St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-11-09
SENATOR pRocToR,s SPEECH.
Accepting his Reelection to the United States
Senate.

Accepting MS Reelection 10 inc Ohiteu Sto'eS
Senate.
Senator Proctor returned from his
European trip last week and reached
Montpelier Wednesday. Below we give
in full the acceptance OF his reelection
as United States Senator, delivered to
the Legislature:
"Mr. President and gentlemen OF the
joint assembly.
81 regret that could not well be pres.
ent at the time TO return my thanks Tor
your recent expression OF continued con-
tidence. But there are some things one
wishes to see with his own eyes rather
than take at second hand. and this au-
tumn seemed the best, il not not, indeed,
the only time tor the trip from which
have just returned
you may be assured that my absence
was from no lack OF appreciation OF
your friendly action One may visit
many lands and may study their institu-
tions and the condition OF their people
and find none, believe, where man and
nature combined have given so satisiac-
tory results as here in our own state.
We are justified in being proud OF Yer
mont and her people. To represent such
state and such a people IS an honor
and pleasure that cannot be measured
in words.
vermont has long held an honorable
position in our nation, and our nation
has now come to occupy greatly en-
larged position in the world. Never be-
fore were the nations of Europe so IN
terested as now in the future policy OF
our country. Indeed, what that policy
is to be is the greatest question before
our own people. Hawaii and Porto
Rico have been added to the nations do.
nlnion. We have become and must tor
all time be sponsors tor the good govern
ment OF Cuba. We must assume some
responsibilities, whether they be greater
or less, in the lar East, and they are, in
my opinion, bound to be greater.
, These changes are not 10 be regarded
lightly, but our action with regard to
Cuba was clearly dictated by the inter.
| ests of humanity and civilization, and
the questions which have followed IRON
the war are the natural result OF a mani
lest destiny which we could not have
have avoided if we would. In these cir
cumstances, and with respect TO these
] questions, although we may not all
, agree as to what is best to do, believe
that the American people in large de-
gree possess what the President has hap
PLY termed the courage OF destiny, a
courage which will bravely and wisely
face every new problem which arises. 1t
is characteristic o the American people
not 10 shirk or shrink from responsible
. ty. and to have an abiding faith that
thew can do whatever is within the
: power OF man to do by brain or hand.
). MANY wise and patriotic men in the
|, country, many in our State believe that
L we should retain no territory or control
S in the Philippines beyond coaling
+. station, or possibly single island.
recognize the cogency of their arguments
3 but have failed 10 see clearly any practi.
cal way of carrying out their views, at
least any probability that such would
be the verdict OF the country. And II we
q assume any jurisdiction in these islands
- there is no logical stopping place, snort
q of the whole. To establish divided
sovereignty, part OF the people under
(; Spanish and part under American ju-
8 risdiction, would, be to invite trouble
!. No halt way step is safe.
u "Since that May morning it has
l. seemed to me practically settled that
n Spain must surrender her entire sover-
eighty in the Philippines. Whether we
r must assume it, or what disposition is
I. to be made of them, is, to be sure,
= another question, and a difficult one,
admit, too important to be settled in
l. haste. But in my view the strong senti'
- mept in favor of taking the entire con.
troll will be the majority one. Those
who oppose this result offer torcible ar
guments but they are not united IN sub
hitting any other practical proposition
u 1t therefore seems to me more than prop
n able, almost certain, that Admiral Dewey
~ settled great questions of national policy
, as certainly and completely as he des
J. troyed the Spanish fleet.
IF you will, | know, pardon me It
:. have spoken too plainly upon pending
! matter on which there are differences o
IS opinion, but it seemed to me that G
, frank statement of what | believe to b.
y the inevitable outcome of the situation
D. was not improper at this time do mo-
z, say or pretend to know whether 1t is tn
most desirable result, but merely say
- that in my view the question was prac
Il tically determined when the stars ant
IS stripes were first raised in the Philip
pines.
"As all the people from north ant
south, Republicans and Democrats, hav
Wed with each other during the recen
ne war in their devotion to their country
ne so I believe that the consideration o
&c these new questions arising out OF it will
~ be met, not from the basis of partisan
tn politics, but from the basis of an enlarg
D. ed patriotism. In times of great emer
- gency the American people rise abov
ne party strife, and it does us good occa
a sioually to be reminded that patriotism
" is deeper and more abiding sentimen
- in our hearts than politics. and the cour
IT. try's welfare than any party advantage
A. "Those new avenues of responsibility
l., will carry with them new avenues of or
Y