Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-08-19
degree In the learning aud arts Of civillza.

ueRTce III tho ieaIuluB auu Au " N'"~
ton.
1t is the liberty, the advancement and the
prosperity of its citizens, not any career OF
conquest, that make the country world
power, This condition we owe to the bounty
of Providence, unfolded in the great natural
resources Of the countrS to the wisdom OF
our fathers, manifested in the form OF gov
eminent established by them to the energy,
industry, moral character and law-abiding
spirit Of the people themselves.
We are not a military people, bent on COZ
quest or engaged in extending our domains
in foreign lands, or DESTROYS of securing ma
tural advantages, however great by force
but people loving peace moi only for our
selves, but for all the nations OF the earth
NO FOREIGN TANGLEs.
The display of great military armament
may please the eye and for the moment eX'
cite the pride Of the citizen, but It cannot
bring TO the country the brains, Drawn and
muscle OF a single immigrant, nor induce the
investment here Of dollar of capital, OF
course such armament as may be necessary
for the security Of the country and the pro-
tecticn Of the rights of its citizens at home
or abroad must be maintained. Any 9th
course would be not only false economy, but
pusillanimous.
protest, however, against the feeling, now
mandlng 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 10 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 con6ue our in-
tesnational activities solely to matters in
which the rights OF the country or of our
| citizens are directly involved That is not a
situation Of isolation, but Of Independence.
MISSION OF UNITED STATES.
The Government Of the United States was
organized solely tor the people of the United
States. While II WAS contemplated that this
country should become q refuge for the OPP
pressed Of every land, who might be 6t to
discharge the duties Of our citizenship, and
while we have always sympathiEed with the
people of every nation in their struggles for
self. go vernment, the government was not
created for career of political or civiliEing
evangeliZatiOn 10 foreign countries or among
| alien races.
The most efficient work we can do IN up
lifting the people OF other countries is by the
presentation Of a happy, prosperous, self
| governing nation as an ideal TO be emulated,
y model to be followed. The general occu-
patton of our citizens In the arts of peace or
the absence Of large military ornaments
tends to impair neither patriotism nor ply
steal courage, aud for the truth Of this
refer the young men of to-day to the history
Of the Civil War For 80 years, with the ex-
ception 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
effeminAte during that period should read
the casualty rolls Of the armies on either side
al Shiloh, Antetam, Fredericksburg and
Gettysburg, at Stone River and Chicka-
manga / would be the last man to pluck a
single laurel from the crown Of any one OF
the military heroes to whom this country
owes 30 much, but | insist that their most
heroic deeds proceeded Infinitely more from
devotion TO the country than from martial
spirit
WILL TAKE NO REMUNERATION.
As | have already proceeded al too great
length, other questions suggested IN the plat
form must await my letter OF acceptance.
Mr. Chairman In most graceful speech
YOU have reminded me OF the great RESPONSE
bility IS well as the great honor OF the nom
inAtion bestowed upon me by the convention
you represent this day. BE assured that both
are appreciatsd-sO keeuly appreciated that
am humbled In their presence
1 accept, gentlemen of the committee, the
nomination, and II the action OF the cOnven-
ton shall be Endorsed by an election 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 a
the end of the term retire TO private lite.
, shall not be candidate for, nor shall ! &C
. cept, n denomination. Several reasons NIGH
a be advanced for this position, but the con
| mil In nj | mar
( suaded that no incumbentO Of that Office shOu ID
Q ever be placed 10 situation Of possible temp
) tatiOn to consider what the effect Of actio
taken by him ia an administrative matter o
| great importance might have upon his pc
litical fortunes.
Questions OF momentOus consequence to al
, OF The people have been In the past and will
be 10 the future presented 10 the President
for determination, and In approaching their
consideration, as we'll rs in weighing the
facts and the arguments bearing upon them
he should be unembarrassed by any possible
thought of the influence his decision ma
have upon anything whatever that may affect
him personally.
| make this statement not in criticism OF
any OF our Presidents, from Washing lou
down, who have either aeld the Office for
two terms or sought TO succeed themselves
for strong arguments can be advanced In
support OF the reelection Of q President II
is simply my Judgment that the interests Of
this country are now 80 vast and the ques
tons presented are frequently Of such over
pOwering magnitude to the people that II II
Indispensable TO the maintenance OF beiit.
ting attitude before the people, not only thai
the Chief Magistrate should be independent
but that that independence should be known
OF all men.