The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-08

western hemisphere, but also, I think
I may safely say, have exemplified the
firm purpose of the United States
that its growth and influence and
power shall rebound not to the harm
but to the benefit of our sister re-
publics whose strength is less. Our
growth, therefore, is beneficial to hu-
man kind in general. We do not in
tend to assume any position which
can give just ofense to our neighbors.
Our adherence to the rule of human
right is not merely profession. The
history of our dealings with Cuba
shows that we reduce it to perform
ance.
"The Monroe doctrine is not intel-
national law, and though I think one
day it may become such, this is not
necessary as long as it remains car
dinal feature Of our foreign policy
and as long as we possess both the
will and the strength to make it
effective. This last point, my fellow
citizens, is all important, and is one
which as a people we can never afford
to forget. I believe in the Monroe
doctrine with all heart and soul; |
am convinced that the immense ma
jority of our fellow-co -countrymen so be-
lieve in it; but / would infinitely pre-
fer to see US abandon it than to see US
put it forward and. buster about it,
and yet fail to build up the efficient
fighting strength which in the last
resort can alone make it respected by
any strong foreign power whose inter-
est it may ever happen to be to violate
it.
Boosting and clustering are as OBJ
jectionable among nations as among
individuals, and the public men of a
great nation owe it to their sense of
national self-respect to speak courte-
ously of foreign powers, just as a
brave and self respecting man treats
all around him courteously. But
though to boast is bad. and causeless-
ly to insult another, worse; yet
worse than all is to be guilty of boast
ing, even without insult, and when
called to the proof to be unable to
make such boasting good. There is a
homely old adage which runs: Speak
softly and carry a big stick; you will
go far. If the American nation will
speak softly, and yet build, and keep
at pitch Of the highest training, a
thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe
doctrine will 60 far. ask you to
think over this. If you do, you will
come to the conclusion that it is mere
plain common sense, SO obviously
sound that only the blind can fail to
see its truth and only the weakest
and most irresolute can fail to desire
to put it into force.
"Well, in the last two years, [ am
happy to say we have taken long
strides in advance as regards our
navy. The last congress, in addition
to smaller vessels, providing nine OF
those formidable fighting ships upon
which the real efficiency of any navy
in war ultimately depends. 1t pro-
vided, moreover, for thu necessary
addition of officers and enlisted men
to make the ships worth having.
Meanwhile the navy department has
seen to it that our ships have been
constantly exercised at sea, with the
great guns, and in maneuvers, SO that
their efficiency as fighting units, both
individually and when acting tcgeth-
er, has been steadily improved. Re-
member that all Of this is necessary.
A war ship is huge bit of mechan-
ism, well-nigh as delicate and compll-
oa+od nc ~ ic formidable IT. takes