Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25

could such life serve? China Ia an
example Of the most complete succe4s
of policy of do-nothing-to-exist. What
If our Christ had taught as Brahma and
Confucius didP Where would now endura
the leayen that Is to reJuvenate the
world? Who would not waste himself
in striving rather than rust all the days
OF his life and die OF the dry rot at last?
Who would be the human oyster and lla
with open mouth waiting for what tha
years might bring him, rather than strive
and die for that fuller development whica
the laws OF nature demand?
-Four hundred years ago Spain ranked
among the leading Powers of civilization.
An opportunity came 10 Spain; a fleet
sailed away and returned with the newa
that 1t had opened limitless territories,
strange realm OF thought, new dutiesf
and a world of fresh Ideas. The cen|
turtles have rolled by and we see the rec
| Out.
In much, It is not a record OF whIch
TO be proud. but Spain has had Its day.
Is there not consolation in that? Tho
choice is always offered, and who shall
venture 10 say that the decision 10 try.
at least, is not nobler than to rust ou(
ingloriously and inactively at home5
Other peoples have made the Opposite
ity in the distinctive ideas and Institutions
OF Switzerland? When the sons OF the
mountains had crushed the chivalry %
Burgundy they had their opportunity to
preach political freedom and the nobility
OF individual manhood TO the world. bug
they chose 90 hide again within their
valleys and ignore all obligations 10
others. what is the result? Switzerland
IA both cafe and free. but is the mission
OF a nation summed up In those two
words? Her bravest have died under
other flags; her strongest have been
merely mercenaries, and In refusing To
advance Switzerland has expatriated the
sons whose names might have given her
.mpershable fame and the glory OF teach~
ing for tho profit of all the lessons she
mad learned.
Dewey al Manila opened TO our growth
and development a new world. which 10
only what Columbus sought when he
found America. TO the business, tbs
political principles, and the influence OF
the United States Dewey has done what
Columbus did for Spain. sN
Suppose Spain had simply ignored th6
grandest chapter In her history. and ief1
10 others the wealth OF Mexico and Peru
which made her all-powerfui In Euro-es
and offered her Il grander empire than
that Swallowed by the Roman eagicf
Would not all have cried, shame upon
herg Would she not have sunk withfn
a generation into province OF Frances
instead of withstanding France and over
running Germany Is not a nation en-
titled 10 it's chance, as we'll as a mani
Yet we are asked by some to ignore our
Columbus dewey, to leave TO others the
harvest OF our deeds. and to stamp
America recfean. and craven In tho face
OF the world.
OF course we may fail, hut X We have
nothing OF political wisdom. IL behooves
us 20 preach for the enlightenment OF
humanity. We have already failed. and
] the sooner this country ceases to cumbes
the ground the better.
Are we indeed worthy OF the condemna.
ton we have pronounced ard enforced
upon the Indian? At least let US march
forward and not backward. while We
may. Let us die, when die we must
with the harness on our breasts and with
a full recognition Of the. duties We owe
10 ourselves, our brothers. and our God.
II We are to play the oyster. why did
we force Japan, at the cannon's mouth.
70 open her getes? IL We are 70 confius
ourselves 70 America. why did We send
squadrons 10 protect our trade In the
Mediterranean, and why does the country
| vet thrill when Decatur and ffeble ana
| Bainbridge are mentioned. as well as 1t
| the names OF Perry and Paul Jones?
Amerra will not obey the clans WIS
| force her into she'll She VIII follow
her Columbus. confident that she can do
more for humanity than spain attempted,
| and that We are lot creatures OF the
| earth. weak and worthless among the
nations. JOSEPH IL. SHEPHERD