The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-23
A NOTABLE EXCEPTION.
Richard olncy Has Not Joined the
Democratic Pessimista.

Nv IN
Democratic P~essimists.
Since Judge Parker and the Demo
cratic party have chosen to make an
issue of the aggressive and progressive
activities of the Republican party which
in the span of one generation nave plac-
ed tho United States in the van of the
worlds civilization. it may be we'll to
recall that there is at least one Demo-
crat who has not joined in his party's
pessimistic walls.
Massachusetts Democracy for President
rotary of State during Cleveland's sec
ond term, and author of the ringing
phrase in support of the Monroe doctrine
-"To-day the United States is practical
ly sovereign on this continent, and it's
fiat is law upon the subjects to which
it confines its interposition," is a Demo-
crat who has something stronger than
diluted ASS milk in his veins
In an article printed in the Atlantic
Monthly for March, 1900, on the
Growth of Our Foreign Policy" Rich
ard Olney anticipated and confuted al
most every pitiful plea for national stag
nation and dishonor uttered by Judge
Parker in the two instances when he has
vcntured to open his mouth. Where
the Democratic candidate counsels that
the United States shall live for and
within itself alone, Mr.. Olney boldly
proclaimed that such a policy had tend
ed to belittle the national character"
and has led to a species of provincial
ism and to narrow views of our duties
and functions as a nation"
Where Judge Parker in his unfamii-
iarity with the meaning of the phrase.
due TO his seclusion from the world at
Esopus, proclaims that the United
States became Il world power ovei. n
csatury ago" Mr.. Olney. with broader
knowledge of the world, says that His
torianS will probably assign the aban-
donmcnt of the isolation policy to the
time when this country and Spain went
to war over Cuba"
Nor can there be any serious question
but Mr.. Olney is right.
And in this connection it was that
Cleveland's virile Secretary of State
said, The United States has come out
of its shell and ceased to be a hermit
among nations. naturally and properly"
He also emphasized the necessity for
preparation to COP with larger respon-
sibilities in these terms:
1T goes without saying that the United
States cannot play the part in the worlds
atfairs 1t has just assumed without equip
PIN Itself for the part with all the in
struinentaltties necessary to make its will
felt, whether through pacific intercourse
and negotiation or through force. We can
not assert ourselves as a power whose
Interests and sympathies are as wide as
corresponding to the claim.
THE equipment required for our new
international role must not be discussed
nt any ,,, length s We must have 1.-THE
logic OF which will be iiresistible-and
however slow to move or i~ndisposed to face
the facts, the national government must
sooner or later provide for it,"
There was much more to the same
effect. every word ringing with sterling
and enlightened appreciation of the
American determination to meet the OBJ
legations of our expanding national OPP
portunities. Without failing to recog-
nize that the triumphs of peace are the
true objective of a republic, Mr.. Olney
grasped the eternal truth that peace and
liberty and progress can only be insured
by full provision to maintain them by
force.
The nation which goes about with
nothing hut an olive branch in its mouth
in other words, without increasin. its
expenditures for coast defenses. for ships
and guns, for men and arms-caunot eX-
pect its voice will be needed. in the
councils of nations. Every dollar the
United States is spending on it's army
and navy to-day is an insurance against
war and national dishonor.