The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-23
CRISIS AT HAND, SAYS BRYAN.
Continued from Fifth Page)

CA04S iHdAtu 10 9SN IAElcA4ds w AAth tAAN 49,
coats of George the Third, routed the
New Englanders at Lexington and Bun
ker Hin there rose before the British SOW
ereign visions of colonies taxed without
representa- ton and drained of their wealth
by foreign made laws, but destiny was not
revealed until the surrender of Cornwall
its completed the work begun at lnde-
pendence Hall and ushered into existence
a government deriving its just powers
from the consent of the governed.
Imperialism VS.. Democracy.
I'VE have reached another crisis. The
ancient doctrine of Imperialism, bsnished
from our land more than a century ago,
has recrossed The Atlantic and challenged
democracy to mortal combat upon Amer
lean soil Whether the Spanish war shah
be known in history as a war for liberty
or as a war of conquest: whether the
principles of self-government shall be
strengthened or abandoned; whether this
nation shall remain a homogeneous re-
public or become a Heterogeneous empire
these questions must be answered by thes
American people-when they speak, and
not until then, will destiny be revealed.
Destiny is not a matter of chance; it
is a matter of choice; it is not a thing
to be waited for, it is a thing to be
achieved.
mo one can see the end from the be-
ginning, but everyone can make his course
an honorable one from beginning to end,
by adhering to the right under all circum-
stances. Whether a man steals much or
little may depend upon his opportunities,
but whether he steals at all depends upon
his own volition.
so with our nation. If we embark
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 sub
jugate; neither can any one estimate the
cost, immediate and remote, 10 the ma
tons purse and to the nations character,
but whether We shall enter upon such
career is a question which the people have
a right to decide for themselves.
The Nations Purpose.
Unexpected events may retard or ad-
vance the nations growth, but the nations
purpose determines it's destiny.
What is the nations purpose? That
purpose is set forth clearly and unmistak-
ably in the first sentence of the constitu-
ton:
1--WE, the people of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect union,
establish Justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common de-
Tense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and to our posterity, DO or
dain and establish this constitution for the
United States of America.
'It will be seen that one of the main
purposes of the founders of our govern
ment was to secure for themselves and
for posterity the blessings of liberty.
'HThat purpose has been faithfully fol-
lowed up to this time. Our statesmen
have opposed each other upon economic
question. but they have agreed in detend-
ing self-government as the controlling ma
tional idea. They have quarreled among
themselves over tariff and finance, out
they have been united in their opposition
to an entangling alliance with any EURO
pean power.
Policx Has Brought Growth.
under this policy our nation has grown
in numbers and in strength. Ohuer inns
nodcv it's benefcent influence has enclr-
cled the globe. Under this policy the tax
| navers have been spared the burden and
| che menace of a large military estap-
| lishment and the young men nave peen
! taught the arts of peace, rather than the
| science of war. On each returning Fourth
| of July our people have met to celebrate
the signing of the Declaration OF Inde-
nendence; their hearts have renewed their
VOWS 70 free institutions and their voices
nave praised the forefathers whose wis
dom and courage and patriotism made It
| Dossibe for each succeeding generation
to repeat the words
my country, tits of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
OF thee 1 sing.
'eThis sentiment was well universal I'M
til a year ago. 1t was to this sentiment
that the Cuban insurgents appealed; it
was this sentiment that impelled our peo-
ole to enter into war with Spain. Have
the people so changed within few short
months that they are now willing to apol-
he war IF rpWOlutiOn and
force upon the Filipinos the same system
of government against which the colonists
protested with fire aud sword.
The Hour of Temptation.
1.-THE hour of temptation has come, but
foundations do not destroy; they merely
test the strength of individuals and ma
lions; they are stumbling blocks or STEP
ping stones; they lead to infamy or fame,
according to the use made of them.
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allan serv-
ed together in the continental army, and
both were offered British gold. Arnold
yielded to the temptation and made his
name a synonym for treason; Allan re-
sisted and lives in the affections of his
| countrymen.
sOur nation is tempted to depart from
its standard of morality and adopt pol
| lev of criminal aggression But, will it
! yield?
If mistake not lIle sentiment OF the
American people they will spurn the bride
of Imperialism. and, by resisting tempta-
| ton, win such victory has not been
| won since the battle of Yorktown Let
| it be written of the United States: Be
! hold a republic that took up arms to
! aid a neighborng people, struggling to
be free; a republic that, in the progress
of the war helped distant races whose
wrongs were not in contemplation when
hostilites began; a republic that when
| peace was restored, turned a deaf ear to
! the clamorous voice of greed and to those
borne down by the weight of a foreign
yoke spoke the welcome words, Stand up.
] be free.
LET this be the record made on his
torys page and the silent example of this
republic, true to its principles in the hour
! of trial will do more 10 extend the area
! of self-government and of civilization than
could be done by all the wars of con-
quest that we could wage in generation.
Already "A world Power.
"Tke forcible annexation of the Phil
| ---------------------------