The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-09

anu YET 1t mas IliipOSSti ITO pSCuii+>'iS
den upon US. After the F!Hpnos HAD
nided us in the war against Spain we
could not honorably turn them over TO
Their former masters; We could not leave
them TO be the victims of the arno tous
des' gins of the European nations. and
since We do not desire to make them 4
part of US or ito hold them as SUBJECTS
we propose the only alternative-narnely.
20 give them independence and guar
them against mo.estaton from " t!loese-
When our opponents are unable to ae
renf their uosg.ton by argument they fall
back Upon the assertion that it IS Destiny
and INSIST that we must suarn' TO III. no
matter how much it violates moral PEE
ceptes and our principles of government
This is a comrlacert philosophy bt 90,
I.terates the distraction between right assi
wrong. and makes individuals and naNShs
the hefpeAs victims OF circumstances
Not d stimy.
Destiny is the subterfuge of the inverte-
brate who lacking the courage to oppose
error, seeks some plausible excuse for sup
porting it. Washington sad that the des-
tiny or the RenubLicau form Of government
was deeply Il not finally, staked on the
experiment entrus ted TO the American peo-
pie. How different Washiugtou's definition
of destiny from the Republican definition.
The Republicans say that this nation Is In
the hands of destiny: Washington believed
that not only the destiny OF our own ma
ton. but the destiny of the republican
form of government throughout the world
was entrusted TO American hands WASH
inston was right. The destiny or this re-
nu1iic < In the naniis Of Is own people,
mon the success OF the experiment here
rests the hope of humanity No exterior
force can disturb this republic, and no
foreign influence should be permitted TO
change its course. What the future has IN
store for this nation no one has authority
TO declare. but each individual mas MS
own idea OF the nations mission, and ne
owes it 10 his country as well as 10 him
self 10 contribute as best he may 10 the
fulfiLmsnt of thar mission.
Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen OF 1ho
Committee: L can never fully discharge
The deb. Of gratitude which | owe 10 my
eountrymen for the honors which they nave
so generously bestowed upon me. but. sirs.
whether il be my lot to occupy the hiSn
office for which the convention mas haliieo
me- or to spend the remainder of my days
in private life. it shall De my constant am
btt!on and my controlling purpose 20 d,a Ia
realizing the high IDEAS Oh lnose "Aos'
wisdom and courage and sacrifices oroush-
this republic into existence.
1 can conceive of a national destiny suI-
passing the glories of the present and the
biIisies of to-day and measures up u .ae
possibilities of the future. Behold u re-
public resting securely upon the noun ts'.n
OF eternal truth-a republic appiSihs -,
practice and proclaimiHg 10 tHs "osio
the seff-evident proposition that al hiotI
are created equal: that they are eiu""so
with iualienable rights: thai governments
arc instituted among men TO secure THESE
riob,s. that governments deserve their
irs, ,o,vers from the consent OF the gov
- Rahofd . republic in wn-ca civii
ard ra,faious liberty stimulate all 10 ear
,Ia.t o,5a,vo- and in which the law re-
s,rai,e averv hand uplitted for neigh
49, i,t,,rv-a republic in which every
cfti1s, is a sovereign, but in which no
~. cares 10 wear a crown Behold
,f,Iic standing erect. while empires
III sround are bowed beneath the weight
- ,E,efr own arrnaments-a republic whose
so,, * loved while other flags are only
feared. Behold y republic increasing IA
nonulatfou In wealth, IN strength and in
influence. solving the problems OF civil
izatfon and fastening the coming OF an
universal brotherhood-a republic which
shakes thrones and disSolves aristocra-
cies by it's silent example and gives light
and Inspiration TO those who sit In dark
ness. Behold republic gradually but
surely becoming, the supreme moral fac
tor in the worlds progress and the ac-
cepted arbiter OF the worlds disputes
n republic whose history. like the path
of the Just. IS as the shining light that
shineth more and more unto the perfect