The San Francisco call., 1904-08-11


power. This condition We owe to the bounty
Of Providence unfolded in the great natural
fathers manifested in the form OF government
established by them. to the energy industry,
moral character and law abiding spirit OF the
people themselves
NOT BENT UPON CONQUEST.
We are not military people bent con-
in foreign lands or desirous of securing nat
ural advantages however great. by force; but
a people loving peace not only for ourselves
but for all the nations of the earth. The dis
play OF great military armaments 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 A
single immigrant nor induce the investment
here of a dollar of capital or course, such
curity OF the country and the protection of
the rights of its citizens at home and abroad
must be maintained. Any other course would
be not only false economy but pusilanimous
1 protest, however. against the feeling. now
far too prevalent, that by reason Of the com
manding position we have assumed in the
world we must take part in the disputes and
broiis 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 csta blishments
would be required to maintain the coun-
try in that attitude. We should con1ne our
International activities solely TO matters in
which the rights Of country of
citizens are directly involved That is not a
situation of isolation. but Of independence.
The Government OF the United States
organized solely for the people Of the United
States. While 1t was contemplated that this
country should become a refuge for the op-
pressed OF every land who might be At to
discharge the duties of our citizenship. and
while we have always sympathized with the
people Of every nation in their struggles for
self-government. the Government was not
ated for a career OF political or ctviizing
evangelization in foreign countries or among
alien races 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 emu
lated. model to be followed. The general
occupation Of citizens in the arts OF peace
or in the absence of large military armaments
tends 10 impair neither patriotism nor physical
courage. and for the truth OF this l refer the
young men Of to-day to the history Of the Civil
war.
For fifty years with the exception Of the
war with Mexico. this country had bSen at
peace. with a standing army most OF the time
Of less than 10000 men He who thinks that
the nation had grown effeminate during that
period should read the casualty rolls OF the
armies on either side OF Shiloh, Antietam,
Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. at Stone
River and at Chickamauga- 1 would be the
last man 10 pluck a single laurel from the
crown OF any one OF the military heroes to
whom this country owes much, but insist
that their most heroic deeds proceeded infn-
itely more from devotion to the country than
from martial spirit.
As I have already proceeded at too great
length. other questions suggested in the plat
form must await my letter OF acceptance. Mr..
Chairman, in most graceful speech you have
reminded ne OF the honor or the nomination
bestowed upon me by the convention you rep
recent this day. Be assured that both are ap-
preciated-so keenly appreciated that l am
humbled in their presence.
FAVORS ONE TERM IDEA.
accept gentlemen Of the committee m.
nomination. and If the action of the conven-
tion shall be insorsed by an election by the
people ! will. God helping me, give to the
discharge OF the duties Of that exalted office
the best service Of which 1 capable, and
at the end OF the term retire TO private life.
! shall not be candidate for shall / ac-
cept a denomination. Several reasons might
be advanced for this position. but the con-
trolling one with me is that 1 fully per-
suaded that no incumbent Of that office should
tation TO consider what the effect of any ac-
tion taken by him In an administrative mat
ter Of great Importance might have upon his
political fortunes.
Questions Of momentous consequence to all
OF the people have been in the past anc will
be in the future presented to the President
for determination. and in approaching their
consideration. well as in weighing the
facts and the arguments bearing upon them,
he should be unemba rrassed by any possible
thought Of the influence his decision may
have upon anything whatever that may affect
him personally. / make this statement, not
in criticism Of any of Presidents from
Washington down who have either held the
themselves: for strong arguments could be
advanced in support OF the reelection OF a
President 1t is simply my Judgment that the
interests of this country are now so vast and
the questions presented are frequently Of such
overpowering magnitude to the people that II
is Indispensable to the maintenance Of a be-
fitting attitude before the people not onfy
that the Chief Magistrate should be inde-
pendent. but that independence should be
known Of all men.