The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-12-20
THE GIANT OF
THE CENTURIES
Justice Braner's Idea Of the United
States.
MODERN HERCULES CLUB.
In Address to the reople's Forum on
the Larger and Higher Life of the
Nation, He Refers to the Tremendous
Growth of the Country in National
Wealth and to Some Of the Dangers.


New York Especial D-Justice David
J. Brewer, of the United States Su-
preme Court, spoke Sunday at the
session of the Peoples Forum, in
New Rochelle, upon The Larger and
Higher Life of the Nation The
Justice dwelt upon the general scope
Of national tendencies in the politi-
cal and moral life of the American
people. He found some things to
criticise and expressed an optimistic
view of the future.
Mr.. Edward NJ. Shepard presided
and introduced the Justice, who read
his speech from manuscript. He said
in part;
"The United States is the marvel
of the ages, it is the giant of the
centuries. Not merely in its popula-
ton, but by its wealth, culture and
achievements. This country has as
tonished the whole world. Three
centuries ago this republic was born
out of nothing. Since the time when,
Isolated from Europe and dependent
upon its own resources the nation
began to work its own destiny, the
progress of the American people has
been by geometrical rather than
arithmetical progression"
The Justice then dwelt at some
length upon the material welfare OF
the country. The Pennsylvania Rail-
road and Standard Oil Company he
referred to as the best examples of
the growth that has been attained by
corporations in America.
Think of the Standard Oil Com
pany," said he, that corporation
whose assets are so great thaC they
cannot be disclosed" Laughter
greeted this sally of the speaker.
Kansas as an Example.
81 know of no better illustration
of the phenomenal growth that
everywhere characterizes the history
of our national life" continued the
Justice, than that afforded by the
State of Kansas. When | studied
geography there was no such name
on the maps of our domain. When
l first went to the territory there was
not a line of railroad in it, and the
people used to gather to see the pony
express dash by with its packet oil
mail for the people farther West.
To-day there are 100000 people
in the borders of that state, and Its
grain crop last year was large enough
TO supply 20 bushels to every family
in the United States.
THAT is an example of our big
ness in this land of ours Do | erl
when / say that pride in the bignes
of things is one of the chief American
characteristics? Pride in the bignes
and fullness of plenty? Do We no
point out the longest ear of corn
the tallest building? DO We no
hail the mother of triplets?
I'VE stand out among the nation
like a Hercules. If We don't have I
Hercules club, we at least possess
a big stick in Washington" Laugh
teri
The speaker said that he though
that danger lay in national tendenc
to worship mere bigness and tn
glory of strength.
Those responsible for all tn
greatness of this country must an
swer further questions before ou
value to the world and before tn
world can be determined. The rea
question is: Which way is tn
country looking? What are tn
ideals and the inspirations of thi
nation? Is this republic seekin
only material development, ostents
ton and parade, OF is it striving fo
the higher life, which shall benef
both the nation and the people?'
I'VE are building up a big navy
we are now the fourth naval powe
In all our cities we vie In ostentatioI
We buy libraries by the cubic var
and galleries by the job lot. "
want to have the biggest and faste
yachts, the most gorgeous privat
castles. What does this all signify?
Getting EXtravagant.
Justice Brewer answered this que
fion by pointing out what he b
lieved to be the growth of extrag
gance, in the individual, the mum
eipality and the nation More tina
half of the states are in debt hea
fly, he said. New York City ow,
$421, 100000. The nation is runniI
deeper into debt each year.