The times., 1899-07-04
TUESDAY, JULY 4. 1899.
The History of a Year.


One year ago we were not the potent
factor in the worlds affairs that we are
today We had not taken our place at
head OF the procession of those great ma
tions which are carrying the human family
10 that high destiny marked out by the
supreme intelligence that controls the
universe We were not then leading the
vanguard OF civilization across the bar
riers to the very door of pagan Asia. We
had not even then impressed upon Europe
that our position in the New World was
not only that which is defined by the let
ter of the Monroe doctrine. but also the
spirit of that enunciation-that we are the
protector of the weak against the strong.
the defender of right against wrong. the
hope and refuge of the oppressed in every
land, and above and beyond all that we are
the masters of our fate.
Dewey's amazing victory at Manila had
opened thee eyes of the doubling world TO
the prowess of our arms, and Schley's
wonderful performance at Santiago had
emphasized the lesson taught by Dewey,
that American valor and skill were equal
to any emergency that might arise. But
the war with puny, palsied, jaded Spain
was still technically in progress. The
Madrid Government was still hoping against
hope that some such desperate spirit as
that which early in the century had die
tated the Holy Alliance would assert itself
in Europe and bring relief TO her shat
tered arms and wasted treasure. But Eu-
rope stood stupefied in the presence of the
marvellous feats OF our prowess and par
alyZed by the wondrous spectacle of
a conquering nation holding out to the
conquered fee the olive branch of peace in
the cause OF humanity-of a great people
coming through the hell of war with
soul unscathed by the roaring flames
OF hate and passion. The Old World
and its old systems had at last been
taught the lesson that a people is emo
bled by self government that back OF con-
stitutions there is a spirit broader and
higher than written laws. that freedom is
a better safeguard of government than be-
dizened armies and powerful fleets, that
the government which rests in the hearts
and minds of its people has foundation
as enduring as the sun.
But even though the war with Spain was
practically over one year ago today and
the world was ready to acknowledge the
overmastering power of our strength at
arms, neither the mass of the people at
home nor abroad had an adequate eoncep-
tion OF the responsibilities its ultimate re-
suits would entail upon the nation. They
have imposed upon US the necessity of an
enlargement of our system so as to in-
clude within cur sovereignty alien races
occupying territory far removed from
our shores. They have stretched our do
main from Porto Rico to the Philippines.
They have added to our population more
than twelve million people. They have
extended our Federal authority from Wash
ington nearly half way around the globe.
They have sent our soldiers to Cuba to
preserve order that the Cubans may have
an opportunity TO establish free ciyil gov
ernment They have called our fighting
men and ships into the mellow glow of
Oriental civilization to subdue Insurrec-
tion and found modern social order upon
the wrecks OF old systems.
All of these responsibilities are ours.
They come unbidden. They were hurled
upon us by the hand of fate. We shall
not shirk them at the behest of hysteri-
cal timidity at home or the threatening
gestures of the mailed fist abroad The
moral obligation involved is exalting to
American citizenship. The economic CUES
t;ons involved are stimulating to Ameri-
can energy. thrift. and enterprise.
The Fourth OF July 1899. is the most
glorious day in our history. 1t has shown
US the ripening fruits of our courage and
valor OF a year ago. The young American
just now entering upon career of ae-
tivity has a greater stimulus to stir him
on TO big deeds than his father or his
grandfather had. He is going to witness
and feel the thrill OF one of the greatest
history making epochs since the world be-
gan. There was never before time when
one should feel as proud of being al
American citizen.