Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-03-01
Mr.. Bryan on Destiny"

ton on the 22nd OF February. The
following are some of his brilliant re-
marks:
1--WE have reached another crisis.
The ancient doctrine of Imperialism,
banished from our land more than a
century ago, has recrossed the Allan.
tic and challenged democracy to NOR.
tai combat upon American soil.
Whether the Spanish war shall be
known in history as war for liberty,
or as war of conquest; whether the
principles of self government shall be
strengthened or abandoned; whether
this nation shall remain a homoge
neous republic or become heterogene.
Gus 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:
1T is a matter of choice; it is not
thing to be waited for; it is a thing
to be achieved.
"No one can see the end from the
beginning, but anyone can make bis
course an honorable one from begin
ming to end by adhering to the right
under all circumstances. Whether a
man steals much or little NAV de-
pend upon his opportunities, but
whether he steals at all depends upon
his own volition.
80 with our nation. If we EN-.
bark upon career of conquest no
one can tell how many islands We
may be able to seize or how many
races we may be able to subiugate:
neither eau anyone estimate the cost.
immediate or remote. to the nations
purse and to the nations character:
but whether we shall enter upon such
3 career is a question which the peo-
pie have right to decide for them
selves.
The nations purpose determines
its destiny. What is the nations
purpose: 1t is set forth clearly and
Enthusiastically in the first sentence of
the constitution:
1--WE, the people of the United
States, IN order to form a more per
feet union, establish Justice. insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the gener-
al welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty 10 ourselves aud TO our pos
terity, do ordain and establish this
constitution for the United States of
America
"Our nation is tempted to depart
from its standard of morality and
adopt policy of criminal aggres
sion But will it yield?
1.-The forcible annexation of the
Philippine Islands is not necessary to
make the United States a world pow
er. For over ten decades our nation
has been u world power. During it's
brief existence it has exerted upon
the human race an influence more
potent for good than all the other
nations of the earth combined. and
it has exerted that influence without
sword or gatling gun.
"Mexico and the republics of Cen
trial and South America testify to the
benign influence of our institutions,
while Europe aud Asia give evidence
of the working of the leaven of self
government. In the growth of de
mocracy we observe the triumphant
march of an ldea-an idea that would
be weighted down rather than aided
by the armOr and weapons proffered
by Imperialism.
"Much has been said of late about
Anglo Saxon civilization. Far be it
from me to detract from the service
rendered to the world by the sturdy
race whose language We speak.
"Fhe union of the Angle and the
Saxon formed Il new aud valuable
type, but the process of race evolu.
ton was not completed when the An
gle and Saxon met. A still later
type has appeared which is superior
to any which has existed heretofore:
and with this new type will come IA
higher civilization than any which
has preceded it. Great has been the
Greek, the Latin, the Slav, the Celt.
the Teuton and the Aug 10 Saxon, but
greater than any of these is the Amer
lean, In whom are blended the yir-
tues of them all
Civil and religious liberty, uni
versal education aud the right to par
tIcipate, directly or through represen-
tatiVes chosen 10y themselves, in all
the affairs of government-these give
to the American citizen an opportu-
nifty and an inspiration which can be
found nowhere else.
STANDING upon the vantage ground
already gained, the American people
can aspire to grander destiny than
has opened before any other race.
Gang Saxon civilization has
taught the individual to protect his
own rights; American civilization
will teach him to respect the rights
of others. Anglo Saxon civilization
hus tauohf tho inJ;y;dral a. Il