The Somerset reporter., 1904-06-02

pressed, because their cause was lust And
our position today, among the nations Of the
world, is that of a great, liberty loving and
liberty giving people. AS long as we are
true TO our ideals, and have faith in the prin-
ciples Of our fathers, SO long shall our govern
ment endure successfully, as it has been sue
cessful, in the past
War will exist, in the future, as il has in
the past. True, it is claimed that the trend
OF modern civilization is towards universal
peace, and it is often stated that common
prudence, and the fearful destructive power
of modern weapons, will render it so danger
Gus to human life, to engage in war, that
nations will shrink from the ordeal, and con-
troversies will be settled by arbitration, and
disputes decided in the council hall, rather
than upon the battle field. But, do not
agree with this. The history of the world
has been the story of one war following upon
another, mighty nations crumbling before the
onslaught OF more vigorous foe, and a new
people Succeeding to power upon the ruins Of
the one, they have DESTROYED. 1t is human ma
ture. All life is but battle and, as prudent
and sensible people, we should make in time
OF peace, all the necessary preparations for
any emergency that may arise Our army
should be kept in the highest state of efficien-
cy, ready at moments call, and our navy
should be big enough and strong enough, to
protect, the lives and property of American
citizens, whenever and wherever unjustly
assailed.
Since the war with Spain, we have become
one of the great world powers, respected and
and admired by all With our growth in
power and prestige, new duties have come to
us, duties which call for the wisest and most
intelligent management of affairs We are
not confined, today, to the limits Of the
United States, but our possessions now ex-
tend to the far east. 1t may not have been
WISE in the first place, To have taken over the
PHILIPPINES, but now that we have put our
hand 10 the pillow. We cannot turn back, and
We should protect and educate these people,
until they are ripe for self government, and
when that time comes, give them back the
sovereignty OF their country, and make them
a freesand independent nation.
Because OF our extensive possessions, there
is no brighter future for the boy of today,
than is found IN the navy Our contests will
be fought on the sea, rather than on the land.
We are essentially a commercial nation. We
are growing at the rate of million people a
year, and in hundred years from now, we
shall number practically two hundred million
of people. The Imagination is dazzled when
it contemplates our future. We shall become
the most powerful and influential nation on
the globe, and our wealth will begreater than
was ever known. Envy, malice, will attack
us, and we must learn we'll the lessons taught
by the war of Of, lessons Of bravery and
courage, Of preparations and readiness for
any emergency.
We are proud To belong to a country wise
enough and strong enough to do what it
knows ought t. he dc ne, and we admire our
government when it waived aside the con-
ventionalites of the time and despite the
angry protests Of the grumbling states Of
Central America, and in opposition to the
malign influence Of the nations of Europe,
decided to build the canal across the Isthmus
| of Panama. 1t was demanded by the people
of this country 1t was demanded by the
commerce of the world.
1t is pleasure to US to know that, when
the foreigners were besieged at Pekin, during
the Boxer uprising and the allied troops
marched to their relief, that our soldiers were
the first to scale the wall oil the beeagured
fortress, and, with the japanese, were the
first to plant their flag upon its ramparts.
1t was an American commodore, who, a
little over forty years ago, opened the door of
Japan, and started that wonderful people
upon their march Of progress and civilization.
Naturally we are sympathetic with them, in
the mighty struggle now going on, in the far
east, and we have tendency to applaud
their victories. No one dreamed that they
would hold out long against the mighty pow
er of the Car, yet each day chronicles some
new Japanese success. But we, in America,
ought always to have kind regard for Rus
= IL |, Il, r. Il
darkest hour of the war of the Rebellion,
when the fate Of the Union trembled in the
balance, and 1t was impossible to forecast
which side would win the victory, the minis
tiers Of England and France, decided that it
was time to recognize the southern confed-
eracy. 1t meant everything, as far as the
issue of that struggle was concerned. Such a
recognition would give the south a place
among the powers of the world, enable her
to place a war loan, and give her generals
new courage, and her soldiers new enthu-
siasm. In that critical moment, five great
Russian war vessels quietly sailed into the
harbor of New York and as quietly dropped
their anchor. This gave notice to the world
that Russia was our friend, and that those
who struck al US, must cope with her. The
southern confederacy was not recognized, and
for that kindly act upon the part of Russia,
let us at this moment, when she is the VIC
tim of adversely and disaster, not forget the
gratitude which we owe her.
Thirty-nine years have passed since Lees
surrender at Appomattox, and the bitter feel
ings, anger and hatred Of that time, have
passed away. We recognize that the south
ern soldiers were brave and honest people,
fighting for a cause, which they believed to
be Just. They are now our brothers and our
countrymen, and when you go forth from this
hall, this afternoon, to decorate the graves
in our cemeteries, if there is single confed-
ate soldier sleeping there, believe that each
old veteran in this hall. would take the
wreath from his arm and place it as gently
upon that Southron's grave as he would place
it upon his comrades mound. You may not
be able to forget, but you have been able to
forgive, and it is now one country and one
flag, and when a common danger strikes at
the Union, we know no north, no SOUTH but
they send forth to the conflict their Wheelcrs
and their Lees. as gladly and as willingly as
we send our Woods and our Roosevelts
Forty years ago, you babe farewell to
mother, wife and sweetheart, and went forth
to the conflict. You were an army Of young
men, the average age being only twenty two.
There was the spring Of youth IN your step,
the joy Of coming conflict in your eye. After
four years time, you came back, battle
SCARED veterans. Since then, no new re-
cruts have been added to your ranks, but
certainly and surely the angel Of Death has
dropped his missiles among you, and YOU
have fallen as your comrades fell at the vii
derness and at Gettysburg, You are growing
fewer in number every year.