The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
The One Hundred and Twenty
Sixth.


Sixth.
Dating from the day of the Deel4ra-
ton of Independence we are full CEN
fury and one. quarter old, and today, enter
upon the second quarter of our second
century as a nation.
This is youthful In comparison with
some of the powers with which the
United States is lined up in foreign
affairs as world power, but the youth.
fulness is not counted against the
United States to her detrimeut in the
councils OF the nations. This has been
demonstrated in the history Of our
country during the four years past, as it
had not in former times. Our country
has taken her place as one of the First
Powers and no nation really has greater
influence or more magnificent resources
than the United States Of America.
The people of Christendom have had
an eye-opener In regard to the strength
OF our country within four years. The
~
Revolution been power. 1t has lacked
In number of ships and In number OF
men, but courage and fortitude of men,
with intrepidity and ability of COM
manders have made 1t invineible. The
Spanish navy was greatly feared In the
recent war with Spain but it had nc
ht,c no ~
Spanish ships of war could not stand be.
fore the American ships. The American
ships, guns and men behind the guns
were superior to those making up the
Spanish navy and victory for Americans
could not be long delayed under these
circumstances.
The triumph of American arms or
land have not during the four years
above mentioned, been as signal. Under
| the circumstances it could not be so
The contest between armies on land IL
not so absolutely conclusive as the con.
test between navies on the sea, but the
victories of our armies In Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines were sufficient
to demonstrate in an emphatic manner
the valor and discipline Of our army and
the generalship Of commanders.
The war with Spain has emphasized
the theory that the best way to prevent
war is to be prepared for it. The course
of the Spanish government would prob
ably have been very different had they
been aware of the strength of our army
and navy. They believed they could
easily annihilate our Navy and promptly
whip our army. They bad no compre
hension of the condition Of either. 1t Il
extremely doubtful whether they would
have allowed hostilities to have occurred
il they had had an adequate idea of the
strength of our navy or of the fighting
qualities of army or navy and the re
sources of our country for war purposes
No European government will agalr
make the mistake Spain did. All have
an object-lesson that will cause them tC
hesitate long, before throwing down TIT
gage of battle at the feet OF your "Unclt
Samuel"
Our Government has new duties tC
perform and new responsibilities have
come with its changed relations. They
are difficult and complicated ones, to bt
sure, but they will be entered upon will
confidence and the spirit of patriotism
and the diffielltie will be surmounted Ii
good time and our nation will continue
the onward course, without fiinching OF
attempting to avoid the responsibilities
as they may arise.
Prior to the Spanish war we had beer
long time without any foreign en-
tanglements and that came about largely
through misconception of our ability
to take care of our interests. May it be
many, many years before we shall agair
be called upon to enter upon armed con
| flict, at home or abroad.