The Forrest City times., 1899-03-03
4 MERICA'S MISSION.
|. patriotic Theme of Mr.. Bryan
at Washington.
r,moux Nebrasknn Makes n Wig
,x Attack on Unprecedented
very Full synopsis of His
Address.

Following IS an apstract VI inc au-
ass of william j. Bryan before the
..c;pia association. Washington, ID. C.,
aSnesday evening, February %. His
hioct was Americas Mission" He
aid. in part:
ryvben the advocates Of Imperialism find
,ronossible to reconcile colonial policy
,tb the principles of our government or
"b the canons of morality; when they are
nsble to defend IL upon the ground of re-
aions duty or pecuniary profit, they fall
sck in helpless despair upon the assertion
XII IL Is destiny. Suppose 1t does violate
be constitution they say; suppose 1t does
yreak all the Commandments; suppose IL
oes entail upon the nation an incalculable
ynenditure of blood and money; il is des-
XIV and we must submit
aThe people have not voted for imperial
mn. no national convention has declared
nr n. no congress has passed upon 1t. To
ghom then, has the future been revealed?
Whence this voice of authority? We can all
brophesy, but our prophesies are merely
tuesses, colored by our hopes and our sur
oundings Mans opinion of what is to be
half wish and half environment. Avarice
ba;nts destiny with dollar mark before
miIitarism eqaips Ii with a sword.
"Je is the best prophet who, recogniz-
NO the omnipotence of truth. comprehends
most clearly the great forces which are
nd y,
hot of one nation, but of the human race.
"History is replete with predictions
Dhich once wore the hue of destiny but
which failed of fulfillment because those
who uttered them saw too small an arc of
HE circle of events. When Pharaoh pur-
sued the fleeing Israelites to the edge of the
Red sea he was confident that their bond
ace would be renewed and that they would
|egain make bricks without straw, but des-
|tiny was not revealed until Moses and his
followers reached the further shore dry
ehod and the waves rolled over the horses
and chariots of the Egyptians. When Bel
shazzar, on the last night of his reign, led
his thousand lords into the Babylonian
banquet hall and sat down to table gilt
Xtering with vessels of silver and gold, he
felt sure of his kingdom for many years to
8come, but destiny was not revealed until
/ the hand wrote upon the wall those awe
Iinspiring words: Meme. Meme. Tekel
/ Upharsin' When Abdertahman swept
northward with his conquering hosts his
| Imagination saw the crescent triumph
throughout the world, but destiny was not
| revealed until Charles Martel raised the
cross above the battlefield of Tours and
saved Europe from the sword of Moham-
mechanism. When Napoleon emerged vic
torious from Marengo from Ulm and from
| Austerlitz he thought himself the child of
| destiny but destiny was not revealed until
Blucher's forces Joined the army of Well
ngton and the vanquished Corscian began
| his melancholy march to st. Helena. When
/ the red coats of George III, routed the
New Englanders at Lexington and Bunker
HILL there rose before the British sovereign
visions of colonies taxed without represen-
tation and drained of their wealth by for
eign- made laws, but destiny was not re-
vealed until the surrender of CORVALLIS
completed the work begun a. Independence
hall and ushered into existence a govern
sent of the governed.
I'VE have reached another crisis. The
ancient doctrine of imperialism, banished
from our land more than century ago.
has reerossed the Atlantic and challenged
/ democracy to mortal combat upon Ameri-
can soil. Whether the Spanish war shall
be known in history as a war for liberty or
as a war of conquest; whether the prnci-
pies of government shall be strength
ened or abandoned: whether this nation
shall remain a homogeneous republic or
become a heterogeneous empire-these
questions must be answered by the Ameri-
can people-when they speak, and not until
then, will destiny be revealed.
Destiny IS not a matter of chance. Ii Is
a matter OF choice; it is not a thing to be
waited for, IL is a thing to be achieved.
mo one can see the end from the be-
ginning but everyone can make his course
an honorable one from beginning to end,
by adhering TO the right under all
circumstances Whether a man steals
much or little may depend upon his op-
portunities, but whether he steals at all
depends upon his own volition.
SO with our nation. If we embark upon
career OF conquest, no one can tell bow
many Islands We may be able to SEIZE ur
now many races we may be able TO subtu-
gate; neither can anyone estimate the cost.
immediate and remote. 10 the nations
purse and 10 the nations character. but
whether hl
Is question which the people have right
10 decide for themselves.
Unexpected events may retard or ad-
vance the nations growth. but the nations
purpose determines its destiny.
What is the nations purpose? That
purpose is set forth clearly and unmistaka-
ply IN the first sentence of the constitutions
We, the people of the United States, in
oruer 10 form more perfect'union, estab-
ilsn justice, insure domestic tranquility
provide Tor the common defense, promote
the general welfare. and secure the bless
ihgs OF liberty to ourselves and to our pos
terity. do ordain and establish this consti-
tuition for the United States of America
III Will be seen that one of the main pur-
poses OF the founders of our government
was to secure for themselves and for pos
'erlty the blessings of liberty. That pur-
pose has been faithfully followed up to this
.iine. Our statesmen have opposed each
other upon economic questions, but they
nave agreed in defending self-government
as the controlling national idea. They have
quafreled among themselves over tariff
ana hnance, but they have been united in
theif opposition to an entangling alliance
Win any European power.
Cnder this policy our nation has grown
~ numbers and in strength. Under this
poncy its beneficent influence has encir-
yea the globe. Under this policy the tax
payers have been spared the burden and
the menace of a large military establish
iheht and the young men have been taught
me arts of peace rather than the science
VI war. On each returning Fourth of July
our people have met to celebrate the sign
ing OF the Declaration of Independence;
eilelr hearts nave renewed their VOWS to
Iee institutions and their voices have
praised the forefathers whose wisdom and
courage and patriotism make it possible
.of each succeeding generation to repeat
,ne words; My country, tits of thee, sweet
iana OF liberty, of thee 1 sing
ms sentiment was well universal until
a year ago 1t was to this sentiment that
ehe cuban insurgents appealed: 1t was this
sentiment that impelled our people to en-
ser INTO war with Spain. Have the people
80 changed within few short months that
sley are now willing to apologize for the
Wal war or the revolution and force upon the
n -. -Z~.s