The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-17
A MILITARY REPUBLIC.

7 Va
and become that most faulty of all forms OF govern
ment military republic, our history at least IS
not wanting in noble declarations of higher pur-
nose lust what we are doing now, or that which 1t
is claimed we must do because fate and providence
order it has been consistently reprehended by Amer
can patriots from the beginning.
In 1871 Henry Clay, in speech upon the coming
war with Great Britain and its alternative OF an al
lance said:
ENGLAND is said to be fighting in behalf of the
world and shall We is asked, attempt to weaken her
exertons? IT, indeed the aim of the French En-
neror be universal dominion, how nobler is the cause
presented to British vaor! But how is her philan-
thropic purpose be achieved? Is it by scrupuous
observance OF the rights of Others by respecting that
code of public morals which she processes to vndicate
and by abstaining from sef-aggrandizement? Then in
deed would she command the sympathies of the
world What are called upon to do by those who
would engage our feelings and wishes in her be-
half? To bear the actual cuffs of her arrogance that
we may escape chimerical French subugationl We
are invited conjured to drink the potion of British
poison, actually presented to lips, that we may
avoid the imperial dose prepared by perturbed mag
nations. We called upon to submit to debase-
ment, dishonor and Disgrace to bow the neck to
royal insoence course of preparation for manly
resistance to Gallo invasion! Let us come home to
our own history; it not by submission that our
fathers achieved our independence"
In his speech on the Greek revolution OF 1924 Mr.
Clay said: "If it possible for republicans to
cease to be the champions of human freedom and if
Federalists became its only supporters would cease
tc be republican; I would become Federalist"
In his speech at Baltimore in 1925 on Enthusiasm
for Military Renown" he said: Cromwell and
Caesar have recently found apoogists The judgment
of centuries reversed long established naxms are
overthrown, and the only genuine lovers of liberty
were the Philips, the Caesars, the Cromwels, the
Mariuses and the Syllas OF former ages! 1t is time
for slumbering patriotism to awake when such doc
trnes as these are put forth from the Capitol and from
popular assemblies. Regardless of all imputations
and proud OF the opportunity of free and unrestraned
intercourse with my fellow citizens l would address
every man in the Union and entreat them by their
love of country by their love OF liberty for the sake
of themselves and their postery-in the name
OF their venerated ancestors the OF the human
family deeply interested in the fuhment of the trust
committed to their hands, to pause. would PROSTATE
myself before Divinity and mplore him. if it be neces-
sary to chastse this people with the rod OF his venge
ance to visit our beloved land with pestience with
famine with any scourge other than military rule,
blind and needless enthusiasm for mere military re-
nown.
Alter tour score and eight years the situation OF 1871
is repeated Now England is urging us to repudiate
pledges, purposes our history; to cast over
board the chart OF the Declaration OF Independence
and the compass OF the constitution, silence the
pleadngs OF conscience and jeer at past profess
sions, because if do not the Continental nations of
Europe will combine against u.s.
Appeals are made to our cupidity, to our CONNER
cal instincts to our lust of power and hunger for
conquest when there should be simple measure and
a plain way to test course and determine our
policy II require the turning OF the Declaration of
independence to the wall and the assumption by the
Government OF duties for which the constitution de-
MES to it the needed authority, argument OF
pediency temptations OF glory and ambition
should lure to such monstrous crime the re-
pudation OF history and rejection of the prn-
cples which have made great. We live with
out the applause OF nations given to departure from
Our traditions and go up the high path
marked out by the fathers, though the world in arms
stand against But institutions cannot survive
the reputation of their foundation. nor can liberty
be turned into a taskmaster long exist among a
people who claim for themselves while they snatch
it from others who, moved by example, have as
PRED to initiate it and be free.