Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-04-26
hNGLO-SHXON
RESPONSIBILITY
The Grafton OF Fred DunCdIf's That
Captured First Prize In judge
Mills Contest.

people has been one of constant prog
ress. For centuries the Anglo-Saxons
gave little promise of future great
ness. But, when the increasing pow
er of Spain threatened their very re-
ligion and liberty, they sank Spanish
supremacy in the '.Invincible Arma-
da. " Later they entered that long
and deadly struggle that Slapped the
strength of France. They planted
colonies in every part of the globe.
Step by step they have built up en-
pires in India, America and Australia.
The spirit Of progress which emanat-
ed from Anglo-SaXon England has
carried liberty and free government
around the whole earth in the first
decade of the twentieth century, it
must be decided whether the civiliza-
ton of the English speaking people is
to stop its onward march or enlighten
every dark corner of the world.
This growth has been due to certain
prominent characteristics. When
the Saxons first landed in England
they were rude and uncultured. But
the dreary surroundings of their con-
tinental home had engendered seri-
Gus thoughtfulness. And we find,
underlying al their coarseness, some
thing the polished Roman never had,
a certain sturdy manliness, united
with an unconquerable love of liberty
and deep sense of justice. At times
through the dark ages this spirit APP
peared crushed; but it only lay smol-
| a 1
flames that tyrants made haste TO re-
treat and trembled at the fury they
had aroused. When the Saxons
sought new homes the spirit of their
forefathers still animated them. The
pampered colonies eof France, the
priestridden settlements of Spain were
no match for such colonies as the
sturdy Puritans founded on the bleak
New England shore. Determined, as
they were, to worship God according
to their own convictions they trem-
blcd at no hardship or priyatlon; they
feared not even death itself. Restless
ness, calm, persistent effort, unyield-
ing tenacity, indomitaOle courage
have made them masters of the most
magnificent heritage ever held by any
people. Behind them is progress I'M
rivaled. around them are resources
unequaled. before them is needy
world: ability, opportunity, duty,
these the Anglo-Saxon people have;
shall they shirk their responsibility,
shall they bring everlasting dishonor
+, upon themselves, or on, on, and take
up their great task? Hitherto the
Anglo-SaXOn progress mas been chiefly
in temperate regions, but the temper
ate regions are rapidly filling up.
are all being rapidly developed. The
tropics then must be the field for the
future progress OF the AngloSaXon.
The tropics cannot be judged by what
they are not. Few seem to realize
how important they are destined to
become. Their trade already enor-
nous is rapidly increasing. Rich in
natural resources, covered by dense
forests, capable of producing the food
of the world, they will enable the
people that will control and success
fully develop them to become the ar
bitter of nations.
But there are far grander, fal
nobler motives for acquiring the
tropics than for the mere sake oil
wealth or power. The inhabitants OF
the tropics are more or less uncivil-
lied. The condition of South Africa
shows too well their incapacity for
self government. There, government
is used merely as cloak for corrup-
ton. and revolutions are periodical, for
the tickle people are easily influenced
by politicians. Foreign enterprise is
prevented by the uncertain condition
of affairs. The condition, as whole,
is little short of anarchy. But this is
not surprising. Ought we to expect
people oppressed by bad government,
swayed by fanatical priests, terrified
by superstition; ought we to expect
such people, utterly ignorant Of what
is for their own good, to achieve in
one generation what the Anglo-Saxon
mas taken centuries to attain? Ought
they to be compelled to take centuries
TO work out for themselves what we
might give them in one hundred
years. No. They must be helped
and the duty to help them Is ours.
The duty sent by Providence to the
English speaking peoples.
England is by far the most success
ful colonizCr Tier empire contains
ali languages peoples races and
tribe from the Canadian. who enjoys
a government almost as republican as
Our Jwn tu the savage of Central
Africa II IS feeling III altrui-m
that iead. England ID take these -uf-
ferng peoples into her care. She
pities them in their misery and sym
patEizes with them in thei6distress.
Her first consideration is The good Of