The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-11

should we see, as we saw IN the Spanish
war, major generals, in command Oh
divisions, who had never before conf
manded three companies together III
the field. Yet incredible to relate, the
recent congress has showed queer III
ability to learn some of Uhe lessons ol
war There We're large bodies OIL men
in both branches who opposed the Gee
laration of war, who opposed the ratlp-
cation of peace, who opposed the up
building OF the army, and who even
opposed the purchase of armor at q
reasonable price for the battleshlps ana
cruisers, thereby putting an absolute
stop to the building Of any new night
ing ships for the navy.
In the West Indies and the Phlllp-
pines alike we are confronted by most
difficult problems. 1t is cowardly to
shrink from solving them in the proper
way; for solved they must be, if not
by us, then by some stronger and more
manful race; if we are too weak, roo
selfish or too foolish to solve them,
some bolder and ADLER poJple must un-
dertake the solution. Personally, L am
far too firm a believer in the greatness
of my country and the power OF my
countrymen to admit for one moment
that we shall ever be driven to the ig-
noble alternatives.
Lie ~ ODIClllo et1 c QllLCAGlI AbA tiAS
different islands. Porto Rico Is not
large enough to stand aione. We must
govern it wisely and well, primarily IN
the interest of it's own people. Cuba is,
in my judgment, entitled ultimately
to settle for itself whether it shall be
an independent state or an integral
portion Of the mightiest of republics.
But until order and stable liberty are
secured, we must remain in the island
70 fxaea ia, 20 il1,Tc~
ment, moderation and courage must be
shown by our military and civil repre-
sentatives in keeping the island paci-
fed The Philippines offer a yet graver
problem. Their population includes half
caste and native Christians, Warlike
Moslems, and wild Pagans. Many OF
their people are utterly unfit for self
government, and show no signs of be-
coming fit. Others may in time become
fit, but at present can only take part
in Self-goVernment under q wise super
vision at once firm and beneficent. We
have driven Spanish tyranny from the
islands. Ii we now let it be replaced BY
savage anarchy, our work has been
for harm. and rot for good. L have
scant patience with those who fear to
undertake the task of governing the
Philippines, and who openly avow that
they do fear to undertake 1t, or that
they SIlIlllh lIOll II DGCdG6G VI TIE CA
pense and trouble; but 1 have even
scanter patience with those who make
pretense humanitarianism to hide
and cover their timidity, and who
cant about liberty" and the consent
Of the governed" in order to excuse
themselves for their unwillingness TO
play the part of men.
L preach to you, then, my country
men, that our country calls not for the
life of ease, but for the life of strenu-
Gus endaaYor. The twentieth century
looms before us big with the fate OF
many nations. If we stand idly by, if
we seek merely swollen, slothful ease,
and ignoble peace, if we shrink from
the hard contests where men must win
at hazard of their lives and at the
risk of all they hold dear, then tha
| holder and stronger peoples will pass
us by and will win for themselves the
| domination of the world. Let US there
| fore boldly face the life or strife, reso-
Lutte to do our duty well and manfully;
resolute to uphold righteousness by
deed and by word, resolute to be both
honest and brave, to serve high ideals
yet to use practical methods. Above all
let us shrink from no strife, moral OF
| physical, within or without the nation
| provided we are certain that the strife
is justified; for it is only through
strife, through hard and dangerous en-
deavor that we shall ultimately win
| the goal Of true national greatness.