanity. The
domains secured under the treaty yet
to be acted upon by the Senate came
to us not as the result of crusade or
of conquest, but as the reward of tenn
perate, faithful and fearless responses
to the call of conscience. which could
not be disregarded by a iiberty-loving
and Christian people. We have borne
ourselves in the conflict and in our
intercourse with the powers of the
world as to- escape complaint or COM
plication and give universal confidence
of our high purpose and unselfish sac
ritices for struggling peoples: The
task is not fulfilled. Indeed, it is only
just begun. The most serious work is
still before US and every energy of
heart and mind must be bent and the
impulses of partisanship subordinated
to its faithful execution. This is the
time for earnest, not faint hearts.
New nations teach new duties. To
this nation and every nation there come
formative periods in its fife and his
tory. Newsconditions will be met only
by new methods Meeting these condi-
tons hopefully and facing them brave
ly and wisely is to Zoe the mightiest
test of American virtue and capacity.
Without abandoning past limitations.
traditions and principles. but by meet
ing present opportunities and obliga-
of the great trust which civilization
has imposed upon US. AT Bunker H1li
liberty was at stake; at Gettysburg
the Union was the issue; before Ma
Mia and Santiago our armies fought
not for gaA or revenge but for hui
man rights. %They contended for free
dom OF the oppressed for whose well
fare the United STATES has never fail
I'D 10 Il I,,, -, IN hlIgh
hold and believa. never will The
glories of the war cannot be dimmea,
but the result will be incomplete and
unworthy Gus unless supplemented by
civil victories. harder possibly to Wi9l'
in their way no less indispensable.
We will have our difficulties and
our embarrassments. They follow all
victories and accompany all great res
possibilities. They are lnseparaple
from every great movement or REFORM.
But American capacity has triumpheo
over all in the past. Doubts nave IL
the end vanished. Apparent dangers
have been averted or avoided ana oui
own history shows that progress mas
come so naturally and steadily on the
heels of new and grave respJonsiplh-
ties, that q we look back upon the
acquisition'of territory by our tathefs'
We are filled with wonder that any
doubt could have existed or any appre-
hension could have been felt OF the
wisdom of their action or their capac
lty to grapple with the then uhtrlec
ana mighty problems.
The republic is, today, larger
stronger and better prepared than ever
before for wise and profitable develop
ments in new directions. Even IL the
minds of some of our people are SUI
disturbed by perplexing and anxious
doubt, in which all of US have shared
and still share the genius of American,
civilization will. / believe, be fouhc
both original and creative and capapit
OF subservirg all the great lntefes'
Which shall be confded to our keepihs
Forever in the right following tht
best impulses and clnging to hlSi.
purposes, using property ana Withii
right limits our power and oportuhi
ties, honorble reward must inevitabis
follow. The outcome cannot be II
doubt
I'VE would have avoided all the DIM