The semi-weekly messenger., 1904-08-12

investment here Ola 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 maintained. Any
other course would be not only false
economy, but pusillanimous. 1 pro-
test. however. against the feeling, now
far too prevalent. chat by reason of
the commanding position we have as
sumed in the world, we must take
part in the disputes and broils of for
eign countries: and that because We
have grown great We should intervene
in every important question that arises
in other parts of the world. I 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
ters in which the rights Of the country
or OF our citizens are directly involv-
ed. That Is not a situation of isola-
ton. but Of independence.
The government Of the United States
wars organized solely for the people Of
the United States. While 1t was con-
templated that this country should be-
come refuge of the oppressed Of
every land. who might be fit to dis
charge the duties of our citizenship,
and while we have always sympathiz-
ed with the people of every
nation in their struggles for
self-gevernment the government
was not created for a career Of politi-
cal or civihzing evangelization in for.
eign countries or among alien races
by Intervention in their affairs. The
most efficient work We can do in up
lifting the people of odher countries
is by the presentation OF a happy,
prosperous, self-governing nation as
an ideal to be emulated. a model to
be followed. The general occupation
OF our citizens in the arts of peace, or
the absence Of large military arma-
ments, tends to impair neither patriot
ism nor physical courage. and for the
truth OF this I refer the young men
of today to the history of the Civil
war. For fifty years, with the excep.
ton of the war with Mexico, this coun-
try had been at peace. with standing
army most of the time of less than ten
thousand men. He who thinks that
the nation had grown effeminate dur
ing that period should read the casu-
atty rolls of the armies on either side
at Shiloh, Antietam. Fredericksburg
and Gettysburg, at Stone River and
Chickamauga. I would be the last
man TO pluck a single laurel from the
crown or any one of the military he
roes to whom this country owes so
much, but insist that their mose
heroic deeds proceeded infinitely more
from devotion to the country. than
from martial spirit.
AS have already proceeded at too
great length, other questions sug-
gested in the platform must await my
letter of acceptance
Mr Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me of the
great responsibilities, as we'll as the
great honor of the nomination be-
slowed upon me by the convention you
represent this day. Be assured that
both are appreciated-so keenly ap-
prec1ated that I am humbled in their
presence
1 accept, gentlemen Of the commit
tee, the nomination, and if the action
or the convention shall he endorsed
by an election by the people. I will.
God helping me. give to The discharge
OF the duties of that exalted Office the
best service of which I am capable and
at the end Of the term retire to private
lie. 1 shall not be a candidate for
nor shall accept a renomination
Several reasons might be advanced for
this position, but the controlling one
with me Is that am fully persuaded
that no incumbent of that office should
ever be placed in a situation of posi-
Die temptation to consider what the
ERECT of action taken by him in an
administration matter Of great I'm
portance might have upon his polit1
carl fortunes. Questions Of r,omentous
consequences to all the people have
been In the past and will be in the
future presented to the President for
determination, and in approaching
their consideration. as well as I'm
weighing the facts and the arguments
bearing upon them. he should be un- /
embarrassed by any possible thought
of the influence his decision may have
upon anything whatever that may
affect him personally. 1 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 succeed
be advanced in support of the re-elec-
ton of President. 1t is simply my
judgment that the interests of this
country are now so vast and the oues-
tons presented are frequently Of such
overpowerfng magnitude to the people
that IT Is indispensable to the MAIN
tenance Of betting attitude before
the people, not only that the chief
magistrate should be Independent, but
That that independence should be
known to an men.
Judge Parker followed his manuscript
closely.
Among the notable visitors today was
former Senator David B. Hill
TrOODs Ordered tn March 700 Mile,