The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1904-08-19
SITS to cultivation. built cities. construct.


government numbered only 3,000,O 900 IN
population, has become so 900 900, and
from ocean to ocean and the lakes to the
gulf, the country is the abode of free
and prosperous people, advanced in the
highest degree in the learning and arts
of civilization. 1t is the liberty, the ad
vancement and the prosperity of it,
citizens, not any career of conquest, that
make the country a world power. This
condition we owe to the bounty Of provi-
dence, unfolded in the great natural re-
sources of the country, to the wisdom
of our fathers manifested in the form of
government established by them, to the
energy, industry, moral character and
law-abiding spirit of the people them
selves.
We are not a military people, bent on
conquest, or engaged in extending our
domains in foreign lands, or DESTROYS
of securing natural advantages. how
ever great, by force; but people low
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 the
moment, excite the pride of the citizen,
but it cannot bring to the country tho
brains, Drawn and muscle of a single
immigrant, nor induce the investment
here of a dollar of capital. OF course
such armament as may be necessary
for the security of the country and the
protection of the rights of its citizens,
at home or abroad, must be main
tanned Any other course would be
not only false economy, but pusillani-
nous. 1 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 broils 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 establishment as would
be required to maintain the country in
that attitude. We should confine our
international activities solely to mat
tiers in which the rights of the country
or of our citizens are directly involved.
That is not a situation of isolation, but
of independence.
The government of the United States
was organized solely for the people OF
the United States While it was con-
templated that this country should be-
come refuge for the oppressed of every
land, who might be fit to discharge the
duties of our citizenship, and while we
have always sympathized with the peo-
In ba;r oil fol
the government was
not created for career OF political or
civilizing evangel1zation in foreign coun-
tries or among alien races by interven-
ton in their affairs. 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 emulated,
model to be followed. The general oc-
cupation of our citizens in the arts OF
peace, or the absence of large military
ornaments, tends to impair neither pa
triotism nor physical courage, and for
the truth of this 1 refer the young men
of to-day to the history of the civil war.
For so years, with the exception of the
war with Mexico, this country had been
at peace, with a standing army most
Of the time of less than 10000 men. He
who thinks that the nation had grown sf-
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
Chickamauga. l would be the last man
10 pluck single laurel from the crown
Of any one of the military heroes tn
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.
AS 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 tina
great responsibility, as well as the great
lonor, of the nomination bestowed
lpon me by the convention you repre-
sent this day. Be assured that both are
keenly appreciated that
am humbled in their presence.
accept, gentlemen of the committee.
he nomination, and if the action of the
shall be Endorsed by all cleo
ion by the people, 1 will, God helping me,
1--WE to the discharge of the duties of that
xalted Office the best service of which
am capable and at the end of the term
.etire to private life. l shall not be
,andidate for, nor shall l accept, renom-
nation. Several reasons might be adj
ranced for this position, but the con-
rolling one with me is that l am fully
persuaded that no incumbent OF that Of
ice should ever be placed In situation
f possible temptation to consider what
he effect of action taken by him in an
matter of great impor-
ance might have upon his political for
unes. Questions Of mOmentOus conse-
luence to all the people have been in the
,ast and will be in the future presented
o the president for determir alton, and
n approaching their consideration, as
veil as in weighing the facts and the ar
.uments bearing upon them, he should
,e unembarraSsed by any possible
bought of the influence his decision may
ave upon anything whatever that may
fleet him personally. make this state
nent. not in criticism of any of our presi-
ents from Washington down who have
ither held the Office for two terms or
ought to succeed themselves; for strong
rguments can be advanced in support Of
he reelection of a president. 1t is SIM
,ly nv Judgment that the interests of
his country are now SO vast and the
uestions presented are frequently OF
UGH overpowering magnitude to tina
'eople that it is indispensable to the
maintenance of a BETTING attitude be-
pre- the people, not only that the chief