Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-08-20
s,s 10 t1,'i1ttion, built cities, construct.

highest degree in the learning and arts
OF civilization. 1t is the liberty, the ad-
vancement and the prosperity OF its
citizens, not any career OF conquest, that
make the country a world power. This
condition we owe to the bounty OF proyi'
sources Of the country, to the WISDOM
of our fathers manifested in the form Ok
government established by them to the
energy, industry. moral character and
law-abiGiug spirit Of the people them
selves.
We are not military people, bent on
conquest, or engaged in extending our
domains in foreign lands, or desirous
Of securing natural advantages, how.
ever great, by force; but people lov'
ing peace, not only for ourselves, but
for all the nations Of the earth.
The display Of great military arma.
ments may please the eye and, for tho
moment, excite the pride Of the citizen,
but it cannot bring TO the country tho
brains, Drawn and muscle OF single
immigrant nor induce the investment
there OF dollar of capital. Of course
such armament az may be necessary
for the security OF the country and tho
protection Of the rights of Its citizens.
at homo or abroad, must be main
tanned. Any other course would be
not only false economy, but pusillani.
nous. protest, however, against the
feeling, now far too prevalent. that, by
reason OF the commanding position We
have assumed in the world, we must
take part in the disputes and broI's OF
foreign countries aud that because we
have grown great we should intervene
in every important question that arises
! in other parts of the world. also
protest against the erection OF any
such military establishment as would
/ be required to maintain the country in
| that attitude. We should coniine our
international activities solely to mat
ters in which the rights Of the country
or of our citizens are directly involved
That Is not situation Of isolation, but
Of independence.
The government OF the United States
was organized solely for the people OF
the United States. While II was con-
templated that this country should be-
come refuge for the oppressed OF every
land. who might be it to discharge the
duties of our citizenship, and while wc
have always sympathlzed with the peo-
/ pie OF every nation in their struggles for
self-government, the government was
not created for career Of political or
| civilizing evangelization In foreign coun-
tries or among alien races by iDterven-
| ton in their affairs. The most efficient
work we can DO in uplifting the people
of other countries is by the presentation
of 2 happy, prosperous, governing
nation rs an ideal to be emulated,
model to be followed. The general oc-
cupation Of our citizens in the arts OF
peace, or the absence of large military
armaments. tends to impair neither pa
triotism nor physical courage, and for
the truth Of this refer the young men
of to-day to tho history of thc civil war.
For % years, with the exception OF the
war with Mexico, this country had been
at peace with standing army most
OF the time OF less than 10000 men. He
who thinks that the nation had grown eff
Terminate during that period should read
the casualty rolls of the armies on either
side at Shiloh, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg and Gettysburg. at Stone River, and
Chickam2uga, would be the last man
to pluck a single laurel from the crown
of any one of the military heroes to
whom this country owes so much, but
| insist that their most heroic deeds pro-
ceeded infinitely more from devotion to
the country, than from martial spirit.
Az I have. already proceeded at too
great length, other questions suggested
in the platform must await my letter Of
acceptance.
Mr.. Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me of tho
great responsibility, AS well as the great
lonor. of the nomination bestowed
upon me by tho convention you repre-
sent this day. he assured that both are
appreciated keenly appreciated that
| am humbled in their presence,
accept, gentlemen Of the committee,
he nomination, and II the action Of the
convention shall be indorsed by an elec-
ton Ivy the people, will, God helping me,
give to the discharge Oft the duties of that
exalted Office the best service OF which
am capable and at the end Of the term
retire to private lie. shall not be a
candidate for, nor shall accept, renom-
ination. Several reasons might be ad-
vanced for this position, but the con-
trolling one with me is that | am fully
persuaded that no incumbent of that Of
fee should ever be placed in situation
Of possible temptation to consider what
the effect OF action taken by him in ar
administrative matter Of great i9por"
tancc might have upon his political fore
tunes, Questions OF momentous conse,
ouence to all the people have been in the
past and will be In the future presented
to the president ior determination, and
In approaching their consideration. as
we'll as in weighing the facts and the ar
guments bearing upon them, he should
be unembarrassed by any possible
thought Of the influence his decision may
have upon anything whatever that may
affect him personally, lmahe this state.
mept. not in criticism ofany of our presi-
dents from Washington down who have
either held the Office for two terms OF
sought to succeed themselves: for strong
arguments can ne advanced in support OK
the reelection Of E president. J! Is sir,-
ply my Judgment that the interests u
this country are now 20 vast and tho
questions presented are frequently OF
such overpoTering magnitude to the
people that it is indispensable 10 the
maintenance of betting atttude be-
fore the people, not only that ths chie!
magistrate should be Independent but
that THAI independence should be Buown
OF all men.