The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-24

not be understood as advocating a depart
ure from the old landmarks which have
directed the nations course in its growth
to greatness, and which still point the way
TO its wider development and its more ex-
tended usefulness.
Much is being said of the dangers of
Imperialism. II that term implies the Gre
alton of a vast standing army which shall
be interposed between the people and their
rights as guaranteed by the const itution,
l would say that we want none Of 1t here;
IL 1T means a centralized government with
one-man power, with the states shorn of
their guaranteed authority in the control OF
their domestic affairs, and with a congress
secondary to a central power clothed with
autocratic authority, l would say that the
day has come when the people may well
feel alarm for their security; If 1t means
that We are to exchange an ideal system
OF government, built upon the citizen as
the unit and the hearlhs tone as its most
blessed sanctuary for an experiment in the
turbulent and oppressive methods of other
countries whose people are grooming under
the merciless wheels of The tax Jugger-
maui l would pray that God might divert
1.-THE impending calamity. Weld might we
beware of such a condition.
But 1 have faith in my country Its
green fields and fertile valleys sing the
same sweet songs of liberty That fell upon
the ears of the continental patriots and
inspired their response to the uuSck-step
nope which God hung over their heads
ana anchored in the heavens, that it may
De a perpetual inspira ton, Shines as bright
~ FOR US as DIT lid for them. The compact
OIL the states made by them has been guar
ahteed by succeeding generations and gem
erations yet unborn will take it to their
hearts and defend 1t WITH Their lives
impressed with the security of our free
institutions, therefore, the voice of the pat
riot today will sound like clarion note
aFa
tenance of the country's honor and the de-
tense of its flag. Without fixed and per-
Hlaheht increase of our standing army 10
unnecessary bounds, let us give all the
men and the money required to put down
armed resistance to its supremacy from any
quarter where the flag has a right to speak
the authority of American manhood This
IS not, and in the nature of things it cam
not be, imperialism. 1t does not mean a
centralized government it does not mean
dsregarded congress, it does not mean
ohe-ihah power, 1t does not mean a resort
to European methods as contrary to our
own-H is patrotism-it is the voice of the
man with his hat in his hand
How many Americans are there who
STAND, hgurative1y, with their hats in their
hand' TO the honor of their country and the
glory of dts institutions? Who does NOT fol-
low with patriotic. but pathetic devotion
the hardshfps of the boys who are lined TO-
night IN the TRENCHES in the Philippines.
nghtlng for your flag and for mine, en-
during toll and priavtion and sacrificing
their HVes that they may carry the light of
civilization and the message of American
progress and prosperity, and plant them
upon the battlements of darkness and dis
cord.
After while 1t will all be over. Peace
VIII be won, and then our real work will
begin The school teacher will supplant the
soiuler, ana the caravans of commerce will
De substituted for the caissons of artillery:
our mission will be understood and our eff
forts will not be hindered. Instead of our
arsenals, our manufactures will supply the
tonnage that will make the broad bosom
ol me racine heave in the welcome en-
brace of our extended commerce
And when this Is done when orr x,,Hs
sion shall have been fulfilled, when peace
felgns and law and order are established
when the Sword shall be beat into the
PloWshare and the rays of the tropical
sun shall kiss the fertile fields of the
philippines, smiling in the plentitude of
abundant harvests, and the homes of their
people shaM be merry with the music of
contentment-may we not wonder hat in
hand in humble acknowledgment of divine
providence which "doeth all things WELL
II the immortal Grady was inspired when
ne sa1d Il catch the vision of the republic
Its mighty. forces In balance, and its I'M
speakable glory failing on all its children
working out Its mission under Gods ap-
proving eye, until the dark continents are
opened, and the highways of the earth es-
tablished, and the shadows lifted and the
jargon of nations stilled and the perplexi-
ties of the Babel strafghtened-and under
one language, one liberty and one God, all
the nations of the world, hardening to the
American drum-beat and girding up their
lons, Shall march amid the breaking of the
millennial dawn into the paths of righteous
ness and of peace"