The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-10
TUESDAY. MAY TO- 1905.
AMERICAN IDEALS.

fi.fr inc MNA lIllN " llANN VIZ .''.f'
been plunged changed TIE apparent course
of American cndoavor for thc last thirty
years? This is question whose answer
IS fraught with momontous consequences.
Certainly If one had asked six months
ago whether the American people felt
anxious for war the answer would have
been in tho negative. Indeed. even after
Congress forced the issue whether right
Is or wrongly surmisins that there was a
war spirit abroad ir the land, the ma
jority of the people were stin ostonsibly
more anxious to follow along the quiet
lanes Of peaceful accumulation Of wealth
than to throw away both life aud treasure
So carrying on a war based on motives of
the purest humanity. Yet, at that very
moment there was I'm the hearts of the
American people motive undiscerned
by themselves. perhaps, but stin appa-
rent 10 the thoughtful mind. This is
strlkngly brought out 10y the article from
Blackwood's Magazine, which we give
here. Tho almost prophetic vision Of the
writer is more wildly brought out when
we consider that he could not have writ
ten this editorial later than tho middle
OF March lie alludes first TO the un-
easy spirit az unrest that has been stir
ring I'm AN tho great nations-and espe-
cially among tho Americans. We quote:
pride I'm being q nation of farmers
and traders fails to satisfy young
countries long: and 10 put the matter
plainly. it is against all experience that
a strong. numerous. capable, proud and
stirring people should be content for ever
with a historic past such as an Ameri-
can consciously brings to Europe with
him. 1t is an right. the historic past
and entirely honorable: yet he feels more
and more that it IS wanting IN much that
his f0rbears affected 20 despise and he
cannot. 10 IS destitute OF the splen-
did tradition. the glory of conquest and
far-reaching governance. that gives to
some nations the ronown that uo one
dreams OF matching with anything else
the glory Of the greatest literature eX-
oeptod. -
1T was never likely that The American
~tpubnc would continue TO reDross the
longing for distinction which no scheme
Of government could root out from the
minds Of the people individually. III, in-
tention over there was To- Doe "a great MAJ
ton in an entirely new and superior way.
The new way works on 10 nothing That
either is or seems superior and with
rlghtaboul face. the people of the United
States are turning TO u% ways Of nat
tlonal ambition. Thei. pride iu every
thing American that Us truiy historic;
their pleasure in remembering. recount
ing. picturing that there was a time
when three-cornerel hats. long waist
coats rumes and buclle-shocs were or
binary American attire; thoir chorshug
Of ancient mansions built in 1850; above
ell. the unceaslng repetition of stories
OF the awful war that was Waged upon
each other. and yet are told iu triumph
rather than in sorrow-thcse are among
many long-standing signs OF an uneasy
sensibility TO the lack Of nearly all that
stamps a nation with high achievement
and historic greatness.
II IS a sensibnity that others may
smile att do not. Prove 80 weak. plead
that the first American ideal was nob'er
than that which 81 is giving place to. and
j say naugnt 20 the contrary Preach
that there can be no perfect or tolerably
peaceful world as long as The old ra-
pacitles OF dominion contend aud the old
conceptions Of glory flourish. and there
WIN be no nasty nay-word from me. But.
English. Americans. Russians. French,
We are what We are which is that we are
what We We're: and the OLD rapaciues OF
dominion do contend. ANA no glory lifts
The heart so high as the glory Of battle
noby won. Words will not hide these
truths, nor wishes hide them When
something indistinguishable from q sense
OF housekeeping infer.ority calls upon
America to come forth and take part in
the shaping OF the worlds destiny II IS
perfectly natural ana all iil the expected
order and development Of things. Were
] disposed TO smile az anything I'm what
PROMISE TO be a tremendously disturb
ing Transformation. IL would be al the
discovery by scandalizod United States
cailzsns a. y!ago' pG& in their midst.