The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-23

OUT uURC8 anu VUI cVIiOukitiitfBcsl VIM =
opinion q what H. to. be ID half wish and
hsjf environment Avarice paints destiny
with a dollar mark before It, mllitarism
equips II with q sword.
"He Il the best prophet who recognizing
the omnipotcnce Of truth. comprehends
most clearly the great forces which are
working out tho progress, not of one
party, not Of one nation, but of the human
race. -.
History is repiete with predictions
which once wore the hue sf destiny, but
which failed of fulflllment because those
who uttered them saw too small an arc
OF the circle OF events. When Pharaoh pnr-
sued the fleeing 1sraelites to the edge of
the Red sea he was confident that their
bondage would he renewed and that they
would again make bricks without straw.
but destiny was not revealed until Moses
and his followers reached the further shore
dry shod and tho waves rolled over the
horses and chariots of the Egyptians.
When Belshazzar, on the last night OF his
reign, led his thousand lords into the
Babylonian banquet hall and sat down to
a table glittering with vessels of silver and
gold he felt sure of his kingdom for many
years to come, but destiny was not re-
vealed until the hand wrote upon the wall
those awe-inspiring words, Meme, meme,
tekel upharsin.' When Abderrahman swept
northward with his conquering hosts his
imagination saw the Crescent triumphant
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
toriots from Marengo. from Tim and from
Austerltz he thought himself the child of
destiny. but destiny was not revealed until
Blucher's forces Joined the army of Well
jngton and the vanquishcd Corsican began
his melancholy march to st. Helena. When
The red coats of George Ill routed the New
Englanders at Lexington and Bunker HUI
there rose before the British sovereign
visions of colonies taxed without repre-
sentation and drained of their wealth by
foreign made laws, but destiny was not
revealed until the surrender of CORVALLIS
completed the work begun at Independence
hall and ushered into existence a govern
ment deriving its just powers from the
consent of the governed.
We have reached another crisis. The
ancient doctrine of Imperialism. banished
from our land more than century ago,
has recrossed the Atlantic and challenged
democracy TO mortal combat upon Amer
lean soil Whether the Spanish war shall
be known in history az war for liberty
or as war OF conquest whether the
principles of self-goyernment shall be
strengthened or abandoned; whether this
Nation shall remain homogeneous repub-
lie or become q heterogeneous empire
these questions must be answered by the
American people-when they speak and
not until then, will destiny be revealed
Destiny is not matter OF chance it is
matter of choice IL Is not a thing to be
waited for, it Is thing to be achieved.
No one can see the end from the be-
ginning. but every one can make his course
an honorable one from beginning to end
by adhering to the right under all cir
cumstances. Whether q man steals much
Il. ann mi
ties, but whether he steals at ali depends
upon his own Volition.
So with our Nation. II we embark upon
a career OF conquest, no one can tell how
many Islands we may he able to sieze os
how many races we may be able to sub
1uBatei neither can any one estimate The
cost, immediate and remote. TO the ma
ions purse ana to the nations character
but whether We shall enter upon such
career Is a question which the people have
u right to decide for themselves
Unexpected events may retnrd or ad-
vance the nations growth hut the ma
tluI 5 purpose determines it's destiny
What Is the nations purpose That
purpose is set forth clearly and unmis-
tskabiy In the first sentence OF the con
stitution:
We the people of the United States.
In order to form more perfect union,
establish Justice, Insure domestic tran
guilty. provide for the common defense.
promote the general welfare and secure
me blessings of liberty to ourselves fHd
10 our posterity, do ordain and establish
This constitution for the United States of
America
II win he seen that one Of the main
purposes of the founders OF our govern
ment was to secure for themselves and
LOT postefity the blessings Of liberty
That purpose has been faithfully fol-
lowed up to this time, Our statesmen have
opposed each other upon economic meg
Mons, nut they have agreed in defending
seii-soNernment as the controlling Nh
tional idea. They have auarreled among
themselves over tariff and fInanoe nut
lhey nave been united in their opnosiiIs,
10 an entangling alliance with any Euro
pean power
j. pnder this policy our Nation has grown
policy Its benehcent influence has encirciaS
tne globe Under this policy the taxpay
ers nave been spared the burden md tha
menace OF large military estnblisbment
ana the young men have been taught thc
arts OF peace rather than the scienca or
war. On each returning Fourth of IuIv
our people have met to ualehrate ,ha
signing or the declaration of iudcpendence.
.helr hearts nave renewed their yows 10
Tree institutions and their voices have
palseu tne iorefathers whose wisdom and
courage and patriotism made il possIhln |
ioF each succeeding generation 10 repeat
the words; My country, It's of thee,
swee, land Of liberty. of thee / sing
This sentiment was well universal nm
~ year ago. II was to thi, sentiment
mat Inc Cuban insurgents appeaIed n I
was this sentiment that impelled olr noo,
PIE 10 enter into war with Spain. Have |
me PEOPLE so changed within few short
months that they are now willing Ia apolo.
gize Tor the war OF the revolution ana
FORCE upon the PHILIPPINES the same sys-
tenn OF government against which ihA
coionisis protested with IRE and sword.
The hour of temptation has come. ANT
temptations do not destroy they merely
test the strength of individuals and ma +
tons; they are stumbling blocks or stem
ping stones; they lead 10 infamy or fame. |
according 10 the use made OF them.
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allan
served together In The Continental army
and both were offered British gold. Arnojd I
yielded TO the temptation and made bis
name II synonym for treason: Allan re-.
sisted and lives in the affections OF his
countrymen,
Our Nation is tempted to depart from,
Its standard of morality and aiiopt n
policy OF criminal aggression hut, viii
1t Weld?
"lf mistake not the sentiment of the
American people they will spurn the briba
81 Imperialism. and. by resisting tempta-
lion, win such victory as has not been
won since the battle Of Yorktown Let II I,