The Delawarean., 1900-08-11
DESTINY THE FINAL JUSTIFICATION
Offered by the II 4pubIicnns for the Situa-
ton in the Philippines.

ton i'll the Philippines.
When our opponents are unable to
defend their position by argument
they fall back upon the assertion that
it is destiny. and insist that we must
submit to it, no matter how much it
violates moral precepts and our prin-
ciples of government. This is com
placent philosophy. It obliteratcs the
distinction between right and wrong
and makes individuals ana nations the
helpless victims of circumstances.
Destiny is the subterfuge of the in
vertebrate, who. lacking the courage
to oppose error, seeks some plausible
excuse for supporting it. Washington
said that the destiny Of the Republican
form of government was deeply. if
not finally, staked on the experiment
entrusted to the American people.
How different Washington's definition
of destiny from the Republican defini-
ton. The Republicans say that this
nation is in the hands of destiny;
Washington believed that not only the
destiny of our own nation but the
destiny of the Republican form of gov
ernment throughout the world was en-
trusted to American hands. Washing
ton was right. The destiny of this re-
public is in the hands of its own peo-
pie, upon the success of the expert
ment here rests the hope of humanity.
No exterior force can disturb this re-
public, 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 de-
clare. but each individual has his own
idea Of the nations mission ana he
owes it TO his country rs we'll MS to
himself to contribute rs best he may
to tile fulfllmcnt Of that mission
Mr.. Chairman and GentlcileH of tho
Committee: | cam never fully dis
charge tho don't cf gratitude which
owe to ny countYymcn for the hopors
which they have 50 generously he
slowed rpon me; hut. sirs. whether it
be my lot to occupy the high office for
which the convention has named me
or to spend the remainder of my DAYS
in private life, il shall he my constant
ambition and my controlling purpose
to aid in realizing the high ideals Of
those whose wisdom and courage and
sacrifices brought this republic into
existence.
| can conceive of a national destiny
surprising the glorieS of the present
and the pasta destiny which meets
the responsibilities of today and meas
ures up the possibilities of the future.
Behold Il republic, resting securely
upon the foundation stones quarried
by revolutionary patriots from the
mountain of eternal truth-a republic
applying in practice and proclaimng
to the world the self-evident PROPOSE
tion-that all men are created equal;
that they are endowed with inalienable
rights; that governments are instituted
among men to secure these rights;
that governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned. Behold a republic in which
civil and religious liberty stimulate all
to earnest endeavor, and in which the
law restraints every hand uplifted for
neighbours injury-a republic in
which every citizen is a sovereign but
in which no one cares to wear a crown.
Behold a republic standing erect while
empires all around are bowed beneath
the weight of their own armaments-
republic whose flag is loved while
other flags are only. feared. Behold