Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-03-14

the past as to mark unerringly what II
will be in the future. The national sem
timent and national conscience were new
err stronger or higher than now.
There has been reunion of the peopl~
around the altar conseerated to country
newly sanctifed by common sacrifices.
The followers Of Grant and Lee have
fought under the same flag and fallen for
the same faith. Party lines have loosen
ed and the ties of union have been
strengthened. Sectionalism has disap.
peared and fraternity and union have
been rooted in the hearts Of the Ameri-
can people. Political passion has alto
gether subsidized and patriotism CLOVIS
with unextinguishabl fervor in every
home of the land. The flag has been sus-
tanned on distant seas and islands by the
men of all parties md sections and
creeds and races and uationalities. and
its stars are only those Of radiant hope
TO the remote peoples over whom II floats.
Adherence of Imperialism.
There can be no Imperialism. Those
who fear it are against it. Those who
have faith in the republic are against it.
So that there is universal adherence for
it and unanimous opposition to it. Our
only difference Is that those who do not
agree with US have no confidence in the
virtue or capacity or high purpose or good
faith Of this free people as a ciyilizing
agent, while we believe that the century
of free government which the American
people have enjoyed has not rendered
them irresolute and faithless, but has
fitted them for the great task of lifting
up and assisting to better conditions and
larger liberty those distant peoples who
have through issue of battle become our
wards.
Let US fear not. There is no occasion
for faint hearts; no excuse for regrets.
Nations do not grow in their strength
and the cause of liberty and law is not
advanced by the doing of easy things.
The harder the task the greater will be
the result, the benefit, aud the honor.
To doubt our power to accomplish is to
lose faith in the soundness and strength
of our popular institutions. The liberia
tors MI never become the oppressors.
A self-governed people will never permit
despotism in any government which they
foster and defend.
Gentlemen, we have the new care and
cannot shift it, and breaking up the
camp of ease and isolation, let us bravely
and hopefully and soberly continue the
march of faithful service and falter not
until the work is done. 1t is not possible
that 15,00O,000 of American freemen are
unable to establish liberty and justice
and good government in our new posses
sions. The burden is our opportunity.
The opportunity is greater than the bur
den. May God give us strength to bear
the one and wisdom so to embrace the
other as to carry our distant acquisi-
tons the guarantees of life. liberty and
the pursuit of happiness"
At the conclusion of the Presidents
speech the diners arose and cheered
him vigorously. Gov. Nash, of Ohio.
was next introduced He spoke on the
Governors of Ohio, going over the his
torical list, beginning with the first
Governor Of the Northwest territory.
when he came to the name of Mckin-
ley there was again cheering for the
President. Lieut.. Gov Woodruff re-
sponded to the toast. "rhe Empire
State"
In response to repeated calls Gov.
Roosevelt arose and spoke briefly.
These three years that our President
has been in the White House, Gov.
Roosevelt said, have been three great
years. President Mckinley found the
nation stumbling in some of the darkest
paths it had encountered in its history.
He undertook 10 defend its honor at home
and abroad, and every pledge that he
made he has kept TO the very letter. If
you approve of what he has done for our
| finance. if you approve of his placing the
flag where it never stood before, then
stand by him in the future as you have
in the past. / speak to you as Ameri-
cans, and / ask you to stand with me
when I tell the guest of the evening that
New York stands to-day where it did
four years ago. 1t stands behind Presi-
dent Mckinley, as he works for the hon
orable solution of the problems that con-
front us abroad, so that our flag will
be the symbol of honesty wherever it
floats.
Following the dinner the President
held an informal reception for about
fifteen minutes and then retired.