Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-03-14

Alter oo years Oh unUTOhtu ptttCc
came unavoidable war. Happily the
conclusion was quickly reached with
out u suspicion OF unworthy motive,
or practice or purpose on our part
and with fadeless honor to 0urarms.
/ eonnot forget the quick response OF
the people to the ceuntry's needs,
and the quarter of a million men who
freely offered their lives to theircoun-
try's service. 1t was IN impressive
spectacle OF national strength. 1t
demonstrated our mighty reserve
power and taught us that large
standing armies are unnecessary
when every citizen is a minute man
ready to join the ranksfor national
defense.
"Out OF these recent events have
come 10 the United States grave
trials and responsibilities. AS 1t was
the nations war, so are its results
the nations problem. Its solution
rests upon US all. 1t is too serious TO
stihe. 1t is too earnest for repose.
No phrase or catchword a cancel
the sacred obligation it involves. No
use of epithets, no aspersion OF mo-
tives by those who differ will con-
tribute to that sound judgment, so
essential to right conclusions.
mo political cutlery can abolish
our treaty Of peace with Spain, or
absolve us from our solemn obliga-
tons. 1t is the peoples question,
and will be until its determination Is
written out in their enlightened YER
diet. We must choose between al
ly doing and base desertion. 1t will
never be the latter. 1t must be Sob
erly settled in justice and good con-
science, and it will be. Righteous
ness which exalteth a nation must
control in its solution. No great
emergency has arisen in this nations
history and progress which has not
been met by the sovereign people
with high capacity, with ample
strength and with unflinching fideli-
ty to every honorable obligation.
Partisanship can hold few of us
against solemn public duty. We
have seen this so often demonstrated
in the past as to mark unerringly
what 1t will be in the future. The
national sentiment and the national
conscience was stronger or
heavier than now. There are few not
consecrated to the country, newly
sanctified by common sacrifices. The
followers of Grant and Lee have
fought under the same flag and fall
en- for the same faith.
party lines have loosened land
the ties of union have been root
ed in the hearts OF the American peo-
pie, political opposition has alto
gether subsidized, patriotism glows
with inextinguishable fervor in every
home in the land. The flag has been
sustained on distant sea and islands
by the men of all parties and sections
and creeds aud races and %nationali-
ties and it's stars are only
those Of hope to those over
whom 1t floats. There can be no I'M
perialism. Those who fear are
against it. Those who have faith in
the republic are against 1t. So there
is universal adherence for it and
unanimous opposition to 1t. Our
only difference Is that those who do
not agree with us have no confidence
in the virtue or capacity, or high pur-
pose or good faith of this free people
as a civilizing agency, while we be-
lieve that the century OF free govern
ment which the American people
have enjoyed has not rendered them
faithless or irresolute, but has fitted
them for the great task Of lifting up
and assisting to better conditions
those people of distant countries,
who through the fortunes of battles
become our wards. Let us fail not.
This ia not time for faint hearts, o
excuse, nor regrets. Nations do not
grow In strength and the cause OF
liberty is not advanced by the doing
of easy things. The harder the task,
the greater will be the results, the
benefits and the blessings.
"Failurc to deal with our task is to
lose faith In our popularinstitutions.
The liberators will never become the
oppressors. A s~elf-gOverned people
will never permit despotism In any
government which they foster and
defend.
Gentlemen, we have the new are
and cannot shift it. Andin breaking
up the camp Of ease and isolation,
let US bravely, fully and soberly Judge
the march Of faith, and falter not un.
til the work IL done. 1t IL not pos
sible that $4,000, 900 of American free
men are unable to establish liberty
and justice and good government In
our new possessions. The burden IL
our opportunity. The opportunity
Is greater than the burden. May
God give us strength to bear the one
and wisdom so to embrace the other.
M. to carry to our distant acquisi-
tions the guarantee Of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness"