The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-01-25
FOR CONSERVATISM.
xsProsident Cleveland Talks to Z
Holland Society.
He Denounces the Wars of Aggression Now
Being Waged by Great Britain In South
Africa and by the United States In
the Philippines.


Rev. DR.. Henry Van Dyke, president
Of the society, presided. On his right
sat ex-President Cleveland, and Tunis
g. Bergen at his left, while covers
were laid for 300, and all places were
taken. The speakers were Grover
Cleveland, DR.. Andrew Fl. Smith and
Charles w. Dayton. Ex-President
Cleveland said:
The cordial welcome you extend to me
Is exceedingly grateful and comforting,
for 1t gives me q grain of satisfaction
In the ordeal that confronts me. I am
convinced that the art Of making an
after-dinner speech without distress Is for
me sealed book; and as the years pass,
/ am only saved from complete wretched-
ness In my efforts in that direction by the
kindness and liberation of those who are
good enough to listen to me- cannot re-
sent the charge that am apt to preach a
sermon on occasions of this kind. for
am afraid this accusation Is justified. 1t
has been my lot to be much on the sober
side of life, and to feel the pressure of
great responsibilities. Besides, believe it
sometimes happens that an excess of light
hearted gayety creates a conditioner pop
ular thought and impulse, that may profit
ably be steadfed by sedate suggestions
and the expression of conservative SEN
timent-even though 1t may be called SER
Ing to take any humble place among the
sermonizers. in this time of headlong ma
tiOnal heedlessness and to invoke the Gull
tivation and saving grace of Dutch con-
servattsm that counts the cost, but for
the sake of principle and freedom will dis
regard cost: that lays out a voyage by
chart and compass and follows chart and
compass to the end: that loves the liberty
and national happiness which rest upon
tried and sure foundations; that teaches
reverence for national traditions and en-
cOurages the peoples satisfaction with
their countrys mission. 1t is the kind
Of conservatism in which our constitution
had its birth and which has thus far been
the source of our nations safety and
strength-the conservatism of justice. Of
honor, Of honesty. of industry, of fru-
galitys and of contented homes.
In this assemblage Of those who know
SO we'll the meaning of these things, the
question Is suggested whether in present
conditions this conservatism characterizes
the conduct or guides the sentiment of our
people. There can be but one answer to
this question. Conservatism has in a great
degree been jauntily cast aside, or con-
demned as opposed to our country's well
fare and glory A strange voyage has
been entered upon without count or cost,
and without chart or compass. The tried
and sure foundations Of our liberty and
national happiness have been discredited.
Reverence for our national traditions has
been relaxed, and satisfaction with our
countrys mission has been undermined.
The restraints and limitations of our con-
stitution have become CALLING and irksome
under the temptations of national greed
and ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Our old love of
peace. honor and justice has been weak
ened and frugality and contentment are
now traits inseparable from American
character
War; even with the worlds advanced
- A.
sary and justifiable; but whether necessa-
ry and justifiable or not, the demoraliza-
ton that follows it's train can never be
evaded. It teaches bloody instructions
which In country whose citizens do the
fighting cannot fail to leave their impress
for a time at least, upon public and pri-
waite life in time of peace.
Thirty years after the close of the war
for the preservation of the union, a treaty
of arbitration was formulated between the
United States and Great Britain, which, IL
completed, would have gone far toward
removing every pretext of war between
the two countries. Thus these two great
nations then. assumed
leadership In the path Of peace, and in
advocacy of the abolition of WARMTH the
hope and expectation that the example
would be Followed by other nations, and
that more general adoption Of arbitra-.,
tionxas q means of settling international
disputes would result in a great advance
toward the abandonment Of war through
out the world. The treaty failed of con-
frrnation in the senate of the United
States. Less than five years passed, and
these English-speaking champions of
peace and arbitration are still operating
In parallel lines-one In the Philippines
and the other in South Africa-but no
longer for peace and arbitration. Both
are killing natives in an effort to possess
their lands.
This indicates a sad relapse; and in our
case 1t Is most serious one. If England
succeeds in her attempt in South Africa.
she will but add another to her list of
similar acquisitions: brave people will
be subjugated ;sand because of our engage
ment in a similar venture in another quar-
ter they will miss the expressions Of
American sympathy which we are accus-
toned to extend TO those who struggle for
natiouaflffe and independence. On the other
hand, with success in our subjugation eff
fort. new. untried and exceedingly peril
can conquer the Philippines, and after
them can probably govern
them. 1t Is in the strain upon our in
situations, the Generalization of our peo-
pie. the. evasion of our constitutional linn
ftations, and the perversion of our nation
al mission that our danger lies.
The problem is a momentous one. It's
solution depends upon the extent to which
the old patriotism and good sense of our
ing danger. Thus these are sober days
for thoughtful citizens-days for preach
ing-days for sermonixing. II we are to
be saved from disaster 1t must be through
the cultivation and enforcement of that
sort Of conservatism that should find a
congenial home In the Holland society In
the midst Of reckless tumults and in the
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