Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-09-15

nal was so great that our opponents
do not venture to raise the Issue In
straightforward fashion; for If so
raised there would be no Issue. The
decisive action which brought about
this beneficent result was the eXer-
else by the President of the powers
vested In him. and in him alone. by
the Constitution. the power to rec
ognize foreign governments by enter
ing into diplomatic relations with
them. and the power to make treat
les which, when ratified by the Sen
ate. become under the Constitution
part of the supreme law of the land,
Neither in this nor in any other mat
ter has there been the slightest fail
ure to live mp to the Constitution in
letter and in spirit. But the Consti-
tuition must be observed positively
as wen as negatively, The Presidents
duty is to serve the country in accor-
dance with the Constitutions: and |
should be derelict in my duty If |
used false construction of the Con
stitution as a shield for weakness and
timidity, or as an excuse for govern
mental impotence.
Similar Misrepresentation is the
one weapon of our opponents in re-
gard 70 our foreign policy, and the
way the navy has been made useful
in carrying out this policy. Here
again all that we ask is that they
truthfully state what has been done,
and then say whether or not they OBJ
iect to 1t; for If continued in power
we shall continue our foreign policy
and our handling of the navy on ex-
actly the same lines in the future as
in the past. To what phase of our for
eign policy. and to what use of the
navy. do our opponents object? Do
they object to the way in which the
Monroe Doctrine has been strength
ened and upheld? Never before has
this doctrine been acquiesced in
abroad as it is now; and yet, while
upholding the rights of the weaker
American republics against foreign
aggression. the Administration has
lost no opportunity to point out to
these republics that those who seek
equity should come with clean hands
and that whoever claims liberty as a
right must accept the responsibilities
that go with the exercise of the right
Do our opponents object to what was
lone in reference to the petition of
American citizens against the Kish-
onev massacre? or to the protest
against the treatment of the Jews in
Roumania? or to the efforts that have
been made in behalf Of the Arme-
mans in Turkey? No other Admins
trations in our history. no other gov
ernment In the world. has more CON
sistently stood for the broadest spirit
of brotherhood in our common hui
manity, or has held a more resolute
attitude OF protest against every
wrong that outraged the civilization
Of the age, at home or abroad. Do
our opponents object to the fact that
the international tribuna, at the Ha-
que was rescued from impotence. and
turned into potent instrument for
peace among the nations? This gov
ernment has used that tribunal, and
advocated its use by others, in pur-
suance of its policy to promote the
cause of international peace and good
will by all honorable methods. In
carrying out this policy, it has set
lied dispute after dispute by arbitra.
ton or by friendly agreement, 1t has
behaved towards all nations. strong
or weak, with courtesy, dignity, and
justice; and 1t is now on excellent
terms with all.
'Do our opponents object to the
settlement of the Alaska boundary
line? Do they object to the fact that
after freeing Cuba we gave her recip-
rocal trade advantages with the Uni
ted States, while at the same time
keeping naval stations in the island.
and providing against its sinking into
chaos, or being conquered by any for
eign power? Do they object to the
fact that our flag now flies over Porto
Rico? Do they object to the acquisi-
tion of Hawaii? Once they hauled
down" our flag there; we have hoist
ed it again; do they intend once more
to haul 1t down? Do they object to
the part we played in China? Do they
not know that the voice of the United
States would now count for nothing
in the far east If we had abandoned
the Philippines and refused to do
what was done in China? Do they OBJ
iect to the fact that this Government
secured peaceful settlement of the
troubles In Venezuela two years ago?
DO they object to the presence of the
ship-oi-war off Colon when the revo-
luton broke out in Panama. and when
only the presence of this ship saved
the lives of American citizens, and
prevented insult to the flag? Do they
object to the fact that American war
ships appeared promptly at the port
of Beirut when an effort had been
made to assassinate an American of
fetal and in the port OF Tangier
when an American citizen had been
abducted? and that in each case the
wrong complained of was righted and
explated? and that within the last few
days the visit of an American squad
ron to Smyrna was followed by the
long-delayed concession of their just
rights to those Americans concerned
in educational work In Turkey? Do
they object to the trade treaty with
China so full of advantage for the