The record-union., 1899-05-31
DAY IN SACRAMENTO.
ELOQUENT ADDRESSES
By Hon. Elwood Bruner and the
Rev. Father Quinn.

shall we do with them, is the question
of the hour. My answer Is. that lie
who controls the destinies OF NATIONS
has placed them in our hands Tor
good purpose, and that purpose Is TO
plant the banner of civilization In those
unhappy islands, that His sorely snit-
ten people there may enjoy the bless
ings of liberty with us.
But we are told that such a course
tends to imperialism, and is contrary
to the principles of our Government l
do not, and cannot, agree with such
sentiments. For myself, / declare that
it is our duty to ourselves, to humanity
to civilization, to hold every foot of
ground which has been moisteneG with
the blood of our soldiers and sailors,
and over which the Stars and Stripes,
the emblem of liberty, now floats. If it
be Imperialism to wrest from Spain
portion of her possession by the for
tunes of war, then I am am imperial
ist. If it be imperialism to establish a
government founded by humane laws
over people unable to govern them
selves, then, again, am an imperialist.
If it be imperialism in the economy
Of government to extend our trade to
other shores, and to protect it there by
the power of the nation, 1 am an i'm
peTialist
This talk of imperialism is the device
of enemies to the progress of civiliza-
ton. 1 remember that during the war
OF the rebellion, a highly respectable
body of citizens waited upon President
Lincoln and pleaded and demanded
peace at any price," and so now if
such demands are acceded to we will,
as nation, have departed from the
principles enunciated by our forefathers
in the immortal Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and sustained in many bloody
BATTLES from that time to the present
The people of Cuba and Porto Rico and
the Philippines, publicly declaring to
the world their inability to govern
themselves, stinging under the lash of
tyranny, begged and pleaded with the
Government of the United States. or
some other progressive and humane ma
tion, to take them under it's protection.
God, in His wisdom, has seen fit to
place them in our control, and with His
blessing and the approval of our own
conscience We will carry the burden
thus laid upon U.s.
was it imperialism that wrested from
Mexico California, the brightest gem in
the Union of States? Was it imperial
ism to take from the American Indian
the possessions which rightfully belong
ed to him, and which comprises the
greater portion of our entire country?
Ii such be imperialism. it is also des-
tiny, and destiny which the American
people have fulfilled in the interest of
humanity
L am weary of the talk of the men
who are for peace at any price, and
hold them traitors to the Constitution.
to civilization and the principles of lib
erty. In justice and reason. what
other course can we adopt? Ours by
right of war, free by the law of ma
lures God, shall we return them to the
cruel taskmaster from whom they have
SO long prayed delverance? Such an
act would surely destroy the traditions
OF our past and our self respect as a
natlon. Give them away to some other
nation? To which one pray? To Eng
land, France. Germany, Russia. which
one, L say? No, never. When Amer
lea Yields the government of these ISL
ands 1t will be to the islanders them
serves, who, free, contented. prosperous
under our tutelage have learned to
rlghtfully and successfully govern
themselves. When that time comes the
puiaty OF our motives will by our acts
demonstrate to the world the truth of
the claim that American civilization is |
the ideal Of national honor.
mus the year has passed. The glory |
OF american manhood has effaced ev- |
cry trace of bitterness that once exis+- |
- petmeen sections of our broad coun- |
try With tender reverence Northern
hahds viii decorate the grave of tbe |
confederate soldier to-day. Newly |
mace mounds of earth cover the re.
mains of the brave volunteers of /
America -
Here to-day, standing by the blue and
the gray, the old and the new graves |
Oh our heroic dead, we pledge ourselves
anew 10 our country's cause.
Amidst the fragrance of sweet flow
ers we commend their souls to the ton
aer care OF divinity which has called
them home to Himself.
6oW ' steep the brave, who sink to rest
ny, ny an eheir countrys wishes blest.
y " iten spring with dewy fingers cold.
nelurhs ds, TO deck their hallowed mold
Sne tnere shall dress a sweeter sod
nan Fancy's feet have ever trod
By fairy hands their knell is rung:
by forms unseen their dirge is sung:
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their CLAW:
And Freedom shall while repair,
To dwell, weeping hermit, there.