Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-08-09
Onr Responsibility

The Beacon Light of Liberty" which
long ago made its appearance in thu
tower of the old North Church on the
night when Paul Revere went dasnine
across the Craddock Bridge in ole
Medford town, and which later wa.
a welcome visitor into the Southland
when Abraham Lincoln ordered it light.
ed in the land of Dixie, and which fol
the past few years has welcomed the
world from New York IIarbor. is abou
to rise in the land just off our coast, the
fair gem of the sea, fertile and over.
flowing with every fruit which Nature
is able to produce. But this American
star Of liberty also throws its glowing
light in another world island which
although located in our neighborhood
has long felt the grasp of the tyrants in
Old Madrid, but no longer shall the
fair sons and daughters of Porto Rico
be held in the yoke of the Spanish
Rulers. Where they have learned to
love the bull fights, and the Spanish wa,
sons they shall shout for our base ball
games, as they sing "Yankee Doodle
and "America". Rut in addition to
these changes shall come that other
great transformation from a "Spanish
Subject to an American Citizen. The
proudcst person in this world is a free
man. No wonder that the inhabitants
of that opened island shouted welcome
to our army as it pushed its way along
the coast. And away in the far east
also our rays of liberty shine today. As
this clash of arms with "Poor Old
SPAIN is about to end, every citizen
who loves America pauses to consider
the great responsibilities which must be
assumed by the officials of our proud
land OF freedom. 1t is a difficult task
for the American government TO under
take. In fact the task is far more onerous
than were the duties which came in the
days Of reconstruction.
The people with whom we mist deal I.
or at least a majority Of them, have not
been reared under the folds of our ban
ner of freedom. Their history, tradi-
tions and language differ from our own.
Their habits and manners are in marked
contrast with those of this good land.
Politicians will seek for more victims
in the "problems Of peace" which must
now be solved. 1t then becomes the
duty of all honest Americans to keep a
sharp eye for those hungry Williams who
would thrust carpet bag tactics on these
people of both Cuba and Porto Rico.
There are thousands Of places to be fill
ed and millions of dollars to be used in
the government of these islands. While
in the end it is expected that the people
of Cuba will be given an opportunity to
govern themselves, yet, for time at
least, America is watched by the civiliz-
ed world to see that our pledges are
carried out, and a sound and firm home
government established. Porto Rico,
however, is to be part of our own
free government. Hero we must be
careful that no over bearing officials are
placed in command or any suspicious
acts allowed which may cause our new
children to feel uneasy and long for the
return of the Spanish officials. That
our country will feel equal to every task
few men will doubt. When it is re-
membcrcd through what great events
America has passed, who will have any
fear that Uncle Sam will not be equal to
the task.
When our history is recalled, and
thoughts come home of the problems
solved at the close of both the Revolu-
tionary and Rebellion, can any one fear
to say that every inhabitant on the is
land of Porto Rico will some day rejoice
that the island was annexed to this land
where no boy king rules, and where
Dukes, Counts and Queens are unknown?
Under our flag the fertile land of Porto
Rico will "blossom rs the rose," and her
gardens shall yield abundant har vest,
her mountains send forth the valuable
minerals of the earth. Let us give
these people warm welcome and use
them as we would the people of Oregon
or New York. They are soon to be true
Americans. With us they will cele-
brate Tho Glorious Fourth; with US
they will cheer the Old Flag; with us
they will remember the Saint of our
Civil War, Abraham Lincoln. Our his
tory shall now be their history, their
prosperity will be ours. Should ever
another foreign foe dare attack this land
Of freedom, these released inhabitants /
Of Porto Rico will join us in marching
to the field of battle. Then let us give |
The loudest words OF Liberty to those
new American citizens. Let us rcmem-
Der our responsibility TO them, and above