New-York tribune., 1900-10-25

fathers and have lost the virility OF the found
ers OF the party which they profess to rsprssen,
CONSTITUTION THE BASIS.
The Republican party does not have 70 asset
It's devotion to the Declaration Of Independence.
That immortal instrument OF the fathers r.
malned unexecuted until the people under thu
iead OF the Republican party in the awful clash
OA oatue. turned its promises into fulhlment. Il
wrote INTO the Constitution the amendments
guaranteeing political equality 70 American citi-
zenship, and il has never broken them or cum
selled others in breaking them It will not bs
guided IN its conduct by one set OF principles
at nome and another set in the new territory
belonging to the United States.
II our opponents would only practise as we'll
as preach the doctrines of Abraham Lincoln
there would be no fear for the safety OF our in
stitutions at home or their rightful Influence in
any territory over which our flag floats
Empire has been expelled from Porto Rico
and the Philippines by American freemen- The
flag OF the Republic now floats over these
islands as emblem OF rightfuI sovereignty
VIII the Republic stay and dispense TO their in
habitants the blessings Of liberty, education and
free institutions. or steal away. leaving them
10 anarchy or imperialism
DUTY OR DEsERTIoN
The American question is between duty and
desertion-the American verdict viii be for duty
and against desertion. for the republic against
both anarchy and Imperialism.
The country has been fully advised OF the pur-
poses of the United States in China, and they
viii be faithfully adhered 10 as already defined
The Nation is filled with gratitude that the
little band, among them many OF our own blood.
who for two months had been subject to priva-
tions and peril by the attacks OF pitiless hordes
at the Chinese capital. exhibiting supreme cour-
age in the face OF despair, have been enabled
by Gods favor 10 greet their rescuers and find
shelter under their own flag.
The people, not alone of this land, but OF all
lands. have watched and prayed through the
terrible stress and Protracted agony OF the help
less suffering in Peking and while az times the
dark tidings seemed TO make ali hope vain the
rescuers never faltered IN the heroic fulhlment
Of their noble task
We are grateful TO own soldiers and sailors
and marines. and to all the brave men who.
though assembled under many standards rep
resenting peoples and races strangers in coun-
try and speech, were yet united in the sacred
mission Of carrying succor TO the besieged. with
success that is now the cause OF a worlds re-
i joicing-
/ Not only have reason for thanksgiving for
our material blessings, but We should rejoice =
the complete unihcation of the people OF all sec
/ ttons Of our country that has so happily deveI-
/ oped in the last few years and made for a
more perfect union
The obliteration OF old differences. the COM
mon devotion to the flag, and the common sacri-
! fees for its honor. so conspiCUOusly shown by
/ the men of the North and the South IN the
/ Spanish war, have so strengthened the ties Of
friendship and mutual respect that nothing can
ever again divide US. The Nation faces the new
century gratefully and hopefully. with increas-
institutions and with high resolve that they
! shall not perish from the earth"
Very respectfully yours.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.