Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-19

of the navy. and she has proved her
sincerity both by the acts of her sons on
the floors of legislative halls as well as
those who have served before the mast
and worn an admiral's uniform.
$50 it must be concluded, my friends,
that Maryland is not without renown in
the history of the navy and naval war
fare. She has had her heroes, as have
other States. In the course of coming
events she will doubtless have many
more, but none more valiant than thuse
who have gone before.
INSPIRATION FROM FORT M'HENRY.
1.-THE burning of Washington and the
devastation of the shores of the Chesa-
peake by the British brought our people
and our statesmen to q realization that
an effectual, efficient navy was neces.
sary to insure our national integrity
and peace, and furnished the occasion
which inspired Francis Scott Key to
compose that anthem, the noblest of
them all, 'The STAR pangled Banner
81 believe there is a consensus of
opinion throughout this country that a
great navy is necessary both for the
maintenance of our rights and the pre-
servation of peace. In the case of our
own country regard large navy as a
pledge of peace as we'll as an arm with
which to strike at distance. With our
large extent of seacoast and our enor.
nous commercial interests it would be
criminal negligence if We did not pre-.
pare for an emergency.
WANTS GREATEST NAVY IN WORLD.
"The United States should have the
best and most powerful navy of any
nation in the world. do not hesitate
to say that Maryland is in favor of it.
"We now have on our hands distant
islands of wide territorial extent con.
tanning millions of population. We
have assumed guardianship over the
young Republic of Cuba. We have
pledged ourselves to maintain the
Monroe doctrine. We shall build "a canal
across the Isthmus of Panama sooner OF
later. The United States is committed
to these policies. and must be prepared
to enforce them against all the world
or any nation thereof, if need be.
FOR WORLD WIDE PROTECTION.
"A large navy is notice to the world
that the rights Of every citizen OF the
United States will be protected, and his
wrongs indicated as thoroughly in
Turkey or China as in our own country.
and that wherever we have right to
enforce, we will have the power to back
it.
sour sister republics of South America
look to us to protect them against the
invasion OF foreign powers We must
be ready at any time to do this. In pro
tecting them we protect ourselves. That
is the Monroe doctrine in a nutshell. 1t
is not scheme of philanthropy; it is a
policy of self.preservation.
"The American people are united
without regard to party politics in up.
holding and enforcing this policy. 1t is
evident, therefore, that the United
States must keep on building vessels of
war. To do so will be economy in the
long run. Neither their buildings nor
their maintenance will be as expensive
as prolonged and bloody war. especial
ly should we be found unprepared. Be-
sides. this country is rich enough to do
it without feeling the expenditure bur.
densome. The United States, with all re-
sources, developed and undeveloped, is
the richest country in the world. 1t is
still in it's infancy, powerful as it has
already become.
"Let us go on then, with this neces-
sary work. Let us build more ships.