The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-10


eign territory. London's continual pros
perity rests upon the intimate relations be-
tween Great Britain and her colonies.
Paris, although numerically great. has no
power as a commercial city of the world,
but contents itself with leading only in
fashion and scandal.
What would Rome have been, without
an extension of her empire, but an inslg-
nifcant city on the banks of the Tiber?
Without her expansion the pages OF his
tory would have never been blazoned with
the glories of the eternal city. Without
the expansion of her empire, Greece would
have been little speck on the map OF the
world. and the splendors Of Athens and
the glories of Marathon would never have
been recorded rs tributes to human learn
ing and vslor. In all ages nstions have
had national obligations imposed upon
them, and, when discharged, they have
fourished for time, but they finally per-
ished because they were not equal to their
increased responsibilities. Shall we, with
the experience of the past before US,
shrink from our obligations as a nation
and prove recreant to the high trust OF
being sponsor for the Christian religion
and bearer of the glad tidincs of great JOY
to all peoples3 Shall we fail in this auspl-
cious hour of opportunity to enjoy and
strive to perpetuate the freedom which is
the birthright of the race. and to work for
its universal enjoymenti Shall we foun-
der on the rock upon which all other ma
tions have founderedi Away with such
unpatriotic and unchristisn objections to
the expansion of our political institu-
tions.
The line of duty marked out for US as
nation ia straight and narrow way. There
is no need for US to mistake it. We have
the pillar OF cloud" by day and the pill
lar of fire" by night to guide us. II we
watch those with steady gaze we VIII
safely pass through the Red sea" OF dan
ger before us, and at last reach the goal
of our national aspirations and opportun-
tiles.
Our land is the most favored Of earth.
We have a diversity of soil and climate
unequalled. Our diversity of production
is marvellous. Our versatility OF scien-
tific and inventive genius is the wonder OF
the world. We are able not only to feed
our millions of population but the hungry
of all nations. We can clothe the hun.
dreds of millions of people in the Orient.
Our wealth is fabulous With all these
advantages can We afford to shut up our
selves in "pent up Utica" aud allow the
very redundance of our products to make
us poors No other nation ever had the
grand commercial opportunities we enjoy.
Our harvests make our fields smile with
JOY and loudly call US to reap and enjoy
rich rewards by supplying other nations
and still have an abundance left. AS @
return Of gratitude to the Ruler of ma
tioas for our unparalleled prosperity and
advantages, it is our national duty to
grow, expand, and 60 forth to contest
with other nations for commercial suprem.
acy.
Nations like individuals must be inter
dependent. In the past the nations have
ignored this doctrine, and have destroyed
each other in their strife for dominion and
supremacy. It was never intended IN the
great plans Of Omnisclence that any ma
ton can exist without being blessing OF
curse to others. This idea OF interdepcn'
dsnce In the last half century seems te
have become the settled conviction of al
the nations. The recent troubles in Chins
made all the great civilized powers neigh
bors. It brought them in unison for theil
own betterment and the welfare o.
heather China. Why then criticize oul
President for the attitude Of the United
States in this Chinese complication ant
for acting in concert with the other ma
tions as a neighbour? 1t was one Of hel
national obligations az we'll as great op
portunity to exemplify her readiness tt
help and to bless all other nations.
For 1900 years the human race has beer
struggling to obey the divine command
"Go ye into all the world and preach th'
gospel" But little progress was mad'
for centuries upon centuries. Seas o.
blood have been shed in this evangelical
work. The progress has been slow, bu
the fire has been kept dimly burning upor
the sacred altar. 1t was left to the mys
terious christian influence of the nine
teenth century, when the human mint
was liberated, to commence anew this gos
pel work, and its light has blazed in ever!
land, and the bible has been published II
every tongue. We are on the eve OF
new christian era in the world. Our ma
ton with its free government and it's az
pressive christian civilization is in posi-
ton to march forward and convert th
world. With the isles of the Pacific in ou
possession, with the confidence OF tn
millions of heathens in the East, and will
our wealth and commerce., and Anglo
Saxon love of liberty, we can raise tn
banner of the cross and accomplish tn
heaven designed work of having the gos
pei preachsd to every creature.
Our republican government. with thes
mighty potentialities for progress, civil
zation and human freedom. is well fittet
to challenge the admiration OF the world
and to scatter everywhere the blessings o
mans liberty. Standing as the Unite'
States does today, as the largest export
ing nation, the wealthiest and most re
, sourceful nation, they can exercise con
trolling influence in the affairs Of tn
world, and ultimately become dominan
in them. Their political institutions hav
given them this prominence, and II tn
| people wisely use all the opportunities o
..,+ tbav will become the prea