The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-07-05
Mission of Superior Nations.

MISSION. OF superior NdtionS.
IF it is legitimate to seek another's
profit and to work another's gain, how
can this service best be rendered? This
has been the disputed point. individuals
and nations have differed less about the
purpose to be accomplished than about
the methods to be employed Prosecutions
have been carried on avowedy for the
benefit of the prosecuted. wars have been
Waged for the alleged Improvement OF
those attacked and still more frequently
philanthropy has been adulterated with
selfish interest. If the superior nations
have a mission it is not to wound but to
heai-nOt to cast down but TO lift up.
and the means must be examples-a far
more powerful and enduring means than
violence. Example may be likened to the
sun whose genial rays constantly coax the
buried seed into life and cothe the earth
first with verdure and afterward with
ripened grain, while violence is the oc-
casional tempest which can ruin but can
not give life.
Can we doubt the efficacy of example
in the light of history? There has been
great increase in education during the
last century and the school houses have
not been opened by the bayonet, they owe
their existence largely to the moral in
fuence which neighboring nations exert
upon each other. And the spread of pop
ular government during the same period,
how rapid. Constitution after consti-
tuition has been adopted and limitation
after limitation has been placed upon ar
bitrary power until Russia, yielding TO
public opinion, establishes a legislative
body and China sends commissions abroad
with a view to inviting the people to
share the responsibilities OF government.
Pride in His Country.
while in America and In Europe there
is much to be corrected and abundant
room for Improvement there has never
been so much altruism in the world as
there is today-never so many who ac-
knowledge the indissoluble tie that binds
each to every other member of the race.
l have felt more pride in my own coun-
trymen than ever before, as have Wis
tied the circuit of schools, hospitals and
churches which American money has
built around the world. The example of
the Christian nations, though but feebly
reflecting the light of the master, is grad
ually reforming society.
Dawning of New Era.
Society has passed through a period of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, the nations taking what
they had the strength to take and holding
what they had the power to hold But we
are already entering a second era-an era
IN which the nations do not merely what
they can do, but what they should do, con-
Slderlng justice to be more important than
physical prowess. In tribunals like that
of The Hague, the chosen representatives
of the nations weigh questions of right
and wrong and give a small nation an
equal hearing with a great, decree ac-
cOrding to conscience. This marks an inn
measurable advance. But is another step
yet 10 be taken? Justice. after all, is cold
and pulSeleSS, a negative virtue. The
world needs something warmer, more gen.
erous. HarmlessnesS is better than harm
fulness, but positive helpfulness is vastly
superior to harmlessness, and We still have
before us large, higher destiny of serv-
ice. Even now there are signs of the ap-
proach of this third era. not so much in
the actions of governments, as in the
growing tendency of men and women in
many lands TO contribute their means, in
some cases their lives. for the intellectual,
moral awakening of those who sit in dark
ness. Nowhere are these signs more album
dant than in our beloved land. Before the
sun sets on one of these centerS of civil
liZatiOn IL arises upon another.
''On the walls of the temple of Karnak
an ancient artist carved the likeness of
an Egyptian king, represented, as holding
a group of captives by the kair and in
the other hand is raised club with which
to strike the captives. What king would
be willing to confess himself SO cruel to-
day? In some of the capitals of Europe
are monuments built and ornamented with
cannon taken in war. This form of boast
ing, once popular. is still tolerated, though
in time must give way to some emblem OF
victory less suggestive of slaughter
Concluding Sentiment.
las we are gathered tonight in Eng
lands capital, permit me to conclude with
sentiment suggested by piece of stat
uary at Windsor castle. 1t represents
Queen Victoria beside her consort. One of
his arms is about her and the other points
upward. The sculptor told in marble an
eloquent story of strength coupled with
tenderness, love rewarded by trust, sorrow
frightened by hope. He told the story so
l.ainly that it was hardly necessary to
chisel the words 'allured to brighter
worlds and led the way
1T was a beautiful conception, more
beautiful than that which gave the world
the Greek slave, the dying gladiator or
the goddess Athene. 1t embodied the idea
which, with the expanding feeling of COM
radeship, makes applicable the association
OF nations as well as the relations of hus
band and wife. Let us indulge in the
rope that our nation may so measure UP
to its great opportunities and so bear it's
share in the white mans burden as to
earn the right to .symbOliZe its progress by
a similar figure. If it has been allured by
providence to a higher ground, may it
lead the way in winning the confidence of
those who follow it. and in exhibiting the
spirit of him who said: If | am lifted up, |
will draw all men with me- -
The reading of the speech proved dis
appointment to the crowd which wanted
oratory unhampered by manuscript.
Consul Generals Speech.
iona l.. Griffiths, the American consul
| of Tiyarnool ar for bo