Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-03-15
So Declares President McKinlev in
an Address to the Sons of Ohio
Society in New York.
NATION TO MEET WAR RESPONSIBILITIES
Future of the Colonies, He Says, Is
the Peoples Question, and He
Fears No DackdOvvn-Denial of Al
lance with Other COuntries-No
Faltering Until Work Is Done.


guest of honor, and in his address
said in part:
1.-The statement which has been often
made is not far from the truth: Once an
thioan. ALWAYS an Ohioan.' 1t has been
some years since l was your guest. Much
has happened in the meantime. We have
had our blessings and our burdens, and
still have both. We will soon have legis-
lative assurance of the continuance of the
gold standard with which to measure our
exchanges and we have the open door in
the far east through which to market out
products. We are neither in alliance nor
antagonsm nor ENHANCEMENT with amy
foreign power but on terms OF amlty
and cordiality with all. We buy from all
of them and sell to all of them, and our
sales exceeded our purchases in the past
two years by over 81 900, 900, 600 Markets
have been increased and mortgages have
been reduced. Interest has fallen and
wages have advanced. The public debt is
decreasing. The country is we'll to do
AL contented. They have good times
and are on good terms with the nations
OF the world
Wishes Peace for All.
'"rhere are unfortunately those among
US few in number, | am sure, who seem
to thrive best under bad times and who
when good times overtake them in the
on bad terms with the rest of mankind
With them l can have no sympathy. l
would rather give expression to what l
believe to be the nobler and almost uni
versal sentiment of my countrymen in
the wish not only for our peace and
prosperity but for the peace and pros
pcrty of all the nations and peoples of
the earth.
Unavoidable War.
"aftnr 90 wears of unbroken peace came
an unavoidable war. Happily. the con-
cusion was quickly reached without
suspicion of unworthy motive of practice
or purpose on our part and with fadelesS
honor to our arms. l cannot forget the
quick response of the people TO the coun-
try'S need and the 100000 men who freely
Offered their lives to their country 5 serv-
ice. 1T an impressive spectacle OF ma
tional strength. 1t demonstrated on:
mighty reserve power and taught us that
large standing armies are unnecessary
when every citizen is a minute man.
ready to Join the ranks for national de-
Tense.
The Nations Problem.
"Out of these recent events have come
to the United States grave trials and re
sponsibilities. AS it was the nations wdr
so are it's results the nations Problem.
Its solution rests upon us all. 1t is too
serious to stille. 1t. Isl too.earnest for re-
pose. No phrase or catchword can cancel
the sacred obligation it involves. No use
OF epithctS. no dispersion of motives by
those who differ, Will contribute to that
eoo"r judgment so essential to right con-
illusions. No political cutlery can abro-
gate our treaty Of peace with Spain or
apsclve us from its solemn engagements.
Question for the People.
''it is the peoples question and will be
until its determination is written out in
their enlightened verdict. We must choose
between manly doing and base desertion.
1t Will never be the latter. 1t must be
soberly settled in justice and good con-
science and 1T will be. Righteousness,
which cxalteth. a nation, must control in,
its solution. No great emergency has
arisen in this nations history and prog
ress which has not been met bv the SOW
ereisn people with high capacity. with
ample strength and With unflinching fidel-
ity to every honorable obligation. Par
tisanship can hold few OF us against SOL
emn public duty. We have seen this SO
often demonstrated in the past to
mark unerringly what it will be in the
future The national sentiment and the
national conscience was never stronger
or higher than now. There has been a re-
union Of the people around the holy altar
consecrated to country newly Sanctified
by common sacrifices. The followers of
Grant and Lee have been found under the
same flag and fallen for the same faith
Ties of Union Stronger.
PARTY lines have loosened and the ties
OF union have been rooted in the hearts
of the American people. Political passion
has altogether subsidized and patriotism
glows with ineXtinguishable fervor in
every home in the land The flag has been
sustained distant seas and islands by
the men of all parties and sections and
creeds and races and nationalities. and its
stars are only those of radiant hope to
the remote peoples over whom it floats.
No Imperialism.
There can be no imperialism. Those
who fear 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 civilizng agency,
while we believe that the century of free
government which the American people
have enjoyed has not rendered them
faithless and irresolute. but has fitted
them for the great task OF lifting up and
assisting to better conditions those dis
tant peoples who have through the issue
of battle become our wards. Let us fear
not. There is no occasion for faint hearts,
no excuse for regrets.
No Despotism.
Nations do not grow in strength and
the cause of liberty and law is not adj
harder the task the greater will be the
result the benefit and the honor. To
doubt our power to accomplish it is to
lose faith in the soundness and strength
of our popular institutions. The hber-
ators will never become the oppressors.
\ self-governed people will never permit
despotism in any government which they
foster and defend
Cannot Shift the Burden.
"Gentlemen. we have the new care and
cannot shift it. And. breaking up tie
camp of ease and isolation, let us brave!y
and hopefully and soberly continue the
march of faithful service and falter not
until the work is done 1t is not possible
that $4,000 600 of American free men are
unable to establish liberty and justice and
good government in our new possessions
The burden is our opportunity. The OPP
portunity is greater than the burden. May
God give US strength to bear the one and
wisdom SO to embrace the other to
carry to our distant acquisitions the
guarantees Of life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness +"