The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-13


exhibited the strength of our electoral
institutions. We ere as strong within as
without. In the first inaugural address
delivered in this city. on the Fourth OF
March, 1901, Thomas Jefferson said:
Strangers unused to think freely and
speak what they think. might be impcs-
ed on by the animation ~ our discussion
and exertions. but TIN contest of opin-
ion being decided by the voice of the ma
ton. and announced according to the
rules of the Constitution, all viii. OF
course. arrange themselves under the will
of the law and unite in common effort for
the common good | believe with him
that this is the strongest Government on
earth / believe with him also that this
is the one nation where every man ac-
cording to the law would fly to the stand
ard of the law and would meet invasion
of the law as his own personal concern.
when he thus spoke our own self-gov-
eminent was yet an experiment. 1t is
now a contamination. We might repeat
his admonition: Sometimes it is said that
man cannot be trusted nth the govern
ment of himself; can he then be trusted
with the government of others? or have
we found angels in the form of kings
to govern him? Let history answer this
question: The history of a hundred years
| has answered it.
Compare the men whom the people
have chosen as Presidents with an equal
number of hereditary monarchs of any
other nation, and self government, in
comparison finds its incarnate yindica-
tion. This is the only great nation that
ever passed through its formative con-
ficts without infictirg in a single case
the penalty of death for political cause.
Does not this fact alone speak volumes
for free thought. for free speech, for the
government of the people and for the
high character of the American people?
IF we have had strife it has been the
proud and lofty strife of the brave and
the true who can cherish honor, who can
cherish principle, can cherish love. but
cannot cherish hate. And be this never
forgotten. that our only strife was over
the heritage which empire foisted upon
our ancestors against their will and
which the Republic has removed forever.
And that Republic stands at the dawn
of new century, with every son free
man under its flag and ready to defend it.
81 am an American means more today
than it has ever meant. for if all the ma
tions were arranged in line, each repre-
scented by one typical man. the American
man would stand at the head of the line,
the tallest. the straightest. the brawniest.
the most practical-minded and biggest
hearted of them all.
I'VE are the foremost nation of the
world. We are the light and hope of the
world. 1t is our freedom that has made
us great.
Race problem. Philippine problem,
trust problem-what viii you do with
them? / am not here to answer We may
we'll view these and other problems with
deep solicitude and anxious reflection.
But if our problems be mighty they grew
out of our might and have the mighty to
deal with them. They come to those who
have never been COMPOUNDED by problems
and haze never lodged one; w..o have
solved problems just as great, and some
greater than any now presented. and have
left them all behind with monuments of
their solution bui!ded over them.
when John Smith and his little band
sailed into James River in 1907 flight of
arrows in their faces arrested attention to
the greatest and deadliest of race prob
lens. There are as many Indians on the
American continent now as there were
then. but where is the race problem of
1907?
The London Company sent these set
tiers here and ordered everything. 1t
called q Legislature at jamestown in 1919.
and in 1924 that Legislature said: This
people VIII pay no tax save as this assem-
bly, shall appoint One hundred and fifty
years afterward that principle became the
cornerstone of this nation. Bills of right
and free constitutions cover the country.
But what has become of the London Com
pany? The King gone. the Indian gone,
the stamp tax gone. and the London Com
pany. too-gone. all gone! But the Amer
lean is here, and from ocean to ocean not
an acre but a free acre; not 4 man but 4
free man. and all ancient problems but
fireside tales. Behind our new problems
marches the broader and better Republic.
In the words of an illustrious American.
1t is history that teaches man to hope.
No human history burns with so high and
bright hope as that of the United States
OF America.
I'VE have been Il world power ever since
we tied taxation and representation to-
gether and identified in one community
the tax layer and the tax payer. Ii was
out of that germ that arose our free Con-
stitution. Wherever 1t is found a free
constitution would grow out~of it. 1t has
quickened the republican movement
around the globe. 1t has brought us the
homage not only of the downtrodden, who
welcomed its delivering band. but as well
that of the powerful who needed not its
forewarnings.
But yesterday an English statesman.
former Prime Minister declared that had
not the elder Pitt left the House of Com
duced the English King to admit the
American people to representation in Par
lament: and he fancies that then the
crown itself and all its belongings would
some day have migrated to this country,
leaving the British islands as the Euro
pean outposts of a world empire. The
world empire under any crown, is the
fading dream of humanity. The world re-
public is the ever-brightening and grow
ing dream.
Centre of AnslO-Saxon Power.
1T is not likely that any crown will ever
come to this land of ours. but our consti-
tutional system. with the people sovereign
and holding in their hands the purse and
the sword can go everywhere. Eighteen
sister Republics of America have patterned
on its example. Our Monroe Doctrine has
said TO the monarchies, Touch them not
and the world republic, not the world en-
pire. is the vision that grows more and
more distinct as We go spinning through
the ringing grooves of change This land
is already the radiant centre of Anglo
Saxon power. 1t is also the radiant centre
of that vision. We will cleave to the prin-
ciple that conjured that vision. 1t is
brighter than crowns. 1t is stronger than
sceptres. II is higher than thrones. 1t is
longer ranged than cannon. 1t is sharper
than swords and 5ayonets. 1t is more
august than an army with banners. 1t
marches while armies sleep. 1t conquers
where armies fail. II floats where navies
sink It is the shield of the weak. 1t is
the glory of the strong. 1t is the riches
Of the poor 1t is the faith and hope and
uplift of the oppressed. 1t is subtler than
policy. ii is right, and ii is the destiny of
nations.
''As our country moves to speed that
destiny it will carry the future of Wash