Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-03

81 uiile US, ttdG uoU OnlV IN the past
but in the future; not only on this is
sue but on great issues yet to
come, we will stand united for the
glory of our common country, the vim
dication of its exalted purposes, and
the attainment of the highest, the
'truest, the grandest possibilities of a
prophetic future.
Extols the President.
How different are the conditions to-
day compared with those of three
years ago. The contrast would be be-
Titled bv argument. The citation of
facts, would detract from the universal
object lesson before us. Progress was
draped in mourning. Prosperity wore
the shroud of death. The nation stood,
as it were, on veritable Bridge of
Signs" gazing with darkened brow up
on the waves, as they dashed against
the lea shore of the nations hope. But
the ark of republicanism appeared in
the horizon; it was borne on the heav-
ing pillows of popular sentiment, until
securely anchored in the harbor of u
triumphant election; when forth from
it stepned, before the joyful hearts
and happy faces of a treasured people,
the benign, the patriotic, the heroic
mould of William Mckinley.
Destiny seems to have set its seal on
the administration of William McKin-
ley. 1t was foreordained by Provi-
dence. We have simply obeyed the de-
crees of Fate. We cannot retrace our
steps or Grace the past if we would,
and would not if we could.
The great events through which we
have passed and are passing, with all
the vital questions germane thereto,
We're not foreseen and could not have
been foreseen, three years ago, when
the people divided on the issue then in
controversy. We are now confront-
ed with problems widely different from
those that have heretofore engrossed
the public mind. Questions are now
presented of the most vital Importance,
of far-reaching influence, of, controll-
ing force in shaping the future of the
nation. Questions of such absorbing
interest as to relegate as matters of
subsidiary consideration the partisan
issues that have in the past engaged
our attention and maintained party
lines. New party affiliations must ne
cessarily follow. The people will be
heard on these great questions. 1t is
therefore mete that this convention OF
the republican party of Iowa make no
mistake in its declaration of prin-
ciples. The expression of the people
this year will be felt not only by the
administration, not only in the halls
of congress, but will, to great extent,
shape the issues of the national con-
test of 1900; yea, will point out the
pathway of the nation for many years
to come. The eyes of the world are
unon our country today. With the
same lofty and courageous statesman
shin that has ever characterized the
republican party, may we approach
the consideration of these new prob
lens.
Administration Needs No Defense.
I do not feel called upon to defend
or justify the administration of Pres
ldent Mckinley. 1t needs no defense.
1t can stand on its merits alone. Ev-
cry step taken, every act performed,
every attitude assumed, will stand
justified before the bar of posterity;
yea, more, will be vindicated by the
patriotic intelligence of the present.
We have written new epoch in his
tory, grander, if possible, than the
many that have made this nation
great, and its influence universal. 1t
will constitute the great divide" be-
tween two distinctive eras in our ma
tional development-the one within
ourselves-the other in the nations
broad theatre. National greatness is
attained by great achievements, by en-
rolling on its historic pages the proud
records and inspiring mementos of
lofty patriotism, sublime heroism, and
the blessed martyrdoms and sacrifices
of courageous people. They are hec-
essary for the highest and fullest de-
velopment of national character.
Who is there who does not feel a
thrill of inspiration at the very mem
ton of Bunker Hill, and Lexington, OF
Valley Forge and Yorktown? OF
Vicksburg and Chattanooga, of Get
tysburg and Appomattox? OF San
Juan and Ell Caney, of Manila and San
tiago?
Who would rob posterity of the sa-
cred and imperishable names of WASH
ington and Jackson, of Taylor and
Grant? Who is there today who would
pluck from the armament of national
glory those bright, eternal stars,
Wheeler and Shafter and Roosevelt.
and Sampson, Schley and Dewey?
Who would efface the blood and treas
ure offered on many a field of hero
ism, by eNpunging from our history
such deathless and immortal syno.
nyms of glory.
Touches Expansion.
The fortunes of war abound in sur
prises. Chance sometimes dictates the
course of progress. This time it has
opened to our country the boundless
opportunities of the Orient, and crea-
ted an outpost of civilization that will
in time emancirate the east from the
bondage of barbarism and stagnation.
Civilization must triumph in every
land, and under every sky. Every foot
of fertile soil must eventually come
under the dominion of civilized man.
it is the ,lnwritten but immutable law
of progress. 1t is necessary to satisfy
the equation between Gods bounty
and mans use thereof. You may call
it by whatsoever name you will, ex-
pansion if you please, it must
surely come. The spirit of expansion,
the desire for enlarged national
growth, the reaching out for greater
opportunities, has been the great
boulevard of progress down which
have passed liberty Chris tianity and