Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-24
UNITED, WE STAND.


TO the opening OF the Spanish Ameri-
can war, the United States presented.
| outwardly az least. condition of sec
tlonal division partisan prejudice, and
personal anmoslty which made most
! of the European powers believe that
this nation was weakened materially by
internal dissensions. and could not be
counted on seriously as world-power.
But events In the opening month OF
1898 brought the people Of the United
States 10 a realization that danger
threatened the nation--that In the i'm
mnenee OF war with Spain there was
menace To the prestige Of this Repup-
| lie, ana a blow aimed al that success
full career OF laudabe purpose and ae-
ton which never had known defeat.
In their realization Of the threatened
danger the people sprang together with
one accord; the voice Of sectional dlvls-
ion was hushed: the bitterness OF paru-
san prejudice was east aside; the pre-
ferences and animositles OF personal
aims were relegated 10 the rear, In COM
mon defense OF tho national welfare.
There was not a sectional line, no party
obligation, no personal hostility that
was allowed to stand in the way OF
unanlmty In meeting and coping with
ma tional peril From Maine to Cali
fornia, from Florida to the state OF
Washington. the nation was united.
The volunteers OF Massachusetts or
Visions n, OF Utah. OF oregon of Texas,
Of South Carolina. were all marching
under one Flag. The American people
stopped not 10 discuss the why and the
how Of getting together; they got to-
gether speedily and well. Patriotism
that higher sentiment OF citizenship,
swept aside all other differences.
It was a magnificent spectacle to
other governments and peoples. II was
grander and more effective still, as
lesson 10 Americans and TO other ma
tionalltles. The world learned that the
United States was not divided, tot
tering nation. Even with sectional dis
sension and party strife at home, this
nation was strong enough TO over
throw the Spanish power In Cuba. But
In the inseparnble union of all her sem
tlments and forces Mt home, not only
did she sweep from the Gem Of the An
titles the misrule OF Spain, but that
mlsrule went out of the Western Hem
isphere and Of the Far East
Every nation on earth recog-
nized that the stars and Stripes
waved over one OF the foremost world
powers. United the nation stood Tor
a grander and more glorious prestige
and development than had been
dreamed OF before except In prophetic
vision.
The lesson of this retrospect Is OF in
estImable value IN the condition Of to-
day Tho members OF q society or n
community may have differences which
In the ordinary peaceful conduct of
affairs seem insurmountable But when
a common danger threatens, these diff !
fereuces become insignificant IN the
presence Of the grander and more ex-
allied duty which calls people together,
and that higher sentiment OF pa
triotism which burns In every true
Americans heart springs to the CONF |
mon defense. When the rights and lib
critics OF people In this nation are me-
naccd. the spirit OF true Americanism
does not waste time In discussing the |
why and the how OF getting together
but, taking up the line OF It's national
leadership stands as solid phalanx
In defense OF the rights and liberties OF |
every citizen. however humble. The |
course followed In the Spanish Ameri- |
can war shows how well the American
people then realized the force of the Di-
vine Masters admonltion. "a house
divided against itself cannot stand" |
and by their unanlmity in laying aside
all minor differences, they stood for
firmer, grander iuvincible union.
The lesson thus taught should not be
wasted now or IN future. either in the /
nation, In a state. or In a community, !
when the menace OF a common danger
calls for prompt and vigorous action in !
the common defense. When the citizens 1
are united and determined. the on
slaught Of an INSCRIPTIONS and wicked /
foe Is easily repelled
al work and no grinding makes an