The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-19
CLEVELAND SCORES
The IMPER|AL|STS
i-r-
He Speaks at the Holland
Society Banquet.
HAVE PASSED OLD LINES
"A Strange Voyage Has Been Entered
Without Count of Cost"
CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS IRKs0ME
Conservatism, Says He, Has Been Iaun.iIy Cast
Aside, and Condemned as Opposed 10
Our Country. Reverence. For Ma
t'o1al Traditions Relaxed.
tBy the Associated Press.)

New York. JAN 17-Ex- President
Cleveland was the guest of honor at the
sixteenth annual banquet of the Holland
Society at the Waldorf Astoria tonight.
Mr.. Cleveland spoke as follows on
Dutch Courage"
The question is suggested, whether in
present conditions this conservatism
characterizes the conduct or guides the
sentiments of our people. There can be
but one answer to this question. Con-
servatism has in great degree been
iauntly cast aside. or condemned as OPP
posed to our country's welfare and glory.
A strange voyage has been entered upon
without count of cost and without chart
or compass. The tried and sure founda-
lions of our liberty and National happi-
ness have been d.scredited
Reverence Tor our National traditions
has been relaxed. and satisfaction with
our country's mission has been under
mined The restraints and limitations of
our Constitution have become calling and
irksome under the temptations of Nation
al greed and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Onr old
love of peace. honor and justice has been
weakened, and fIugality and contcntmert
are not now traits inseparable from
American character.
War even with the worlds advanced
civilization may still be sometimes neces-
sary and justifiable, but whether heces-
sary and iustifable or not the demoral
zation that follows in it's train can never
be evaded 1t teaches bloody instructions,
which, in country whose citizens do the
fighting, cannot fail TO leave their IN
press for n time at least, uEon public and
privatp life in time of peace
Thirty wears after .ae close OF nc
war for the preservation of the nion,
treaty of arbitration aas formulated be-
tween the United States and Great Erit
ain which, il completed, would have gone
far towards removing every pretext Of
war between the countries.
This treaty failed of confirmation in
The Senate of the United States. Less
than five years passed and these English
speaking champions of peace AID arhitra-
tion are still operating in parallel lines
one on the Philippines and the other in
South Africa-but no longer COR peace end
arbitration. Both are killing natives iii
an effort to possess their lands
This indicates a sad relapse, and in
our case it is a most serious one. If
England succeeds in her attempt in South
Africa. she will but add another to her
list of similar acquisitions, brave peo-
pie will be subjugated, and because of our
engagement IN a similar venture in
another quarter they will miss the ex-
pressions of American sympathy which
are accustomed to extend to those who
struggle for National life and independ-
ence On the other hand, with success in
our subjugating effort, new untried and
exceedingly perilous situation will be
forced upon us. We can conquer the
Philippines, and after conuuering them
can probably govern them. 1t is in the
strain upon our institutions, the democrat
ization of our people, the evasion of our
Constitutional limitations and the perver-
sion of our National mission that our
danger lies AS a distinguished bishop
has said: The question is not what we
shall do with the Philippines, but what
the Philippines will do to us.
Our country will never be the same
nga.n. For veal or woe we have already
irrevocably passed beyond the old lines.
The republic will in some sort be
saved. Shall it be only in name and
sembIanee. with fair external appearance,
but with the germs of decay fastened upon
it's vitals or shall it, though changed.
still survive in such vigor and strength
as to remain the hope and pride of Ameri-
ears?
The problem is a momentous one. In
the midst of reckless tumult and in the
confused rage of National greed and
bloodiness let it be proclaimed that
American freedom and popular rule can
not perish except through the madness
of those who have them in their keeping
and by the blood and sacrifices OF our
fathers by the lofty achievements OF the
free institutions they established, by our