Evening journal., 1904-08-10


world seeking TO obtain here the liberty
and prosperity denied them 10 their own
countries, spread over the face of the
land. reduced the prairies and forests 20
cultivation hunt cities, constructed high
WAYS and railroads. tiil now a nation
which AT the formation OF the government
numbered only three millions in popula-
tion has become eighty millions and from
ocean 70 ocean ana the lakes 20 the guli
the country ie ihe abode Of free and
prosperous people, advanced In the nigh
est degree in the learning and arts OF
civilization IL Is the liberty. the advance
mcnt and the prosperity Of ita ciuzena'
not any career ~ conquest. that make ihe
country a world power This condition /
we owe to the bounty Of Providence un-
folded IN the great natural resources or
the country. to the wisdom OF our IA i
theirs mnnifested I'm the form OF govern
mcnt established by thonii 20 the energy
Industry. moral character ana law abiding /
spirit OF the people themselves.
We arc not military people. bent on
conquest or engaged In extending our
domains in foreign lands or deslrous OF
securing natural advantages. however !
great. by force but a people loving peace /
not only for ourselves, but for all the ma |
tions Of the earth
The display Of great military arma- ]
mcnts may please the eye and for the mos !
mcnt excite the pride Of the citizen, hut |
Drawn and muscle OF a single immigrant /
or induce thf investment here Of dollar
OF capital or course such armament az
may bo necessary for the security or tht
country and the protection OF the rights
OF It's citizens az home or abroad must be
maintained ANY other course would pe
not only false economy. but pusillanimoNs
/ protest however. against the feeling, I
now far too prevalent. that by reason OF
the commanding position we have aaHufn-
cd in the world We must take part 20
the disputes and hroils 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. I also protest against the
erection OF any such military eatnbliss-
mont as would be required 20 maintain
the country Ia that attitude We should
cohnne our International activities solely
TO matters IN which the rights OF the
country or Of our citizens are directly
involved. That is not q situation OF iso-
lation but Of independence.
The government OF the United States
was organized solely Tor the people Of the
United States. While Il was contemplat-
ed that this country should become n
refuge for the oppressed Of every LAND
who might be ft 90 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 career OF political or civillzlng evan
gelizaton In foreign countries or among
alien races by Intervention IN their af-
fairs. The most efficient work We can DC
In uplifting the people OF other countries
IS by the presentation OF a happy pros
porous. self governing nation az 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
men Of today 10 the history OF the civil
war. For nfty years, with the exception
Of the war with Mexico. this country had
been at peace. with a standing army most
OF the time OF less than ten thousand
men. lie who thinks that the nation had
grown effeminato during that period
should read the casualty rolls Of the
armies on either side az Shiloh, Antletam.
Frederickshurg and Gettysburg az Stone
River and Chickamauga. I would be The
last man 20 pluck a single laurel from
the crown OF any one of the military he
roes 10 whom this country owes so much.
/ but I Insist that their most heroic deeds
! proceeded infinitely more from devotion
to the country than from martial spirit
As I have already proceeded at too
/ great length, other questions suggested IN
the platform must await my letter OF ac-
1 ceptance.
Mr.. Chairman. in most graceful speech
! you have reminded me Of the great re-
sponsihilty as well as the great honor OF
the nomination bestowed upon me by the
convention you represent this day. BE
assured that both are appreciated. sd
keenly appreciated that I am humbled In
their presence
/ accept gentlemen Of the committed
the nomination. and n the action OF the
convention shall be indorsed by an elec-
tion by the people ] will. God helping
me, give 20 the discharge OF the duties OF
that exalted office the best service OF
which 7 am capable and al the end OF the
term retire 20 private life. / shall not
be a candidate for nor shall I accept a
/ denomination. Several reasons might be
advanced for this position. hut the con-
I trolling one with me Is that / am fully
/ persuaded that no incumbent Of that office
should ever be placed in situation OF
| possible temptation 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 to
| all Of the people have been ia the past
and viii be IN the future presented 20 the
president for determination. and in ap-
preaching their consideration as 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 Tor two terms or sought TO sue
coed themselves for strong arguments can
be advanced Ia support Of the reelection
OF a president IL Is simply my judgment
that the interests OF this country are now
so vast and the questions presented are
frequently Of such overpoworing magni-
tudo 10 the people thnt II Is indienanqa hia
20 the maintenance Of behtting attitude
before the people not only that the chief
magistrate should be independent. but
that that Independence should be known
Of all men.