The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-20

eign war, the nrst IN our history FOR
over half q century. We have met in a
spirit Of peace. profoundly grateful for
the glorious advancement already made
and earnestly wishing In the final ter
mination TO realize an equally glorious
fulfillment.
with no feeling OF exultation, but
with profound thankfulness. we con-
template the events or the past five
| months. They have been so full of re-
sponsibilities. Immediate and prospe4
tive. as to admonish the soberest tudg-
ment and counsel the most conservative
action. This In not the time to fire the
imagination but rather TO discover in
calmness the way to truth and Justice
and when discovered. to follow Il with
fidelity and courage. without fear hes
itation or weakness.
The war has put upon the nation
grave responsibilities. Their extent was
not anticipated and could not have been
well foreseen. We cannot escape the
obligations of victory. We cannot avoid
the serious questions which have been
brought home TO us by the achieve
ments of our arms on land and sea- We
are bound In conscience to keep and
perform the covenants which the war
has sacredly sealed with mankind. Ac-
ceptlng war for humanity's sake, we
must accept all obligations which the
=.
The splendid victories we have achiev-
ed would be our eternal shame and not
our everlasting glory IL they lead To
the weakening OF our original lofty pur-
pose or TO the desertion of the immor-
tai principles on which the national
government was founded.
THE war with Spain was undertaken
not that the United states should in
crease its territory. but that oppression
at our very doors should be stopped.
This noble sentiment must continue to
animate us and we must give TO the
world the full demonstration of the sin
certty of our purpose.
DUTY determines destiny. Destiny
which 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 pursuing duty for
duty's sake is always sure and safe
and honorable.
1T is not within the power of man
10 foretell the future and to solve un-
erringly its mighty problems. Almighty
God has his plans and methods for hu-
man progress and not infrequently
they are shrouded for the time being
in impenetrable mystery. Looking back
ward we can see how the hand of des-
tiny builded for us and assigned us
tasks whose full meaning was not ap-
pretended even by the wisest states
men of their times. Our colonial an
cestors did not enter upon their war
originally for independence. 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 de-
fective. Short-sightedness Is a COM
mon malady. but the closer we get to
things or they get to US, the clearer
our view md the less obscure our duty.
Patriotism must be faithful as well as
fervent: statesmanship must be wise as
well as fearless-not the statesmanship
which Will command the applause of
the hour, but the judgment of posteri-
ty.
THE progress of a nation can alone
prevent degeneration. There must be
new life and purpose or there will be
weakness and decay. There must be
broadening Of thought as well as broad
ening of trade. Territorial expansion
IL not alone and always necessary 20
national advanc ement. There must be
a constant movement toward a higher
and nobler civilization, n civilization
that shall make rs conquests without
resort to war and achieve its greatest
victories, pursuing the arts Of peace.
In our present situation, duty and du-
ty alone should prescribe the boundary
of our responsibilities and the scope
OF our undertaking.
''The final determination of our pur-
poses awaits II e action of eminent men
who are charged by the executive with
the making of the treaty of peace. and
that Of the senate OF the United States
which by our constitution must ratify
and confirm IL. We all hope and pray
that the confirmation OF peace will be
just and as humane as the conduct and
consummation OF the war. When the
work OF the treaty-makers IL done the
work OF the lawmakers will begin. The
one will settle the extent of our respon-
sibilities: the other must provide the
legislation for them. The army and
navy have nobly and heroically per-
formed their part. May God give the
executive and congress wisdom to per-
form theirs
The address of Clark Howell. OF At
lanta. who responded TO the sentiment
"Our United Country. North and
South" caught his audience and caught
them hard.