The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-05
TRANSITION OF THE NATION.
st. Clair McKelway on Some of tho Results
of the Spanish War.

of the Spanish War.
GLEN SUMMIT. Pa. July 4.-The Fourth Of
July Grafton here to day was delivered by the
Hon. St Clair Mckelway Of Brooklyn. Its
subject was National Transition" In the
urse OF It he said:
our declaration about Cuba was that we
would not force our will on her will. but that
We would become responsible for order. liberty
and peace in Cuba until the will OF Cuba. the
wish OF Cuba for her own conduct or destiny.
should be determined by the clearly visible
and unconstraine ed choice Of her.own.people.
affirm that that-was the noblest declaration a
strong nation ever made in like circumstances.
Tho United States rose TO sublime moral
height when they made that declaration to the
ages and to tho race. Had any other country
made it. We would envy. admire and almost
defy that country. We made It OF ourselves and
for ourselves. and We take it as a matter O..
course
Into our hands as q trus., tho Philippines
fell. at a time when their acquisition by any
other country would have brought about war
almost world wide In it's area and destructive
If the balances Of peace in two continents for
generation to come Our national character
was so moral and our habitual policy was 10
peaceful that the world recognized our acqui.
stion Of the Philippines and Of the Spanish
West indies as ieilci 1r, lact ior neage and
stop growing. We are learning that for growth
the exercise of our powers 10 essential to their
health and strength. That exercise imposes
on us an increased area OF rule. 1t requires OF
us a stronger navy and larSer army: It de-
mands of us a greatly augmented civil ser-
vice. 1t involves no transformation OF our
character. but vast extension Of our ener-
gies and a vast multiplication OF our responsi-
bilites. We did not go willingly for ward. Ne
cannot possibly go bac kward. We have du.
ties and we must bravcly face them.
our nation was mover moro benevolent
never more tolerant. never more clement
never more DESTROYS of justice than it is now.
There is a consciousness OF real missionary
work to be done. with tho conviction that it is
going on in all Of our dependencies where we
are welcome There IL grave regret that
we are resisted where we are misunderstood.
There is grave purpose. on the overcoming
of that resistance. to benefit those who op-
pose us. to nlghten those who contend against
us and 20 make them sorry that they con-
tended and glad that they were overcome. This
may be the task of wears. but 1t will be per-
formed It may involve sacrifices but they will
not be withheld. i may insure disappont-
ments. disasters, losses and notifications
But they will be Incentives. not deterrents.
Within tho century now closing tho largest
achievements ompllshed bv nations or by
men have come to the credit OF the United
which We stand we vii! carry the heritage We
take it from our hands and the bands and tbs
inheritance will DO clean. Tho republic has
nearly always been peace: the republicans al
ways been liberty. That Ia lair assurance that
the republic will always he liberty. Liberty can
he lad for none and bad nowhere. 1t has Its
eXcesses but they are almost selfIcorrec ting
10y their very excess or by regulated law. Lot
nR Of n