The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-08-14
DESTINY THE FINAL JrsrrFIcArIoN
Onercd by the R,publicans for the situa-
ton in the ~ ilippincs.


When onr opponents are unable to
defend their position by argument
they fall back upon the assertion that
Il is destiny. and insist that we must
submit TO It. no matter how much il
violates moral preccpts and our prin-
ciples Of government. This is a com
placent philosophy. II obllterateS the
distinction between right and wrong
and makes individuals and nations the
beluless victims Of circumstances.
Destiny is the subtarfugc OF the IN
vertebrate, who. lacking the courage
10 oppose error. seeks some pduSlble
excuse for supporting 10. Washington
said that the destiny 0f the Republican
form Of government was deeply II
not finally, Staked on the experiment
entrusted 20 the American people
How different WashingtOn's definition
Of destiny from the Republican deiini-
lion, The Republicans say that this
nation is in the hands of destiny;
Washington believed that not only the
destiny OF our own nation but the
destiny Of the Republican form OF gov
eminent throughout the world was en-
trusted To American hands Washing
ton was right The destiny Of this re-
public is I'm the hands Of its own peo-
Die. upon the success Of the expert
ment here rests the hope of humanity.
No exterior force can disturb this re-
public. and no foreign influence should
be permitted to change It's course.
What the future has In store for this
nation no one has authority to de-
clare. but each individual has his own
idea of the nations mission and he
owes IL 10 his country as well as 10
himself TO contribute MS best he may
TO the fulhllment Of that mission.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Committee: | can never fully dis
charge the debt of gratitude which
owe to my countrymen for the hon0rs
which they have so generously be-
slowed upon me; but. sirs. whether 1t
be my lot to occupy the high office for
which the convention has named me
or To- spend the remainder OF my days
I'm private life, It shall be my constant
ambition and my controlling purpose
to aid in realizing the high Ideals OF
those whose wisdom and courage ana
sacrifices brought this republic into
existence.
| can conceive Of 4 national destiny
surpassing the glOries of the present
and the pasta destiny which meets
the responsibilities Of today and meas
ures M the possibilities Of the future.
Behold a republic, resting securely
upon the foundation stones quarried
by revolutionary patriots from me
mountain Of eternal truth-a republic
applying In practice and proclalmng
To the world the self-eyident PROPOSE
tlon-that all men are created equal;
that they are endowed with inalienable
rights: that governments are instituted
among men to secure these rights;
that Governments derive their just
movers from the consent Of the gov
erned. Behold a republic I'm which
civil and religious liberty stimulate all
TO earnest endeavOr, and in which the
law restraints every hand uplifted for
n neighbOr's iniury-a republic IN
which every citizen is a sovereign but
I'm which no one cares to wear crown.
Behold a republic standing erect while
empires all around are bowed beneath
the weight of their own armament
a republic whose flag is loved while
other flags are only feared. Behold
a republic increasing in population,
in wealth. in strength and in aiiluence,
solving the problems Of civilization
and fastening the coming Of an uni
versal brotherhood republic which
shakes thrones and dissolves aristOcra-
cies by its silent example and gives
light and inspiration to those who sit
i'm darkness. Behold a republic grad
ually but surely becoming the supreme
moral factor in the worlds progress
and the accepted arbiter Of the worlds
disputes-a republic whose history,
like the path of the just, sis as the
shining light that shineth more and
more into the perfect day."