Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-08-19

domains IN foreign lands or desirous Of
securing natural advantsges however
great. by force. but n people loving pence
NOT only Tor ourselves. but for all the ma
tions of the earth
The display of great military arma-
ments may please the eye and for the mo-
nent excite the pride OF the citizen. but
~ cannot bring TO the country the brains
orawn ana muscle OF single immigrant
or induce the Investment here Of a dollar
OF capital. OF course such armament as
may be necessary for the security OF fha
country and the protection OF the rights
OF us citizens at home or abroad must be
maintained Any other course would be
not only false economy. but pusillanimoua
protest, however. against the feeling
now far too prevalent. that by reason OF
tne commanding position we have essum-
,n. sn IA ,. me world We must take part IN
tries and that because we have grown
great we should intervene sn every fmpor-
tant question thai arises IN other parfa
OF the world also protest against the
erection OF any such military establish-
ment as would be required 10 n,aIntaIr
the country IN that attitude, we should
confine our International activities soielv
10 matters In which the rights OF the
country or OF our citizens are directly
Involved. That 60 not a sftuatior, of tso-
latton. but OF Independence
me government OF the United States
was organized solely for the people OF the
United States. While It was contenplat-
60 that this country should become a
refuge for the oppressed OF every lsnd
who might be At TO discharge the duties
or our citizenship. and while we have al
ways sympathized with the people Of ev-
cry nation In their struggles for self gov
ernment. the government was not created
Tor career OF political or civilizing evan
gelization In foreign countries or among
allen races by Intervention In their az
fairs The most efficient work we can do
In uplifting the people OF other countries
IL by the presentation OF q happy. pros
porous. self governing nation as an IDEAL
70 be emulated. a model TO be followed.
The general occupation of our citizens in
the arts OF peace. or the absence Of large
military arrnaments. tends to impair nel-
tner patriotism nor physical courage. and
for the truth Of this / refer the young
meh OF today to the history OF the civil
war. For fifty years. with the execution
OF the war with Mexico. this country had
been at peace. with a standing army most
of the time OF less than ten thousand
men. he who thinks that the nation had
grown eneminate during that period
should read the casualty rolls Of the
armies on either side at Shiloh. Antietam.
fredertcksburg and Gettysburg. at Stone
last man TO pluck n single laurel from
the crown OF any one OF the military he
roes to whom this country owes so much
but 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-
ccptance.
Mr.. Chairman. IN most graceful speech
you nave reminded me OF the great re-
sponsibility as well as the great honor OF
the nomination bestowed upon me by the
convention You represent this day Be
assured that both are appreciated. so
keenly appreciated that I am humbIed IN
their presence.
accept. gentlemen OF the committee
the nomination. and IL the action OF tho
convention shall be indorscd by an elec-
tion by the people i win. God helping
me, give to the discharge OF the duties OF
that exalted ONCE the best service OF
which 1 am capable and at the end OF the
term retire 20 private life. ] shall not
DO candidate for nor shall accent a
denomination. severni reasons might be
advanced for this position, but the con,
trolling one with me "a that i am f,tlIv
persuaded that no incumbent OF that offlco
should ever be placed in n situation OF
possible temptation to consider what the
effect or action taken by him IN an ad-
ministrative matter OF great Importance
nlsnl nave upon his political fortunes,
Iuestions OF momentous consequence 70
al OF tho people have been In the past
ana VIII be In tho future presented 10 tho
president for determination, and in ap-
preaching their consideration as well as
In Weighing the facts and the arguments
bearing upon them he should be unerr,-
parrqssed by any possible thought of the
influence his decision may have upon
anything whatever that may affect him
personally i mako this statement not In
Sriucism OF any OF our presidents from
washington down who have either held
the once for two terms or sought 90 sue.
ceec themselves. for strong arguments can
Do advanced In support OF the reelection
OF president IL is simply my Judgment
tnat the interests OF this country are now
so vast ana tho questions presented ara
frequently OF such overpowering maeni-
tude 10 the people that Il Is Indispensable
70 the maintenance OF a betting attitude
oefore the people not only that the chief |
lnagistrate should be independent. but
that that Independence should be known |
ot all men.