Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-08-18
conquest, that make The country a

conquest, that make The country 4
world power. This condition we owe tf
the bounty of Providence, unfolded in
the great natural resources of the
country, to the wisdom of our fathers
MANIFESTED by them, to the energy, in
uuSIry. moral character and lAw-Sbid-
ing spirit OF the people themse1veA
We are not a military people, bent
on conquest, or engaged I'm extending
our domains in foreign lands. or dSA
s1rous OF securing natural ADVANTAGES
however great, by force; but q people
loving peace, not only for ourselves.
but for all the nations of the earth.
MILITARY DISPLAY.
"The great display of military ar
maments 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 mus
Gle OF a single Immigrant, nor induce
the investment here of a dollar of
capital. OF course, such armament as
may be necessary for the security
o. the country and the protection OF
the rights Of it's citizens at home or
abroad, must be maintained. ANY
other course would be not only false
UlO.
test, however, against the feeling.
now Tar 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 for
eign countries, and that BECAUSE we
have grown great we should inter
vene in every important Question that
arises in other parts Of the world. I
also protest against the erection OF
any such military establishment as
would be required to maintain the
country in that attitude. We should
confine our international activities
solely to matters in which the rights
OF the country or of our citizens are
directly involved. That is not a sit
uatlon of isolation, but of indepen-
dence.
KEEP HANDS OFF FOREIGN
TROUBLES.
"The government of the United
States was organized solely for the
people OF the United States. While
it was contemplated that this coun-
try should become a refuge for the
oppressed Of every land, who might
be fit to discharge the duties of our
SAIAAOA0A4p, dAO WILLY we Lave dl-
ways s~ympathized with the people of
every nation In their struggles for
self-government, the government was
not created for career of political or
civilizing evangelization in foreign
countries or among alien races.
"The most efficient work we can do
in uplifting the people of other coun
tries is by the presentation of a hap
py, prosperous, self-governing nation
as an ideal to be emulated, a model to
be followed. The general OCCUPATION
OF our citizens in the arts Of peace,
o. the absence of large military ar
maments, tends to impair neither pa
triotism nor physical courage, and
for the truth of this I 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
a standing army most of the time of
less than ten thousand men. He who
thinks that the nation had grown eff
Terminate during that period should
read the casualty rolls of the armies
On either side at Shiloh, Antietam,
Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, at
Stone River and chicamauga. I
would be the last man to pluck a SIN
gle laurel from the crown of any one
of the military heroes to whom this
country owe SO much. but I insist
that their most heroic deeds pro-
ceeded infinitely more from devotion
to the country, than from martial
spirit. AS I have already proceeded
at too great length, other questions
suggested i'll the platform must await
my letter of acceptance.
NOMINATION ACCEPTED.
"Mr. Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me of the
great responsibility, as we'll as the
great honor Of the nomination be-
slowed upon me by the convention
you represent this day. Be assured
that both are appreciated-so keenly
appreciated that I am humbled in
their acceptance.
II accept, gentlemen of the commit
tee, the nomination, Ind if the action
OF the convention shall be endorsed
by an election by the people, I will,
God helping me, give to the discharge
of the duties of that exalted Office
the best service of which I am capa-
BILE and at the end of the term retire
to private life. l shall not be a candi-
date for, nor shall l accept a re-nom-
nation. Several reasons might be adj
rvanced for this position, but the con-
trolling one with me is that I am fully
persuaded that no incumbent Of that
Office should ever be placed in a stu
alton of possible temptation to con-
slider what. the effect of action taken
by him In an administrative matter
OF great Importance might have upon
his political fortunes. Questions OF
momentous consequence to all of the
people have been in the past and will
be in the future presented to the
President for determination, and in
approaching their consideration, as
well as in weighing the facts and ar
guments bearing Upon them, he should
be unembarrassed by any possible
thought of the influence his decision
that may effect him personally. l