The record-union., 1898-10-13

the normal condition of nations was
war. That is not true of the United
states. We never enter upon war un-
TIL every effort for peace without it
has been exhausted. Ours has never
been a military Government. Peace,
with whose blessings we have been so
singularly favored is the national de-
sire and the goal of every American in
spiration.
"On the 25th Of April, for the first
time for more than a generation, the.
United States sounded the call to arms.
The banners Of war were unfuried:
the best and bravest from every Sec
ton responded; mighty army was
enrolled; the North and the South wed
with each other in patriotic devotion;
science was invoked to furnish its most
effective weapons factories were rush
ed to supply equipment; the youth and
the veteran joined hands in freely CT
fering their services to their country;
volunteers and regulars end all the
people rallied to the support of the
Republic. There was no break in the
line, no halt in the march, no fear in
the heart, no resistance to the patriotic
impulse at home, no successful resist
fighting in distant waters or on a for
eign shore
What a wonderful experiment it
has been from the standpoint of pa
triotism and achievement! The storm
broke so suddenly that it was here al
most before We realized it. Our navy
was too small, though forceful with it's
modern equipment and most fortunate
in froi off n,,v
army had years ago been reduced to q
peace footing. We had only 10000
available troops when the war was
declared, but the account which officers
and men gave of themselves on the
battlefelds has never been surpassed.
The manhood was there and every
where. American patriotism was there
and its resources were limitless. The
courageous and invincible spirit of the
people proved glorious and those who
little more than a third of a century
ago were divided and at war with
each other. We're again united under
the holy standard of liberty. Patriotism
banished party feeling; fifty millions
Of dollars for the immediate national
defense was appropriated without de-
bate or division, as a matter Of course,
mighty reserve power.
But if this was true Of the begin
ming of the war, what shall we say of
it now, with hostilities suspended and
peace near at hand as we fervently
hope? Matchless in it's results, un
equaled in its completeness, and the
quick succession with which victory
after victory, attained earlier than it
was believed possible; so comprehen-
sive in its sweep that every thoughtful
man feels the weight of responsibility
which has been SO suddenly thrust up
on us. And above all, and beyond all,
the valor of the American army and
the bravery Of the American navy ana
the majesty of the American name
stand forth in unsullied glory, while
the humanity Of our purposes and
magnanimity of our conduct have
given to war, always horrible, touches
of noble generosity, Christian sympa-
thy and charity and examples of hu-
man grandeur which can never be lost
to mankind. Passion and bitterness
formed no part of our impelling mo-
tive, and it is gratifying to feel that
humanity triumphed at every step OF
the wars progress.
THE heroes of Manila and Santiago
and Porto Rico have made immortal
history. They are worthy successors
and descendants of Washington and
Greene, of Paul Jones, Decatur and
Hull, and of Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
and Logan; of Farrag gut, Porter and
Gushing, and of Lee Jackson and
Longstreet.
New names stand out on the honor
roll Of the nations great men, ami
with them unnamed stand the heroes
of the trenches and the forecastle, in
Vincible in battle and uncomplaining
in death. The intelligent, loyal, in
domitable soldier and sailor and
marine, regular and volunteer, are en-
titled to equal praise as having done
their whole duty whether at home OF
under the baptism of foreign fire
who will dim the splendor of their
achievements? Who will withhold from
them their earned distinction? Who
will intrude detraction at this time to
belittle the manly spirit of American
youth and impair the usefulness of the
American navy? Who will embarrass
the Government by sowing seeds of dis
satisfaction among the brave men who
stand ready to serve and die if need
be for their country? Who will darken
the counsels Of the Republic in this
hour requiring the united wisdom of
all? Shall we deny to ourselves what
the rest of the world SO freely and so
justly accords to us?
THE men who endured in the short
but decisive struggle its hardships, its
privations, whether in the field or
camp, on ship or in the siege, and
planned and achieved it's victories will
never tolerate impeachment, either di
rect or indirect. of those who won a
peace whose great gain to civilization
is yet unknown and the faith of
Christian nation recognizes the hand
of Almighty God in the ordeal through
which the United States has passed.
Divine favor seemed manifest every
where. In fighting for humanity's sake
we have been signally blessed We did
, not seek war. To avoid, if this could
be done in justice and honor to the
rights of our neighbors and ourselves.
was our constant prayer. The war
was not more invited by us than were
the questions which are laid at our
door by it's results. Now, as then, we
Will do our duty. The problems will
not be solved in a day Patience win
be required; patience combined with
sincerity of purpose and unshaken res
olution to do right seeking only the
highest good of the nation and recog-
niZing no other obligation, pursuing TO
other path but that of duty. Right
action follows right purpose. We may
not at all times be able to divine the
future; the way may not always seem
clear, but if our aims are high and