Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-08-19
LAWRENCEBURG. TENN, FRIDAY, AUGUST 49, 1904

q
nation which at the formation of the
government numbered only 5000, 900 In
population, has become $4,000 900, 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. It is the liberty, the ad-
vancement and the prosperity Of IT.
citizens, not any career of conquest, that
make the country 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. H t.
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 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 the
brains, Drawn and muscle of 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. 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. | also
protest against the erection Of any
such military establishment as would
be required to maintain the country In
that attitude. We should confne. our
International activities solely to mat
tiers in which the rights of the country
or of our citizens are directly involved.
That is not situation Of isolation, but
of independence. ,aa. =
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-
pie Of every nation In their struggles for
self-government, the government was
not created for q career Of political or
civilizing eyangelizatio ii foreign coun-
tries or among alien races by interview
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, a
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 / 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 standing army most
of the time of less than 10000 men. He
who thinks that the nation had grown Of
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 / would be the last man
to 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
| acceptances ", ~ n MI
Mr.. chairman In most graceful
speech you have reminded me of the
great responsibility, as well as the great
lonor, Of. the nomination bestowed
upon me by the convention you repre-
sent this day. Beassured that both are
appreciated keenly appreciated that
am humbled in their presence.
accept, gentlemen of the committee
he nomination, and liz the action Of the
convention shall be- endorsed by al, cleo
ton by the people, Twill God helping me
give to the discharge Of the duties of that
exalted office the best service. of which
am capable and at the end of the term
retire to private life. Ishall not be q
candidate for, nor shall accept, renom'
Iination. Several reasons might be ad'
Ivanced 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 a situation
Of possible temptation to consider wha'
the effect of action taken by him In ar
administrative matter of great impor'
lance might have upon his political for
tunes. Questions of momentous ,conse
ouence to all the people have been in thu
past and will be in the future presented
4 to the president for determination, and
Fin approaching their consideration, al
well as in weighing the facts and the ar
iguments bearing upon them, he SHOULD
| be umembarrassed by any possible
Thought Of the infiuenee'his decision MAJ
] have upon anything whatever that ma,
affect him personally. Imake this state
lment, not in criticism of any of otrpresl
dents from Washington down who hay'
1 i.