New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
TIE VATION'S CURJSTU1S GIFT.

II was a Door concaption when m artist pict-
urcd on the door Of Uncle Sam various stock
ingS labelled "ths Philippines" Porto Rico"
and the like What are these material pos
sessions? lust what we may make them. It
woud have been q better conception if the
artist had placed on Uncle Sans door one
stocking labelled Detail for Christmas duty in
the world" The one Christmas gift which on
riches this Nation more than all the gifts of
many years gone by is a place in the world
which Il has never before held, power which
II has never yet wished nor exercised. share
in the mastery Of the world which carries with
It vast responsibility and duty. and all tie re-
wards which follow duty we'll performed.
Men are blind who think II blessing that
this Nation has been self-centred. exclusively
devoted TO the pursuit Of It's own prosperity
and practically indifferent TO the well-being OF
all the world outside. The good man who eats
his Christmas dinner and gives thanks that he
is not rs these other men. and spares not n
thought nor cent TO the lettering OF the CON
dtion OF anybody else, IS not the most lovely
type FOR Christmas Day. II the people OF this
country necd everything which 1t is in their
power 10 do or to create. then the lmmalurily
OF the Nation may he accepted as fact how
ever kccnly regretted. But If the Nation has
grown mature enough and strong enough to
help people in distant lands without sacrificing
the welfare Of American citizens. but opening
for them also new opportunities and larger re-
wards Americans have n right 10 hold up their
heads with pride.
The gift OF 1898 lifts lis out OF ourselves. 1t
requires us to begin work for the rest of the
world The child is not asked to carry large
burdens. hut manhood of full power has re-
sponsbltics not Of the household only. Here
is the richest and most powerful Nation in the
world glad TO have reached It's majority, glad
10 be confronted with duties which are not en-
tircly selfish 1t can make better lives and
better homes and better times for millions
OF people on Islands which have come I'M
der its control. without its wish, but because il
has been destined to DO service. The first call
to useful work is the most joyful Christmas
gift n rlght-thnking young man can have To
This young Nation It comes with the Christmas
box OF 1895.
Men say It Is a great task and we may hotch
f. Let us try not to Americans have nor
lacked grand common-sense in their control or
things which have made their own country In
conpa rably the best on earth for humanity. 1t
will hc their condemnation II they fail TO re-
oure. through all their rulers from the highest
10 the lowest the same strict regard for duty
which they should and to a great extent do rc-
quire in their townships, their counties. their
States and their Nation. These outlying prop
critics are n trust. What can be done with them
no man can know. But Americans are 10 he
tested by their fidelity TO That trust. and their
own prosperity may depend greatly upon their
fidelity. Doing we'll for others. they will do
well for themselves. The call 10 duty is the
certificate Of their majority. their right to stand
among the worlds rulers. IF they hold Christ
mas thoughts ever In mrd they will not fall