The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-06-02
But though we Il soon be scattered
Like leaves Of autumn days
In thought well be united
In our Aima.mater' praise
NATIONAL EXPANSION - NALEDIC-
TORY.

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Expansion has ever been consistent
with the life aud growth of this Re-
public. Therefore / present to you
tor your consideration this evening no
new policy but at the same time a
subject which Is today the all alb
sorbing question. Every nation has
its great question to decide. Upon
the right decision of these questions
depends the destiny of a nation. They
must be met they cannot be evaded
Our country In her short life has been
called upon to answer not few such
questions. How has she met them
Honestly and humanely. Concerning
the great question which now pre-
sents itself, what shall be our policy
Expansion is consistent with many
of the constituent elements that have
entered into the character Of this
Nation. Expansion is q moral law.
Slavery has hid her face and form
from the sight of the American peO-
Pile. Intemperance IL bound to give
way in its struggle to maintain the
corrupt position it has hitherto held.
Intellectual expansion Is strongly
marked in the history Of this Nation.
There has ever been broadening of
thought, and delving after trHth.
Surely the Nation itself will strive to
be in harmony with those motives
that prompt its existance.
Again we find that expansion is
natural law. AS the oak, strong and
powerful, IL but the out growth of a
life hidden in a little acorn, so has
this Nation grown from small begin
nlngs. What paradox to place an
iron band around young tree, Guilt
vate it and irrigate it and cay: "Thus
far shalt thou grow' For that tree
will either break the band or grow in
spite OF it, Now every living organ.
ism Is subject to the law of growth,
whether plant, animal OF nation. Are
we the United States an exception to
this rule ? Shall we say thus far we
have grown and here attempt to place
limit Nay, but rather let us eX-
pand. We cannot stand still. We
must either grow or die When our
growth ceases than shall we begin to
number the years of our uncessful-
ness. Look at Spain, Egypt, China
and then at Russia, Germany, Eng
land, more elOquently than words do
they declare the eternal truth Of natu-
raj growth. Apply ing the same law
to this Nation the principle Is newt
able.
But there is a higher motive that
should abide in every true Americans
heart than the acquisition of terri
tory or for the sake OF emf ire. If for
this purpose we expand then, indeed
we do have cause for grave appre-
tensions, but if it is in accordance
with the law of Eternal Destiny and
for the sake of humanity, then all is
well.
We did not seek war or conquest.
1t was thrust upon us. AS the news
came that two hundred and fifty
merican souls were hurled into
eternity by treacherous hands, every
American heart was filled with in
dignation and sadness. And yet we
entered upon war not for vengence,
but to relive oppressed humanity,
and this war has brought with its
achievements also its grave RESPONSE
bilities.
Today all eyes are turned toward
America. They are watching us to
see if we fulfill our mission. But what
Is our mission ? Our mission is to
carry the highest type of Christian
civilization the world has ever known
to the uttermOst parts of the earth.
Not to spread creeds and dogmas,
but truth, pure and simple. Can you
doubt our ability to do it? Let us
look at England for moment. She
holds her own in the tropics which
were formerly thought to be the white
mans grave. Her method of dealing
with inferior races is at the founda-
ton education and elevation. There
tenure is in their own eyes to them a
sacred trust for civilization. Their
object is to elevate the natives and
give them the blessings that flow
from their superior knowledge. Can
we charged with the blood OF
liberty, can we who pride ourselves
| the grandest nation that ever existed,
we who claim to be the leader of ma.
tions, we who have followed flag