The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-01
COLUMBIA CLUB.
(CoNCLUDED FROM SECOND PAGE.

CONCLUDED FROM SECOND PAGE.)
proved the conservative Quincy's state
ment, which, when he uttered it, was sup
posed to be conservatism itself. And the
failure of these great minds to understand
the logical certainties of American deve;-
Opment in the past, suggests the possibility
that American development in the next
hundred years will exceed the belief of
those VINO to-day doubt the vitality of the
American people and the powers latent in
their constitution, as much as our devel-
opment in the last hundred years has con-
founded and made foolish the highest wis
dom of minds as prophetic as jefferson $
and Quincy's. The people themselves have
never made such mistakes-mistakeS which
time renders grotesque. The instinct of
the people is always wiser than the wis
dom Of any mind, no matter how profound.
The instinct of Crockett, Boone. George
Rogers Clarke, and all those hearts of dar-
ing through which our racial blood poured
swift and strong. was truer than the
thought of any statesmen of their day.
Jefferson declared that he had no con-
stitutional power to acquire Louisiana, and
there spoke his thought; but he acquired
Louisiana, nevertheless, and there spoke
his instinct-his instinct, the inherited wis
dom of our race. And to-day We thank
God for the wisdom OF his deeds and try
to forget the unwisdom of his words.
considering this past, dare We say to-
day that the growth of the American peo-
pie is done? Dare we say to-day, as Jeffer-
son said hundred years ago, that our
present territory is sufficient for the thou
sandth generation? Dare we say, as Quincy.
of Massachusetts, said, that our institu-
tions are imperiled and our Constitution
violated, because the American people are
putting forth their natural and growing
strength? Dare we deny that our institu-
tons are as vital as the people who made
them. and that our Constitution has in IL
all the elements of growth possessed by
the Nation itself for which it was ordained?
And having governed ourselves. expanded
our dominion. administered government to
a people impossible of absorption, through
all of our history devising new methods as
new occasions required them, developing
new powers in the Constitution as the
emergencies of the Nation called for them,
can it be- as the twentieth century dawns
that there will be denied to US the judg-
ment well done, thou good and faithful
servant; thou hast been faithful over "a
few things, l will make thee ruler over
many things?
be the chronicle which history shall write
of the twentieth century American. Our
vital forces have not run so low; not only
have our vital forces not run so low, but
they are still on the floOdtide and will rise
higher and higher yet through generations.
Let US have faith in our children. Wis
dom did not die with our fathers, and wis
dom will not die with Us.
Go out into the country districts OF the
Republic during any great campaign and
behold the magnificent young women and
seriously study the splendid young men of
the new generation-lords OF vitality, no.
blemen of power, with capacity written on
their brows, high purpose shining in their
eyes, and with the stride OF kings-and
YOU dare not doubt that here are the faith
ers and mothers OF the master people OF
the world Nay. more-you dare not doubt
that here even now. are the master peo-
pie OF the world.
THE AMERICAN RACE.
at .t mss remember that the American
race-for a new race has been formed In
Americans only in its young manhood
Let Us remember that with all their