The record-union., 1898-08-22
THE WELCOMING HOME.

What a splendid Homecoming was
waters, and how heartily and nobly
the people of the chief city of the nation
greeted the squadrons as they steamed
majestically up the Hudson. There was
no special formality about it, no evil
dence of much arrangement, and as
suredly upon the part Of the people
there was only simple, but enthusiastic
and glorious manifestation Of welcome,
have made the returning warriors Of the
sea proud beyond expression.
The national heart is sound; its beats
are strong and true; it receives its
institutions of the Republic, glorying in
the achievement of the high purposes
for which the nation went to war, not
in its own interests alone, but for the
achievement of the freedom of others.
This manifestation at New York on
Saturday is but another proof that
those who have doubted the faith of
the citizens, the stability Of our insti-
tions and the capacity Of a self govern
ing people, have been woefully mistak-
en- in their estimates. Out Of the stag
nation of peaceful years, when, moving
along commercial lines apparent indif-
ference as to national growth and well
fare grew apace among US, and around
it the doubts and fears of the timid,
and the Vaccinations Of those who
would displace our Government with
vain and fanciful theories and imprac-
ticable social ordering, we entered upon
the war. The result has been precisely
what it should have been.
The war has justified the nation; it
has demonstrated the loyalty of the cit
izens Of the republic; it has proved the
soundness of the national heart; the
deep and profound attachment of the
people to the nation, and the existence
of a fervid patriotism only apparently
dormant, but easily reused into ire
sistible action that knows no distinc-
tons of social place or worldly estate
The war has reunited us everywhere
and put behind US our small and un-
seemly contentious; it has projected us
before the world as a self-contained
people having within ourselves all the
elements of successful national life in
peace or war. in aggression or defense.
1t has taught the Powers of earth that
our system has marvellous assimilative
capacity for the better elements which
come TO US forswearing allegiance to
princes and potentates, to become free
citizens and individual sovereigns. 1t
has proved to the rulers of the old
world that they cannot count upon
the adopted citizens of America to turn
against their new home in anger or
give secret or open countenance to as
sault upon it by their one time masters.
The war has placed us before the ma
tions Of earth as a Power command
ing and assertive of our rights at
home or abroad. but neither given to
warning nor contention, and though
preferring the arts of peace, not un-
skilled in those Of warfare. 1t has pre-
sented to the world Of mankind a noble
example of loftiness Of purpose in a ma
tion springing out of a purely humane
prompting. 1t has proved that war
for humanity is possible, and that in
tervention to stay the hand of afro
cious tyranny and monarchical cruelty
is no longer theory, the dream of phil
anthropists or the fancy of vision
aries.
And the demonstration at New York
on Saturday emphasized the verdict of
the people that American arms are
worthy of all honor. and were support
ed in the war by love of the people as
they were advanced in the interest of
the divine doctrine of mercy and love
for our neighbor. The welcoming of
the victorious American fleet was the
honest seal of approval, the spontan-