The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-05-04
AMERICAS MISSION.


"America's Mission" in part as fol-
iows:-When the advocates of imperl-
alism find it impossible to reconcile n
colonial policy with the principle of
our government or with the canons or
morality; when they are unable to de-
fend it upon the ground of religious
duty or pecuniary profit, they fali
back in helpless despair upon the
assertion that it is destiny
"The people have not voted for I'M
perialsm no national convention has
declared for 1t; no Congress has passed
upon 1t. TO whom, then, has the fu-
ture been revealed? Whence this voice
of authority? We can all prophesy,
but our prophecies are merely guesses,
colored by our hopes and our surround
ings. Avarice paints destiny with
dollar mark before it militarism equips
1t with the sword.
"IIe is the best prophet who re-
cognizing the omnipotence of truth,
comprehends most clearly the great
forces which are working out the pro-
gress not of one party, not of one ma
ton, but of the human race.
History is replete with predictions
which once wore the hue of destiny
but which failed of fulflment because
those who uttered them saw too small
an arc of the circle of events.
eve havereached another crisis. The
ancient doctrine of imperialism banish-
ed from our land more than century
ago, has re-crossed the Atlantic and
challenged democracy to mortal COM
bat upon American soil. Whether the
Spanish war shall be known in history
as n war for liberty or as war of CON
L.; ,l,al pl-
main homogeneous republic or be-
come heterogeneous empire-the
questions must be answered by the
American people-when they speak,
and not until then, will destiny be re-
vealed.
Destiny is not a matter of chance,
1t is matter of choice; it is not a
thing to be waited for, it is a thing to
be achieved
"No one can see the end from the
beginning, but every one can make
his course an honorable one from be-
ginning to end by adhering to the
right under all circumstances. Wheth-
er Il man steals much or little may de-
pend upon his opportunities, but
whether he steals at all depends upon
his own volition
$50 with our nation. If we embark
upon a 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 can any
one estimate the cost immediate and
remote, to the nations purse and to
the nations character; but whether
we shall enter upon such career is
question which the people have
right to decide for themselves.
"Unexpected events may retard or
advance the nations growth, but the
nations purposes determine its des-
tiny.
what is the nations purpose? That
purpose is set forth clearly and un-
mistakably in the first sentence of the
Constitution, where it will be seen
that one of the main purposes of the
founders of our Government was to
secure for themselves and for prosper
ity the blessing of liberty.
"That purpose has been faithfully
followed up to this time. Our states
men have opposed each other upon
economic questions, but they have
agreed in defending government
as the controlling national idea. They
have quarreled among themselves
over tariff and finance, but they have
been united in their opposition to an
enlarging alliance with any European
power.
Under this policy our nation has
grown in numbers and in strength.
Under this policy its beneficent inau-
ence has encircled the globe. Under
this policy the taxpayers have been
spared the burden and the menace of
large military establishment, and
the young men have been 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-
pendence; their hearts have renewed
their vows to free institutions, and
their voices have praised the fore
fathers whose wisdom and courage
and patriotism made it possible for
each succeeding generation to repeat
the words, My country tbs of thee,
sweet land of liberty, of thee | sing
This sentiment was well-nigh uni
versal until a year ago. 1t was to
this sentiment that the Cuban insur-
gents appealed; ii was this sentiment
that impelled our people to enter into
war with Spain. Have the people so
changed within a few short months
that they are willing to apologize for
the War of the Revolution and force
upon the Filiplnos the same system of
government against which the colon
lists protested with fire and sword?
"The hour of temptation has come.
but temptations do not destroy: they
merely test the strength of individ-
uals and nations; they are stumbling
blocks or stepping stones; they lead to
infamy or fame, according to the use
made of them.
IF ! mistake not the sentiment of
the American people they will spurn
the bribe of Imperialism, and, by re-
sisting temptation. win such victory
as has not been won since the battle
OF Yorktown. Let 1t be written of
the United States Behold a republic
that took up asma to aid a neighbor.
ing people, struggling to be free; a re.
public that, In the progress of the
war, helped distant races whose
wrongs were not In contemplation
when hostilities began; a republic
that when peace was restored turned
q deaf ear to the clamorous voice Of
greed and to those borne down by the
weight of foreign yoke spoke the
welcome words, Stand up; be free
LET this be the record made on his
tory's page, and the silent example of
this republic, true to its principles In
the hour Of trial, will do more to ex-
tend the area of self-government and
Of civilization than cOuld bq done bV