Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-11

comes it that our first century closes
with the process of consolidating the
American people into unit just ac-
complished, and quick upon the stroke
of that great hour presses upon us
our world opportunity, world duties
and world glory which none. but aipeo-
pie welded into an indivisible nation
can achieve or perform? Blind, in
deed, is he who sees not the hand
of God in events SO vast, SO harmon
ious, so benign. Reactionary indeed is
the mind that perceives not that this
vital people is the strongest of the
saving forces of the world; that our
place, therefore, is at the head of the
constructing and redeeming nations
of the earth; and that to stand aside
while events march on is a surrender
of our interests, a betrayal of our du-
ties as blind as it is base. Craven, in
deed, is the heart that fears to per-
form work so golden and SO noble;
that dares not wilma glory so immor-
tai.
do you tell me that it will cost us
money? When did Americans ever
measure duty by financial standards?
Do you tell me of the tremendous toll
required to overcome the vast official
ties of our task? What mighty work
for the world, for humanity, even for
ourselves, has ever been done with
ease? Even our bread must be eaten by
the sweat of faces. Why are we charg-
ed with power such as no people ever
knew, il we are not to use it in a
work such as no people ever wrought?
Who will dispute the divine means of
the fable of the talents? Do you re-
mind me of the precious blood that
must be she'd, the lives that must be
given. the broken hearts of loved ones
for the slain? And this is indeed a
heavier price than all combined. And
yet as nation every historic duty we
have done, everv achievement we have
accomplished, has been by the sacri-
flee of our noblest sons. Every hallowed
memory that glorifies the flag is of
those heroes who have died that its
onward march might not be stayed.
It y the nations dearest lives, yield
ed for the flag, that makes it dear to
us; it is the nations most precious
blood poured out for it that makes it
precie to us. That flag is woven Of
herosim and grief, of the bravery of
men and women's tears, of righteous
ness and battle, of sacrifice and ang-
uish, of triumph and of glory. 1t is
these which make our flag holy
thing. Tho would tear from that sa-
cred banner the glorious legend Of a
single battle where it has waved on
land or sea? What son of soldier
of the flag, whose father fell beneath
it on any field, would surrender that
proud record for the heraldry of a
kingl In the cause of civilization, in
the service of the republic anywhere
on earth, Americans consider wounds
the noblest decorations man can win
and count the giving of their lives a
! glad and precious duty. Pray God that
spirit never fails. Pray God the time
may never come when Mammon and
| the love of ease shall so debase our
blood that we will fear to shed it for
the flag and its imperial destiny Pray
| God that the time may never come
| when American heroism is but a legend
like the story of the Glib, American
| fa.th in our mission and our might a
dream dissolved, and the glory Of our
mighty race departed.
t'And that time will never come.
We will renew our youth at the foun-
tain of new and glorious deeds, We
| will exalt our reverence for the flag
by carrying it to a noble future, as
well as by remembering its ineffable
past. It's Immortality will not pass,
because everywhere and always we
will acknowledge and discharge the
solemn responsibilities of our sacred
flag in its deepest meaning, put upon
us. And so, senators. with reyerent
hearts, where dwells the fear of God,
the American neople move forward to
the future of their hope and the doing
of His work
Another Hoar Resolution.
Hoar introduced resolution calling
on the president to communicate all
communications received by him or
any department. officer, civil or militia
L 1u frol,, A cri1i r,alda. or anu thar Ier.