The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
Present-Day Thoughts.
BIZ G. GROsvENoR DAVE.

Just as the strength OF block of
granite is derived from the atoms
that compose it-not in the form of
incOhesive dust, but in the form where
each atom bears part of the burden
and clings with firnness to its neigh
Dor atom; so national durability con-
sists of distributing the burden of the
government upon as many shoulders
as possible and in the measure that
those shoulders are able to bear; to
the end that there shall be none
either great or small who escape the
feeling of responsibility towards the
nation as whole. Measured by such
a standard none of the great nations
of the earth approach it more nearly
than Great Britain and the United
States.
If it be true that moral power is
further reaching and more enduring
than physical, and that history shows
many instances where the influence
of a mans great thought will go on
through the centuries, while his phys
ical strength perishes at death or, if
exerted during life, extends as far as
his arm can reach and no farther
then it will not be unfair to insist
that the nations most likely to exert
present influence and to live on and
on are those that have the best com
prehensiOn of moral duty towards the
individuals within or towards the ma
tions outside. Again measuring up
the great modern nations, we are
forced to the conclusion that notwith-
standing many human mistakes and
many individual and national lapses
Great Britain and the United States
AS pointed out last week, they allow
the individual most rights. They
compel from him no special form of
belief, and enforce upon him the few
est forms of silence. Both of these
nations also have been side by side
in sending out to others the greatest
civilizing, educational, medical, and
spiritual influences. Both nations
have gotten of good and then in the
truest altruistic spirit sometimes
mistaken to pass it along.
X
On the score of both political and
moral enlightment these two nations
are placed in the van OF the never
ceasing generations of men. Though
constitutional monarchy is ON one
side and democracy on the other,
these two are one in Impulse, one in
thoaght, one in racial destiny, from
which neither can wrench free.
Hereeforth, since the American
Colossus has learnt to stride from
island to island halfway around the
world, both are to meet one problem
the performance of duty towards
alien, uncivilized, down-trodden peo-
pie. Again the genius of therace will
force the declaration that not by
physical power shall it be done, but
by the exercise of justice and mercy.
by the grace of God, defender of the
faith, " is engraved on English coins;
by the grace of God, upholder of
human rights" must now be engrav-
ed on the hidden tablets of Anglo
American hearts.
#4*
Such destiny thrills the magma
ton. 1t excludes all boasting, for the
opportunity to hold high the light of
leadership carries with it abprehen-
sion of a falling short OF duty. AS
pointed out few weeks ago, the ever
recurring temptation will be to reply
on physical force. 1t has already pre-
scented itself in the proposed offensive
and defensive alliance with Great
Britain. Surely that would be retro
gression indeed after painful centuries
that have declared the moral in ma
tional life to be more enduring than
l the physical. If cooperation is to
exist, it must be on moral lines, lest
we set back the progress of others by
arousing in them jealous and forceful
designs upon us.
##*
tits our united opportunity to place
l. 1. I L l.