The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-20


"The war has put upon the Nation grave
responsibilities. Their extent was not an
ucipated and could not have been weil fore
seen. We cannot escape the obligations OF
victory. We cannot avoid the serious ques-
tions which have been brought home to us
by the achievements of our arms on land
and sea. We are bound, in conscience, to
keep and perform the covenants which the
war has sacredy sealed with mankind. Ac-
cepting war for humanitys sake we must
accept all obligations which the war, in
duty and honor, imposed upon us. The
splendid victories we have achieved would
be our eternal shame, and not our everlast-
ing glory, if they led to the weakening of
our original lofty purpose or 10 the deser-
ton of the immortal principles on which
the national government was founded and
in accordance With whose ennobling spirit
it has ever since been faithfully admin
istered.
''The war with Spain was undertaken not
that the United States should increase its
territory. but that oppression at our very
doors should be stopped. This noble sent-
ment must continue to animate us, and we
must give to the world the full demonstra-
tion OF our purpose.
DUTY determines destiny. Destiny whicn
results from duty performed may bring
anxiety and perils, but never failure and
dishonor. Pursuing duty may not always
lead by smooth paths. Another course may
look easier and more attractive, but pur-
suing duty for duty's sake is always sure
and safe and honorable.
lit is not within the power of man to
foretel the future and to solve unerrngly
its mighty problem. Almighty God has His
plans and methods for human progress,
and not infrequently they are shrouded for
the time being in impenetrable mystery.
Looking backwards, we can see how the
hand of destiny builded for us and assigned
us tasks whose full meaning was not APP
pretended even by the wisest statesmen of
| their times Our colonial ancestors did not
enter upon their originally for indie
| pendence. Abraham Lincoln did not start
! out to free the slaves. but to save the
| Union. The war with Spain was not of our
| seeking, and some of its consequences may
not be to our liking. Our vision is often
! defective. Short-sightedness is a common
malady. but the closer we get to things, or
they get to us, the clearer our view and the
| less obscure duty. Patriotism must be
| faithful as we'll as fervent; craftsmanship
must be wise as well as fearIess-not the
craftsmanship which will command the ap-
| piause of the hour, burt the judgment of
| posterity.
The progress of a nation can alone pre-
| vent degeneration. There must be new life
| and purpose or there will be weakness and
| decay. There must be broadening of
| thought well as broadening of trade.
Territorial expansion is not alone and al
| ways necessary to national advancement
| There must be a constant movement
| towards a higher and nobler civilization
| civilization that shall make it's conuuests
| without resort to war and achieve its great
| est victories pursuing the arts of peace In
our present situation duty, and duty alone,
should prescribe the boundary of our re-
sponsibilities and the scope Of our under
| takings
THE final determination of our purposes
awaits the action of the eminent men who
are charged by the executive with the max
ing of the treaty of peace and that of the
| Senate of the United States, which, by our
Constitution, must ratify and confirm it.
| We all hope and pray that the confirmation
| of peace will be as Just and humane as the
| conduct and consummation Of the war
| When the work of the treaty makers is
done the work of the lawmakers will begin
! The one will settle the extent of our re-
| sponsbilities; the other must provide the
! legislation to meet them. The army and
navy have nobly and heroically performed
! their part. May God give the executive and
| Congress wisdom to perform theirs"