The Monte Vista journal., 1898-06-18
BRYAN ON THE WAR.
Declares It 10 for siumAaity. Not for
tension Of Territory.

Omaha, Neb., June 1.-THE Nebras-
ka building ut the exposition was ded-
icated to-day with appropriate cere-
mony amid the plaudits OF thousands
OF the state's citizens. Governor HOl-
comb and his staff took part in the ex-
ercises. along with many Of the states
most distant residents. The speakers
OF the day were Hon. j. G. Smith, Hon.
w. +. Gurley and Hon. William J.
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan's Grafton was nota-
bic for one thing. his first public dec
larntiOn OH the war issue. He took 4
high ground on the question, urging
that the war was for Humanity and not
for the extension OF United States ter
ritory. In concluding lie said the
manifest destiny of this nation IL not
to acquire new realms to govern, but
to carry out the fundamental prin-
clples OF Democracy to the end that
equality among the citizens may be
secured.
After discussing the resources OF Ne
braskn, Mr.. Bryan made the following
reference to the war and Its results:
"War is harsh; 1t is attended by men
and money. We may well pray for the
coming of the time. promised In Holy
Writ, when the spears shall be beaten
into pruning hooks and the swords
Into plow shares; but universal peace
cannot come until justice is cnthronctl
throughout the world. Jehovah deals
with nations us he deals with men, and
for both DEGREES that the wages of sin
Is death. Until the right has tri-
umphcd in every land and love reigns
IN every heart. governments must, as n
last resort. appeal TO force. As long
MS the opprcssor is deaf to the voice OF
reason. so long must the citizen ac-
custom his shoulder to the musket and
his hand TO the sabcr.
Our nation eXhaustcd diplomacy In
It's efforts 10 secure n peaceable solu-
ton of the Cuban question. and only
took up arms when 1t was compelled
TO choose between war and scrvile ne
quiescence to cruelties which would
have been n disgrace to barbarism.
History will vindicaic the position
taken by the United States In the war
with Spain. In saying this assume
that the principles which We're in
voked In the Inauguration of the war
VIII be observed In It's prosecution and
conclusion. II n contest undertaken
for the sake OF humanity deccncrates
INTO war OF conquest. we shall find 1t
added hypocrisy to greed. Is our ma
tlonal character 80 weak tina. we can.
not withstand the temptation to appro-
pirate the first piece of land that
comes within orr reach:
TO inillct upon the enemy all nos.
sihlc hnrm Is legitimate warfare, hui,
shall we contemplate scheme for the
colonization Of the Orient merely be-
cause our fleet won n remarkable vie
tory In the harhor of Manila;
"our guns destroyed the Spanish
''eei, hut can they destroy that self
evident truth that governments de-
rive their just powers-not from si.
perior forcc-bnt from the consent OF
the governed?
shall we abandon n Just resistance
TO European cncroachmcnt upon the
Western hemisphere in order to min.
gle In the controversies of EuroDc and
AsiaI
"Ncbrassr. standing midway be-
tween the oceans. Will contribute her
full share toward the protection Of
our coast: her sons will support the
iing at home and abroad. wherever
the honor and the interests OF the mn.
tion may require. Nebraska will hold
up the hands OF the government while
the battle RACES. and when the war
clouds roll away her voice will be
heard pleading for the maintenance
OF those Ideas which inspired the
founders OF our government and gave
the nation Its proud cminencc among
the nations OF the earth.
III others turn to thoughts OF ur.
ernndlzcmcnt and yield allegiance Ia
those who cloihc the land.covetous.
ness In the attractive rnrb Of national
destiny the people OF Nebraska, II
mistake not their sentiments. plant
themselves upon the disclaimer en-.
tered 10y Congress and expect that
good faith shall characterize the max.
Ing of peace as It did the beginning Of
war.
Goldsmith calls upon statesmen:
To Judge how wide the limits stand
lIc'wixt splendid and happy land.
III some dream Of the spIcndorx Of
Heterogeneous empire cucircilng the
rloic. we shall bc content to aid In
bringing enduring happiness 10 II ho.
mogcneous people. consccratcd TO the
purpose OF maintaining n government
Of the people. by the people and for
the people"