The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-15

and American institutions In the balance,
and to questioning their fines to meet
the new responsibilities which we have
assumed, or that have been forced upon
us. With Porto Rico and Hawaii Ameri-
can possessions, Cuba a political protege,
ami the PHILIPPINES ours by purchase.
with a rebellion thrown in by way OF
good measure, we are brought face to
face with issues which will demand
deliberate and far-sighted statesmanship,
and for the decision OF which we have
no landmarks to guide us. Having con-
cluded our treaty of purchase Of the Phil
ippines with Spain, and accepted the
responsibility, there was no other course
open TO us withot utterly disregarding the
interests of civilization and humanity,
but to defend our flag.
During the early part OF this century,
by the very nature Of our geographical
position, we were isolated from the rest OF
the world and in large degree outside
the sphere OF influence of European d.
piomacy and international complications.
But with the advent of tho railroad,
the steamboat, the telegraph and the
cable, we have been brought into closer
touch with Europe than we then were
with Canada; and with the Orient then
we then We're with California and the
Pacific coast. When jefferson, that
fountain head of pure Democracy, with
out constitutional precedent, purchased
the great Louisiana territory, and Polk,
after Democratic war of conquest &C
quired California and New Mexico, such
great statesmen as Quincy, Webster. Cal
houn and Clay are on record as declaring
that much of that territory was not and
never would be OF any value to the
United States. But time and the energy
of the American people have discredited
those great prophets. Expansioni Our
whole history has been one of expansion.
And when the last reverberation of Dew
ey's guns at Manila had died away, tie
Old World was suddenly awakened to
the fact that this young giant of the
Western Hemisphere must hereafter be
given respectful hearing on all ques-
lions in which he might be Interested,
and that civilization, which has always
advanced from west to east, had found
q new apostle.
The American people have not yet fully
comprehended the scope and magnitude
| of the responsibilities which We're de-
volved upon them as result Of the recent
war, or the weight of the burdens which
| they have taken up. The issues con-
fronting us are new and unprecedented
| in our history. We must blaze out path
and we may at times depart from the
straight course, but we have justiflable
confidence IN the unerring instinct OF the
Republican party for keeping In the true
path of progress, and in the earnest and
sincere purpose of the American people 10
do the right as God has given them 60
see it.
With the opening of the century, we
shall begin new era in American his
| tory; what it has in store for us, only the
Infinite can tell. The Government estab-
lished by those early partiots Is no longer
an experiment; ii has stood the test OF
war, and of peace, of adversely and OF
| prosperity, ana has grown stronger and
more perfect with each new trial. And
in this iawning of the twentieth century,
the world beholds the American Goddess
of Liberty in whom our people have per,
! sonifled the genius of our institutions,
holding aloft her torch, glowing with ths
spirit OF Washington, of Lincoln, anI
Of Mckinley, lighting up the path ane
making clear the way along which all ths
nations of this earth must march in 40
cordance with the unfolding OF Hi
plans, before whom all nations bow.
President Wilson was loudly applaudet
at the conclusion of his address.
Upon motion Of Hon. Clarence Hal'
the county committee was made the com
mittee on credentials. This oommitte'
reported that the convention consisted o
1877 delegates and that all were present.
Charles A. True, Of Portland, movet
that the temporary organization be mad
permanent. This was voted.
On motion of Barrett Potter OF Bruins
} wick committee on resolutions was ap
lpointed which was as follows
Barrett Potter, Of Brunswick
James p. Baxter Of Portland, J
IE. Carteret of Baldwin, John II. Haydel
! Of Raymond, Roger A. Foss Of West
brook, Augustus H. Walker Of Bridgton