The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-08-18

Of it's citizens at home or abroad must be
maintained. Amy other course would be
not only false economy but pusillanimous.
l protest however. against the feeling.
now far too prevalent, that by reason of
the commanding position we have assum-
ed in the world we must take part in
the disputes and broils of foreign coun-
tries and that because We have grown
great we should intervene in every impor-
tant question that arises in other parts
of the world. l also protest against the
erection of any such military establish
ment would be required to maintain
the country in that attitude. We should
eonfinc our International activities solely
to matters in which the rights of the
country or of our citizens are directly
involved. That is not a situation OF iso-
lation, but of independence.
The government of the United States
was organized solely for the people of the
United States. While it was contemplat-
ed that this country should become a
refuge for the oppressed of every land
who might be fit to discharge the duties
of 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
for a career of political or civiliZing evan
geliZation in foreign countries among
alien races by intervention in their af-
fairs. The most efficient work We can do
in uplifting the people of other countries
Is by the presentation Of a happy, pros
porous, self governing nation as an ideal
to be emulated, a model to be followed
The general occupation Of our citizens i'm
the arts of peace or the absence Of large
military armaments. tends to impair nei-
ther patriotism nor physical courage, and
for the truth Of this / refer the young
nen of today to the history OF the civil
war. For fifty years. with the exception
az he N.Fyp Gyin TO hs,d
been at peace. with standing army most
of the time of less than ten Thousand
men He who thinks that the nation had
grown effemnate during that period
should read the casualty rolls OF the
armies on either side at Shiloh. Antictam
Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. at Stone
River and Chckamaugo. / would be the
last man to pluck a 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 l have already proceeded at too
great length. other questions suggested in
the platform must await my letter OF ac-
ceptanCe.
Mr.. Chairman, In most graceful speech
you have reminded me of the great re-
sponsibility as well az the great honor OF
ths nomination bestowed upon me by the
convention you represent this day. lie
assured that both are appreciated So
keenly appreciated that / am humbled in
their presence.
/ accept. gentlemen OF the committee
the nomination and II the action Of s1s.
convention shall be indoraed by an .le,-
ton by the people / will. 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 cf the
term retire to private life. / shall not
be candidate for nor shall | accept Il
renomina ton. Several reasons might be
advanced for this position. but the con-
trolling one with me Is that l am fully
Persuaded that no incumbent Of that office
should ever be placed In a situation %
possible tempta ton to consider what the
effect OF action taken by him In an ad-
ministrative matter Of great importance
might have upon his political fortunes.
Questions Of momentous consequence %
all of the people have been In the past
and will be in the future presented to the
president for determination. and In ap-
preaching their consideration az well as
IN weighing the facts and the arguments
bearing upon them he should be unem-
barrassed by any possible thought of the
influence his decision may have upon
anything whatever that may AFFECT him
personally. / 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 suc-
| ceed themselves. for strong arguments can
be advanced in support OF the reelection
of a president. 1t Is simply my judgmen.
that the interests of this country are now
so vast and the questions presented are
/ frequently of such oyerpowering magni-
/ tude to the people that ii IL Indispensable
/ TO the maintenance OF a befitting attitude
| before the people not only that the chief
| magistrate should be independent. but
that that fndependence should be knoWr:
Of all men.