St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-11
CONVENTION ORATORY.
A Ringing Speech by Frank D. Hale.

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sided at the second district Republican
convention at White River Junction,
June 26, and we give below his address
to the delegates.
Mr.. Chairman, and gentlemen of the
Committee, l thank you for the honor
conferred by your kind consideration.
Fellow Republicans OF the Second Dis
trict. 1t is great pleasure tor me to
Join you in the festivities of this biennial
occasion. am with you, not because |
love Cuba less, but because in the COM
parison, | love Vermont more. AS her
devoted son am proud of her splendid
past | rejoice in her present prosperity
unfolding years shall invite her to even
higher levels. Noting the strength and
nobility of her citizenship past and pres
ent | wonder not that she is recognized
as one of the brightest gems in the crown
OF Americas Christian civilization. AS
republicans we are met to perform a
high duty which we owe to ourselves,
our state, our country, and the world.
At no time in all our history has there
been higher demand for honest purpose,
unwavering patriotism and broadgau-
ged craftsmanship than in these closing
years of the nineteenth century in which
so many and great problems have been
presented for the active brains and the
honest heart of this republic to solve.
And we are here today believing these
great world problems can be best solved
by tn application of rules found only in
the policy OF the republican party which
was born with its face towards the
rising sun of a progressive principle,
which is all conquering because it is the
universal law of life. 1t was the product
of the necessities OF the hour, the natural
fruitage of universal law operating for
centuries. The hour had arrived when a
great progressive movement must be re-
cognized and fought for. The mission of
the republican party was to guide this
nation amid the trials and under the
great responsibilities which have multi
piled with its greatness and extended in
| fluence, the natural inheritance of the
principles its early years, welded to
an irresistible power of growth found in
a never dying hope; and until the whole
world shall bear the impress of its bene6-
| CCHl luuuNHNC anu pal ldhC vi SOEuC Vi
its blessings the mission of the party will
not have been fulfilled. 1t has not like
it's great opponent the democratic party,
rested content under the narcotic infu-
ence of TIE dead past, feeding on tradi-
ton and theories, practically lifeless be-
cause not inspired to live by the princi-
pie of development and progress. The
republican party recognizes the fact that
to exist and not grow and expand can
not be the destiny of this nation; that
nation antagonistic to development and
expansion is unresponsive to the eternal
principles of progress and must sooner
or later give way to the mighty onward
movement which is fast redeeming the
world from ignorance, superstition and
darkness; lifting it to the blessings and
possibilities of better and more hopeful
life.
Nearly half a century has passed since
the birth OF therepublican party, and it
has decreed the policy of the nation dur
ing three-fonrths of the time, during
which period there has been growth
along all lines and expansion beyond all
precedents. Justly are we proud, for
ours is today the foremost among the
nations, and the eyes of the world are
watching to see where next the stars
and stripes shall futter in the breeze as
the promise OF better things to the igno-
rant, down trodden and oppressed,
whether it precedes or follows the con-
stitution. The power OF her silent SYM
pathy is sought as an ally, for her moral
influence circles the globe. So-called ex-
panson today is the question of the
| superiority of civilizations. That nation
which is blessed with a high civilization
is cowardly and unworthy if it fails to
demand its rlghtful place at the moment
of opportunity and exercise it's full
power to swell the tide OF progress.
There is no individual whose rights are
superior to the highest interests OF the
community; there is no nation under the
sun which in this age has the moral
right to hinder the sweep of civilization
across the continents and over the seas );
there is no spot on earth so beautiful or
sacred as to forbid occupancy by that
civilization which is both the child and
parent OF progress.
We drove the Spanish influence from
this continent because it lived in the past
with it's shadow, and lifted not it's eyes
to behold the better things at hand and
to come. England must conquer the
Beers because her superior civilization
not only gives her that right but makes
it her duty to the world. We the chill
dren OF progressive idea subdued and
overthrow the early possessors of this
great domain to plant a higher civilza-
ton here, and today our flag floats over
the islands of the eastern seas as the
sign of the dawn Of a new and progress
i've era for that people, and there must
it remain until the work of regeneration
has been fully accomplished and the ends
of progress gained. The republican
party and its great honest STANDARD
bearer stands for this splendid idea OF
expansion or world-conquering light OF
progress. Expansion, as we have ex.
banded, and are expanding because we
cannot helpit, isnot necessarily imperial
ism as understood and shouted by our
opponents; but, my friends, mark my
words, civilized progressive imperialism
is thousand times better than a hall
civilized plutocracy too often falsely call
ed a republic. Do we fear to adopt and
exercise some of the imperialistic power
of England? That patriotic democrat
Fitz Hugh-Lee, when consul at Havana
could but partially protect American
citizens and their rights by the slow
operating processes Of diplomacy, while
the English consul could protect English
subjects before the going down OF the
sun by threats of immediate vengeance