The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-22
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The cx.Presidcnt Delivered an Al.
dress at Princeton, n. j.
SOUNDED A SIGNIFICANT WARNING
Opposed to Foreign Conquest and
Unnatural ENtensiun.
ANNEXATION MAS DANGEROUS
More Destructive to the Nation
Than Armies with Banners.
WAR TO BE STUNNED AND AVOIDED
lie Advised His Hearers III They Bc-
licved This to Answer No Call
for Military service.

lGnd delivered the annual Founders Day
address of the commence nent exercises Of
the LSwrcnccville school No. / here today.
His address was entitled Good Cltisen-
ship and In the course OF his remarks 40
said:
The American people are tempted every
day and every hour To abandon the accus-
toned way and enter upon u course Of new
and strange adventure. Never before in
our history have We been beset with temp
tations 80 dangerous as those which now
whisper in our ears alluring words OF con
quest and expansion and point out TO us
fields bright with the glory OF war.
Il once saw very useful book entitled
Don't II contained a statement of nu-
mtrous things which should not be done
| am inclined to adopt the plan Of this
hook TO the extent OF coutioning YOU
against the imperfect ideas Of civic dutios
ana warn you against certain dangers
which threaten the Auundncss and safety
OF true American citizenship. and which
especially at this time seem TO lie In wait
Tor us on every side"
continuing, he said! you will proha.
by be led by your reflcc, ions and studies
10 the conclusion that your government
was FORMED for the express purpose of ere
atlhR IN an CIV world Il new nation. the
foundation OF which should be mans self
government whose safety aud prosparity
Should he secure to its absolute freedom
iIom ola world complications and In It's re-
Euhcations OF all schen,s OF foreign con
quests. ana whose mission should hc tAc
subsection OF civilization and industrial ue
oupeiion In which 1t has taken root
II you believe in those things do not
permit any accusation OF ultra and pro-
hr'ssiVe conservatism 20 trouble you II.
theL, The suggestion Is made that the time
mas come for our Nation TO abandon its
ola landmarks and to follow the liehis OF
tdoldicnical hazards. and that We should
attempt 10 employ the simple machinery of
our popular and domestic government to
serve the schemes of imperialism, your
challenge o. the proposition is entirely in
order.
III YOU are satisfied that foreign con-
quest and unnatural extension and annex
atloh are dangerous perverSions of our Ma
iohai missions, and If 1t shall seem TO YOU
IN inc night of reason and history that such
perVersions bring in their trail a populous
generalization and "A decay of popular con-
IL ntmont, more surely destructive 10 the
republic than armies with banners. YOU will
not necessarily be wrong
with our first century's tremcndou.
growth and advancement before you as A
proof o. the strength and efficiency OF con
serVatiSm, you Will find in the beginning OF
your second century proof Of the abundance
OF our present domain In millions OF acres
OF government territory still unoccupied
In view OF these things and considerIng
our achievements in the past and our prom
Use Tor the future recalling what we have
done and what We have been aud what
vet remains for us to do under the guild
ance OF the rules and motives. which have
thus far governed our National life, YOU
surely are entitled to demand the best OF
reasons for a change of our policy and
conduct and TO expect conclusive cxplana-
non OF the conditions. which make our ac-
auisltion OF new and distant territory either
iustifable. prudent or necessary.
Perhaps you should be satisfied with the
excuse that such acquisition IL necessary
by way OF warlike preparation or precau-
tion. This. however. will Immediately sIg-
gest to YOU that we have found heretofore
a constant source OF congratulation In the
fact that the contemplation of war and its
contingencies Is not and should not be IA
miliar to our ordinary life. that 1t has also
been our bonst that a large standing mill
tary establishment and warllke precautions
are not among the needs Of tho people,
whose purposes are those of peace and
whose immunity from armed conflict Is
found in their freedom from the foreign
relationship that gives birth to war; and
though 1t has been abundantly demon
strated that the courage and splendid fight
ing qualities Of our country will never fail
in time Of need. II n still grave question
whether the cheapening OF our estimate OF
the value Of peace By dwelling upon war
and warlke propositions Is calculated to
improve the quality OF our National char
acter.
These considerations lead me TO counsel
you against the dar ger OF allowing the
parades. band playing and gay trapping
which war puts on, to divert your atten-
ton from the ugly features that belong 10
II as seen in the light OF true American
citizenship
THE donger OF such diversion may
arise from restless enthusiasm. which u
by no means detractive from our ad-
miration for deeds OF valor which is
National characteristic, or from the lssei-
nation OF dangerous adventure never found
Without bravery or from the love OF the
glory OF the successful battle, which Is
almost an impulse of humanity and from
tendency TO combativaness when IS MOI
altogether envlable and admirable, ana Is
regarded by genuine Americans with toll
Grafton.
"War IL a hateful thing which we should
shun and avoid as antagonistic 10 the ex-
istcnce OF our National integrity and az
Obstructive 10 our National destiny. II
you DelleFc inns yVu pn"h'" "eNh' ''"'''s
for your belief even though shower OF
stupid calls may I'll The air. II on ac-
count OF this belief yon are called milk
SOUS and towards Saadng peace al any
price you will find yourselves in splendid
company.
SHERMAN. who marched TO the sea ard
had his full share o. glory and triumsss
OF war. gave his lwn description of 4 In
his own style. lie SAID: War IL tell
"The dashing and impetuous Sheridan
declared long after Sheridan's ride had
been read and sung and after his expert
ence at home had been supplemented by
his observation OF war abroad; The more
! have seen OF war the more have de-
spised IT,.
I'VE arc told that the brave and gal
liant Admiral Dewey. whose recent daring
achievements have added new glores and