The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-15
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER IS.
WE ARE A GREAT NATION.

The Turkish government seems TO be
impressed with the idea that the United
States is in earnest in its demand
that order shall be restored in Beirut
and the American citizens there pro-
tected. 1t is something unusual for II
10 act as promptly as it has IN remOY-
ing the Incompetent vail of that pro-
vince and appointing in his stead the
governor Of Damascus. Ordinarily the
demand for the removal of thu govern
or of the province would either no
have been needed or there would have
been made a promise to investi-
gate the matter and make the change
of governors if it was found that the
incumbent was incompetent or *
erted an influence to the detriment of
the foreign population, and that would
have been the last heard of the protest
and demand.
Turkey evidently thinks such protest
aAd demand on the part of our govern
ment means more and has to have
prOmpter attention paid it than such
notes from the European powers.
i II hcS TcdIlZcS Tic ullleIcIlte De
tween q movement of this kind by
our government and by one of the Eu-
ropean powers. She has for so many
years played the nations OF Europe
against n another that she gives lit
tie heed to any demand any one of
them may. make on her. She knows
that no II of them will allow any
~ - -,,r L1- - T[1 --4I TIys%L.
them she can temporize and delay to
her heart's content. But it is not so
with the United States. We have no
balance Of power to look after. We
are not hedged in by any international
jealOuSies. We have an open, straight
forward policy laid down and one that
we are going to follow. Uncle Sam is
going to hew to the line and he does
not care in whose faces the chips fall.
Our flag has got to be respected in
foreign countries and our citizens must
be protected. 1t is humiliating to have
to admit that this has not always been
The case. There was a time a few
years back when the Stars and Stripes
were cot accorded much honor in GER
tain foreign parts and American citi-
zens had a hard time in maintaining
their rights, but those days are gone
now-gone for overland there is 10
flag more respected and honored any
where in the world than the thirteen
bars and fOrty-lVe stars of the western
republic. We. are a world power and
h people of this country are proud
of it. No matter how much any one
may c~riticise the foreign policy of the
administration or inveigh against the
new doctrine of imperialism" it can
not be denied that the American peo-
DIE, irrespective of party affiliations.
are proud of their government and Of
the high place she occupies among the
nations of the world.
We are a great and a mighty ma
ton. The powers OF Europe recognize
that fact. Those of them who do not |
admit it in so many words show by |
their action that they realize III fact. |
and there is not an American citizen |
who loves his country who does not
rejoice at 1t.
When on thai May morning in Manila
bay Admiral Dewey said to the COM
OF the Olympia. Mr.. Ridley,
you can fire when You are ready he
brought the American republic TO the
forefront OF the world powers and gave
her a position m those nations
which was as much a surprise to them
as it was 10 Us. Before that neither
we nor they knew our power. They
were as quick TO recognize it as we
were 10 feel it. and from that day the
political map of the world was
changed.
Ever since the Turks have had a
foot hold in Europe their government
has been noted for its dilatoriness in
Its dealings with the other powers.
Its promtpness in acceding 70 the de-
mands Of u government in the re-
moval of the vail of Beirut i the best
evidence that could be produced of
the influence which our country
Yields in international affairs-of the
prominent position which she holds
among the nations Of the world. She
more power AUTOMATICALLY today
IN european affairs han any nation of
that continent because they all re-
cognize the fact that she is perfectly
independent in international affairs
and IS not held down. as they are. by
petty jealOusies and fear OF one count
try gaining some advantage over the
others. We are a great people and a
powerful nation and the balance of the
world recognizes the fact.
We are a great nation. whether you
spell it with a big or a little IN" andI
American people recognize the fact
ana are proud Of it-Bryanites, Cleve-