Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-10

~,n. a., u..,,. 40 sr4ssrse ~ sAslHtnin
ehs country In that attitude. We should
Genuine our International activities soieiy
10 matters In. which the rights OF tnc
country or OF our citizens are directiy
involved. That is not situation OF $50
lation but OF independence.
The government OF the United States
was organized solely for the people OF the
United States While IL was contemplate
ed that this country should become
refuge for the oppressed or every iahu
who might be At to discharge the duties
of our citizenship, and while we have al
ways sympathized with the people OF eV-
cry nation In their struggles Tor SER gov.
eminent, the government was not create'
for a career OF political or civiiizing evan
eellzation In foreign countries or among
alien races by Intervention In their al
fairs. The most efficient work we can @
In uplifting the people OF other countries
ia by the presentation OF happy. pro-
porous. self governing nation as an ioe-i
to be emulated. a model TO be foilowei'
The general occupation OF our citizens IN
the arts of peace. or the absence CT larso
military ornaments. tends to impair nei-
Their patriotism nor physical courage, ana
for the truth Of this l refer the young
men Of today to the history OF the civil
war For fifty years. with the exception
Of the war with Mexico. this country had
been at peace, with q standing army most
of the time of less than ten thousand
men. He who thinks that the nation had
grown effeminate during that period
should read the casualty rolls of the
armies on either side at Shiloh Antietam,
Fredericksburg 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 he
roes TO whom this country owes SO much.
but I insist that their most heroic deeds
proceeded 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 ac-
ceptance.
Mr.. Chairman, in most graceful speech
you have reminded me OF the great re-
sponslbillty as we'll as the great honor OF
the nomination bestowed upon me by the
convention you represent this day. BE
assured that both are appreciated. so
keenlF appreciated that am humbled In
their presence.
accept, gentlemen OF the committee.
the nomination. and II the action of the
convention shall be Endorsed 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
term retire to private life. / shall not
be candidate for nor shall I accept
denomination. Several reasons might be
advanced for this position, but the con-
trolling one with me Is that l am fully
persuaded that no incumbent of that office
should ever be placed In a situation Of
possible temptation to consider what the
effect CT action taken by him I'm an adj
ministrative matter of great importance
might have upon his political fortunes.
Questions Of momentous consequence to
/ all OF the people have been in the past
/ and will be in the future presented to the
president for determination, and I'm APP
i preaching their consideration as well as
in Weighing the facts and the arguments
l bearing upon them he should be unem-
barrassed by any possible thought Of the
| influence his decision may have upon
i anything whatever that may affect him
| personally. / make this statement not in
| criticism OF any Of our presidents from
| Washington down who have either held
| the office for two terms or sought to sue
coed themselves. for strong arguments can
| be advanced In support of the recollection
OF a president. II is simply my judgment
that the interests of this country are now
so vast and the questions presented are
| frequently of such oyerpowering magni-
tude to the people that II is Indispensable
10 the maintenance of a beftting attitude
before the people not only that the chief
magistrate should be independent but
that that independence should be known
| Of all men.