New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-18
REASONS FOR PRIDE.

II is n good time to he an American. Every
American who l. patriot has reason TOT
certain pride in these DAYS. He may he proud
Of his President. the cool. self-poised. long
headed man who knows what the Nation re-
ouircs and does II. He may he proud or MS
Army of the soldiers of whom the spanish
officer said: Il never saw such fighters lie
NAV be proud of his Navy, which counted as
sixth in the worlds estimation four months
ago. and counts as second now. lie may Do
proud Of his people. who have asked absolutely
nothing for themselves. and take what comes
ONLY because they cannot shirls a responsibility
In these DAYS the American who Is not PROUD
OF his country shows that he has something out
OF order in his mental or moral constitution
This Nation does not want much and can
act an example 10 all the world Of freedom from
territorial greed. Orr people conquer nm eX-
tensive territory and then with great hesitation
consider whether they will take and keep any
port OF IT, II they do il will be not because
they want more care and responsibility, but
becouse they cannot sec how 10 get rid OF H.
That also Is a thing OF which Americans have
a right 10 be proud Their refusal to claim half
TINT they might under International laws docs
not hurt them in the eyes of the world. nor
docs thejr refusal 10 shirk a legitimate duty.
They have n right 10 be proud OF the spirit
shown by their Congress The Nation needed
large sum. and could not judge how much. Its
representatives promptly, and Its Senate a'ter
less talk and delay than is customary In that
BODY. voted about S150oooooO additional taxes
and authorized the Government to borrow
2O0OOOOO0 Its proposal to borrow was met
by Offer. of n thousand millions or more and
hot
could be had II the Nation needed II. If We say
that no other Nation Is financially rs strong as
the United States we state nothing but the
fact which tho record Of the last years foreign
trode demonstrates beyond dispute And the
Nation is strong because the people, having
greater wealth than any other Nation. are ready
TO support their Government with the last dollar
they have NJ command. and cnn begin drawing
upon the resources Of the rest OF the world
because they are creditors OF all. II has ceased
to he a point Of annoyance that the rest or the
world holds American bonds or stocks. or has
other evidences of investment in this country
Whenever the foreign holders want to SELL
Americans are ready 10 buy. and glad 10 take
for themselves the profits on the foreign capital
invested here
A financially powerful nation might be weak
in national spirit or IN fighting qual'l's. but
this Nation ls not weak in either respect. II
has never been beaten In any war. though com
PEELED In Tia childhood 10 contend against Great
Britain for It's freedom 1t advances 10 lead
ing place among nations. not because II has
sought that or any other responsibility. It's
people perceived their duty and obliged their
Government TO recognize II. and 30 II quickly
came 10 pass that the Republic Of the New
World was found sufficiently powerful TO be
respected and feared hut without the dispose
ton To engage In combat with any other nation.
Americans desire above all fair dealing. md
have felt quite sure that so much no other
nation would refuse If they gain in consldcra-
ton and in power It Is not because they have de-
manded these from the outside world. but be-
cause The world has come to recognize what they
can do II any need presents itself