The progress., 1904-10-01

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nation which u the forma&l6m x ~
government numbered only 5000, 90 II
population, has become $4,000 ,0oO, and
from ocean to ocaan and the lales to the
sull, the country ID the abode OF : free
ana prosperous people. advanced IN the
highest degree In the learning and ara
OF civilization. It is the liberty, the ad-
vancement and the prospso1tg Of il
citizens, not any career Of conquest, that
make the country asworld power. This
condition we owe to the bounty Of provi-
dence, unfolded in the great natural re-
sources Of the country, to the wisdom
Of our fathers manifested in the form OF
government established by them, to the
energy, industry. moral character and
.law-abiding spirit Of the people them-
selves
We are not a military people, bent on
conquest, or engaged in extending our
domains in foreign lands, or desirous
of securing natural advantages, how.
ever great, by force; but people low
Ing peace, not only for ourselves, but
for all the nations Of the earth.
The display of great military arma-
ments may please the eye and, for the
moment, excite the pride of the cltisen,
but 1t cannot bring to the escountry the
brains, Drawn and muscle of q single
immigrant, nor induce the investment
horo ~ - IO1Javs nf fol ne
such& armament as may be necessary
for the security of the country and the
protection of the rights Of its citizens,
at home or abroad, must be main.
tained. Any other course would be
not only false economy, but pusillani.
NOUS protest; however, against the
feeling, now far too prevalent, that, by
reason of the commanding position we
have assumed In the world, we must
take part. in tie DISPUTES and broils Of
foreign countries; and that because we
have grown great we should intervene
in every important question that arises
in other. parts Of the world. l also
protest against the erection Of any
such military establishment as would
be required to maintain the country In
that attitude. We should conflne our
international activities solely to mat.
ters in which the rights Of the country
or of our citizens are directly involved.
That is not situation of isolation but
Of independence.
The government Of the United States
was organized solely for the people OF
the United States. While 1t was con-
templated that this country should be-
come refuge for the oppressed OF every
land, who might be fit to discharge the
duties of our citizenship. and while. We
have always sympathized with the peo-
pie of every nation in their struggles for
self-government, the government was
not created for a career OF political or
civilizing evangelization In foreign coun-
tries or among alien races by interven-
ton In their affairs. The most efficient
work we can do in uplifting the people
of other countries is by the presentation
of happy, prosperous, self-governing
nation as an ideal to be emulated, q
model to be followed. The general oc-
cupation of our citizens In the arts OF
peace, or the absence Of large military
tends to impair neither pa
triotism nor physical courage, and for
the truth of this refer the young men
of to-day to the history of the civil war.
For so years, with the exception OF the |
war with Mexico this country had been |
at peace, with a standing army most |
Of the time of less than 10000 men. He |
who thinks that the nation had grown ef-
Terminate during that period should read
the casualty rolls of the armies on either
side at Shiloh, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg and Gettysburg, at Stone River, and
l would be the last man
% pluck single laurel from the crown
If any one Of the military heroes to
whom this country owes so much, but
| insist that their most heroic deeds pro-
,eeded infinitely more from devotion to
he country, than from martial spirit.
AS have already proceeded at too
great length, other questions suggested
III the platform must await my letter Of
s.
Mr.. Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me Of tho
great responsibility, as well as the great
lonor. of the nomination bestowed
,pon me by the convention you repre-
ent this day. Be assured that both are
keenly appreciated that
am humbled in their presence.
l accept, gentlemen of the committee.
he nomination, and if the action of the
convention shall be inSorsed by an elec-
ion by the people, will, Cod helping me,
live to the discharge of the duties of that
xalted Office the best service of which
am capable and at the end Of the term
etire to private life. l shall not be a
andidate for, nor shall accept, renom-
nation. Several reasons might be ad-
anced for this position. but the con-
rolling one with me is that / am fully
ersuaded that no incumbent Of that Of
Ice should ever be placed in situation
( possfDle temptation to consider what
he effect of action taken by him In an
administrative matter of great impor-
ance might have upon his political for
unes. Questions of momentous conse- =
uence to all the people have been In the
asst and will be in the future presented
O the president for determination. and
n approaching their consideration, as
,ell AZ in weighing the facts and the ar
uments bearing upon them, he should
a unembarrassed by any possible
ought of the influence his decision may
ave upon anything whatever that may
feet him personally. make this state
,ent. not in criticism of any of our presi-
ents from Washington down who have
ther held the Office for two terms OF
ought to succeed themselves; for strong
can be advanced In support of i
ne reelection of president. 1t is SIM '
ly my judgment that the interests of :
,is country are now SO vast and the ,
uestions presented are frequently Of !
icu overpowering magnitude to the 4
eoule that II is indispensable to the 8
ainienance of oeftting attitude be- ]
ire the people. no. only that the chief \