The record-union., 1899-10-03
MANIFEST DESTINY.

There is a good deal of unmeaning
use Of the term manifest destiny just
now, likewise more careless use of it
than is agreeable. But happily it is en-
ployed understandingly and intelligent
ly by most Americans. AS to those
who, wishing the defeat of American
arms and the humiliation Of our cause,
who refer to expressions concerning the
manifest destiny of the nation con-
temptuously, their measure is easily
taken.
That there has been destiny of the
republic from the beginning that has
been manifest to the clear seeing; that
unconscious and irresistible forces have
moved us forward to great ends and for
lofty purposes, we cannot doubt. Per-
haps it is not accurate to say that
these forces are unconscious. Rather
we have in a sense been conscious of
them, we realize their logical results,
and feel that while they are irresistible
we have knowledge of them, and that
it is given to US in degree to make
their application and impetus orderly
and methodical.
Nevertheless there is sufficient in the
growth of the nation, in the expan-
sion Of the principles of human liberty
in the spread of the doctrine Of free
dom of State and of the individual, in
the operation of these principles and
blessings upon others through us, to
that the American nation is the sub
ject of mysterious or providential
forces pushing it forward along the
lines Of a noble destiny, the reward of
imperative duty, despite all we may do,
OF however much we may struggle in
resistance. Treating of manifest des-
tiny of the nation Charles M Harvey,
writing forcibly in the October AT
lantfc," expresses the belief that ex-
pansions and triumphs have in the
lapse of time profoundly changed
American ideas as to this country's ul-
innate place and purpose among the
nations. He adds:
No civilized nation except Russia has
so many inhabitants as the United
States. This country's wealth equals
that of the United Kingdom and
France combined, the nations which
stand second and third respectively on
this roll. In time required for
transit, the Philippines are as near New
York as Missouri was when Jefferson
bought it. Communication by telegraph
with the remote corners of the earl h
is instantaneous Fremont
hosting the Stars and Stripes at San
Francisco in the later forties and look
ing through the Golden Gate at the
broad Pacific, probably asked, rs this
the end of the westward march of the
American racer" Dewey's guns in Ma
Mia Bay on that fateful May day of
1898 were the answer. A new path
finder has blazed new paths to the
spread of American civilization inf1u-
ence and power. 1.-The settlers in Ore
gon will open to us the North Ameri-
can road to India. 1t lies through the
South Pass and the mouth of the Ore
gon." The spirit voiced in these words
of Benton when the nation was striv-
ing for a boundary on the Pacific is
more vital than ever, but the goal has
been advanced. A richer prize than
India lies before US. Dewey has opened
to us, by way of the Philippines, the
gateway to China The worlds future
is in the keeping of three countries
Russia, England and the United States
In the race for universal empire the
two AngloSax nations, whose paths
henceforth are likely to lie parallel,
have an immeasurable superiority
over Russia, and the larger more pro-
gressive, expansive and resourceful
branch of the race is the American
people.
The heir Of all the ages, in the foremost
files of time.