The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-25
Thanksgiving at Central Church.

Rev. Il. A. McCurdy's special service
was master piece highly enjoyed by tho
large number Of people who heard it. Tho
tcxs was from Psalms. 147 a. "lle max
9th peace in :thy border and filcth thee
with the finest Of the wheat
After dealing with some OF the proper
ties of wheat he said in part ITS
rotentcy in our civilization ean neither DO
estimated nor measured. All civilization
arc largely agricultural. The sod receives
the sweat Of tho mans brow and yields its
increase for its substance. Muscle and
brains come from the ploaghed ground
and from the forest resounding with the
music of the woodman's axe.
"Our government con ,emp!atcs the en-
franchisement Of all who enter into citi-
zenship, and guarantees rights Of freedom
in political and religious action. Every
man IL made king and lord OF his own con-
science. Our educational system contem-
plates tho intellectual improvement ofa!l.
We tie no church to state and DO state 10
the church; but our religion ties both tho
CDuTCu anu tIlS ptilc " oOts A'oHtS AhSS-
dom is religious freedom in ccnsce1ce
freedom in government, FREQ thought, free
press free speech, free schools, and FREQ
bullois are our institutions The growth
and influence of these insti utions on per-
sonal and national character is ditfusiye.
In one form or ano,E Eer they are world
wide They arc patented in our inventions
and print ell in our literature and thus edge
their way into industries and thoughts Of
men. Our intercourse with nations en-
phasize them in speech and international
law.
"We cannot exclude from thesworld our
progress as nation. We must be truo
to the lead Of our civilized and religious
forces. But We must never choose war
until 1t Is forced upon lie. Wo did not
want 10 90 to war with Spain. Diplomacy
did its best to avert Diplomacy even
risked national honor in efYors to keep
peace with Spain. The onward march Of
our civilization impacted medlaevallsm
and there was war. Cnba had suffered
long. She was perneated with our ideas
Of freedom in government and IN religion.
For many long years sh, had Eeen nnder
an oppressor. Let Cuba go was our cry to
Spau, and the answer came back in the
loss of the Maine. Then there was cry
which hushed the distress Of the Armen-
ians. 1t was great war: not in the mum.
bcr OF enlisted men. nor in tho number Of
battles, nor in tho loss of life, but great in
the principles involved. 1t has given us
great responsibilities.
Not thinking about it, not intending 1t
we have fallen heir to part in the final
adjustment of the Eastern questions. Of
all tho powers England is the only one
which bids us welcome. This means that
their and our civilization is one. England
and America will henocforth enforce the
worlds peace. Not for war but for peace,
will these two great peoples stand to-
gellcr; not for China's destruction, bu.
for Chinas protection will they stand to-
golher; not for Japan's dismemberment,
but for Japan's development will they
stand together. England and tho United
States against tho world, il the meaning
OF this now relation. l believe TINT, by
virtue Of this fact, tho world itself is On
the edge of a now era of progress and evan
gclization.
Questions of great import come to tho
surfacs. When the war b,gan it was II
foregone conclusion that Cuba would fall
to the Cubans and Porto Rico would fall
to the United States. But what about the
Philippines: The first trophies of the bat
tic wcro tho Philippines-l,4 400 of thcm-
whose inhabitants have been allowed to
grow up and run wild. What shall VIC do
with tho Philippines? Keep all of thom?
Certainly. That Is the best, the wisest
the cheapest, and the only humane dis.
position that can be>nade of them. Our
inhoritence OF the war Is Porto Rico,
Hawaii, the Ladrones and tho Philippines
Many CT the inhabitants arc wild, barbar-
Gus savagcs. Lut us accept the response
bility of them in education. in government,
and in rellyjOn.o