Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-08-18

eGtS TO cuItiFatlOu, uullt clueS- CouSuGN
ed highways and railroads, TIL now
nation which at the formation Of the
government numbered only 5000. GOO In
population, has become s0.000,00o, ana
from ocean to ocean and the lakes to the
gulf, the country Is the abode OF q free
and prosperous people, advanced in the
highest degree in the learning and arts
OF civilization. 1t is the liberty, the ad-
yancement and the prosperity OF its
citizens, not any career of conquest, that
make the country world power. Tbs
condition we owe TO the bounty OF PROV.
denee, unfolded in the great natural re-
sources of the country, to the wisaom
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 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 arn,a-
men.s may please the eye and, for the
moment, excite the pride OF the citizen,
but it cannot bring to the country the
brains, Drawn and muscle Of single
immigrant, nor induce the investment
here of q dollar OF capital. OF course
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 De
not only false economy, but >pasiilani-
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 the 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. | also
protest against the erection OF any
such military establishment as would
be required to maintain the country IN
that attitude. We should confine our
international activities solely to mat
ters in which the rights of the country
or of our citizens are directly involved.
That is not a situation Of isolation, but
of independence.
| The government OF the United States
was organized solely for the people OF
the United States. While It was ecl-
templated that this country should be-
come a refuge for the oppressed OF every
land, who might be fit to discharge the
duties of our citizenship, and while we
have always sympathlzed with the peo-
pie OF every nation in their struggles Tor
self-government, the government was
not created for career OF political or
civilizing evangelization in foreign cour-
| 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 a 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
armaments. 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 90 years. with the exception of the
war with Mexico, this country had been
at peace, with 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
Chickamauga. l would be the last man
to pluck single laurel from the crown
| of any one of the military heroes to
whom this country owes SO much, but
/ | insist that their most heroic deeds pro-
ceeded infinitely more from devotion to
the country, than from martial spirit.
AS have already proceeded at too
great length, other questions suggested
| in the platform must await my letter OF
acceptance.
Mr.. Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me OF the
great responsibility, as we'll as the great
| ionor. OF the nomination bestowed
upon me by the convention you repre-
sent this day Be assured that both are
appreciated-so keenly appreciated that
I am humbled In their presence.
/ accept. gentlemen Of the committee,
he nomination, and ii the action OF the
convention shall be indorsed by an cleo
ton by the people, will, God helping me,
give to the discharge Of the duties OF that
| exalted Office the best service OF which
am capable and at the end OF the term
I retire to private life. | shall not be
candidate for, nor shall accept, renom-
| nation. Several reasons might be adj
yanced for this position. but the con-
trolling one with me is that am fully
persuaded that no incumbent Of that Of
/, fee should ever be placed in situation
of possible temptation to consider whas
the effect OF action taken by him in an
administrative matter OF great inpor"
lance might have upon his political for.'
tunes. Questions of momentous conse-
ouence to all the people have been in ths
past and will be in the future presented
| to the president for determination, and
In approaching their consideration. a.
! well as in weighing the facts and the az.
guments bearing upon them, he should
be unembarrassed by any possible
thought of the influence his decision may
/ have upon anything whatever that may
AFFECT him personally. make this state.
ment. not in criticism of any Of our press-
dents. from Washington down who have
te;thee held the Office for two terms or
sought to succeed themselves: for strong
Laxguments can be advanced in support OF
| the reelection of a president. !. Is SIM
| My. my Judgment that the intereste 81
| this country are now SO vast and the
questions presented are frequently OF
such overpowering magnitude TO the
people that it is indispensable 70 the
maintenance of a BETTING attitu'ie be-
fore the people, not only that the cnisi