The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-04
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''Out OF these recent events have come
to the United States grave trials and re-
sponsibilities. AS 1t was the Nations war
so are it's results the Nations problem.
Its solution rests upon us ALL 1t is too
serious 10 stifie. 1t Is too earnest for re-
pose. No phrase or catch word can cancel
the sacred obligation IL involves. No use
OF epithets, no aspersion of motives by
those who differ viii contribute to that
sober judgment so essential TO right con-
clusion.
mo political outcry can abrogate our
treaty of peace with Spain or absolve US
from its solemn engagements 1t Is the peo
pies question, and will be, until its deter
mination is written out in their enlightened
verdict We must choose between manly
doing and base desertion. 1T will never be
the latter 1t must be soberly settled in JUS
tice and good conscience. and it will be.
Righteousness, which exateth nation,
must control in its solution. No great emer-
gency has arisen in this Nations history
and progress which has not been met by
the sovereign people with high capacity.
with ample strength and with unfinching
stability 10 every honorable obligation.
PATRIOTISM ABOVE PARTISANSHIP.
"Partisanship can hold few Of us against
solemn public duty We have seen this so
often demonstrated in the past as to mark
unerringly what it will be In the future.
The national sentiment and the national
than now. There has been reunion Of the
people around the holy altar consecrated
to country, newly sanctified by common
sacrifices. The followers of Grant and Lee
have fought under the same flag and fallen
for the same faith. Party lines have
loosened and the ties of Union have been
rooted in the hearts of the American peo-
pie. Political passion has altogether sub
sided and patriotism glows with inextin-
guishable fervor in every home in the land
The flag has been sustained distant
seas and islands by the men of all parties
and sections and creeds and races and ma
tionalities and its stars are only those of
radiant hope to the remote peoples over
whom Ii floats.
There can be no Imperialism. Those
who fear are against 1T. Those who have
faith in the Republic are against It, So
that there is universal adherence for it
and unanimous opposition to it. Our only
difference is that those who do not agree
with US have no confidence in the virtue
or capacity or high purpose or good faith
of this free people as civilizing agency
while we believe that the century of free
government which the American people
have enjoyed has not rendered them faith
less and irresolute, but has fitted them for
the great task of lifting up and assisting to
better conditions those distant peoples
who have through the issue Of battle be-
come our wards. Let us fear not There
is no occasion for faint hearts, no excuse
for regrets. Nations do not grow in strength
and the cause of liberty and law is not
advanced by the doing Of easy things. The
harder the task the greater will be the
result, the benefit and the honor. To doubt
our power to accomplish II Is to lose faith
in the soundness and strength of our popu-
lar institutions. The liberators will never
become the oppressors. A self-governed
people will never permit despotism In any
government which they foster and defend
Gentleman, we have the new care and
cannot shift 1t. And, breaking up the camp
of ease and isolation, let us bravely, hope
fully and soberly continue the march of
faithful service and falter not until the
work is done. 1t is not possible that
seventy-five millions of American freemen
are unable to establish liberty and justice
and good government In our new pos
sessions. The burden is our opportunity
The opportunity is greater than the bur-
den. May God give US strength to bear
the one and wisdom so to embrace the other
as to carry to odr distant acquisitions the
guarantees of life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness
President Mckinley read his speech. 1t
was greeted with applause throughout His
reference to the maintenance of the gold
standard. the open door and the absence of
entanglements caused great applause.
When he said seventy-five million freemen
could not fail to establish liberty and
justice and good government in the new
possessions, there was tremendous ap-
plause.