The Wahpeton times., 1900-08-16
DESTINY THE FINAL JUsT1FICATIO

DESTINY THE FINAL JUsTIFICATION
offered by the Republicans for the situa-
tion in the Philippines.
When our opponents are unable to
defend their position by argument
they fall back upon the assertion that
it is destiny, and insist that we must
submit to 1t, no matter how much It
violates moral preeepts and eur prin-
ciples of government. This is a COM
placent philosophy. 1t obliterates the
distinction between right and wrong
and makes individuals and nations the
helpless victims of circumstances.
Destiny is the subterfuge of the in
vertebrate, who, lacking the courage
to oppose error, seeks some pausible
excuse for supporting 1t. Washington
said that the destiny of the Republican
form of government was deeply, IL
not finally, staked on the experiment
entrusted to the American people.
How different Washington's definition
Of destiny from the Republican defini-
ton! 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
ernment throughout the werld was en-
trusted to American hands. Washing
ton was right. The destiny of this re-
| public Is in the hands Of it's own peo-
pie, 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.
yhn% <6o To- kf.s
nation no one has authority to de-
clare. but each individual has his own
idea of the nations mission and he
owes it to his country as we'll as to
himself to contribute as best he may
to the fulfillment of that mission.
| Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Committee: l can never fully dis
charge the debt Of gratitude which I
owe to my countrymen for the honors
which they have so generously be-
he my lot to occupy the high office for
or to spend the remainder of my days
in 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 and
sacrifices brought this republic into
existence.
I can conceive Of a national destiny
surprising the glories of the present
and the pasta destiny which meets
the responsibilities of today and meas
ures up the possibilities of the future.
Behold Il republic, resting securely
upon the foundation stones quarried
by revolutionary patriots from the
mountain Of eternal truth-a republic
applying in practice and proclaimng
to the world the self-evident pl oposi-
'tiOn-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
powers from the consent of the gov
erned. Behold republic in which
civil and religious liberty stimulate all
to earnest endeavor, and in which the
law restrains every hand uplifted for
a neighbOr's injury-a republic in
which every citizen is sovereign but
IN which no one cares to wear crown.
Behold a republic standing erect while
empires all around are bowed beneath
the weight Of their own armaments-
a republic whose flag is loved while
other flags are only feared. Behold
a republic increasing in population,
in wealth. in strength and in atfiuence,
solving the problems of civilization
and hastening the coming of an uni
versal brotherhood-a republic which
shakes thrones and dissolves aristocra-
cies by its silent example and gives
light and inspiration to those who sit
in darkness. Behold a republic grad
ually but surely becoming the supreme
moral factor in the worlds progress
and the accepted arbiter Of the world's
disputes-a republic whose history,
like the path of the just, ''is as the
shining light that shineth more and
more into the perfect day."