Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-02
VIEW oE RRorHER IoNArhAN.

VIEW OF BROTHER JONATHAN.
1t was the privilege Of those who
heard DR.. William Sturgeon in his ad-
dress on "An Englishman's View of
Brother Jonathan and His Country"
to be informed upon subject that al
most everyone has questioned himself
about at some time. What do the
English think of us?" is only a natural
query inasmuch as there is spirited
rivalry between the two great nations
and in consideration of the fact that
one and one-third centuries ago the
daughter cut the apron strings of her
mother not only without consent, but
meeting with great opposition, and set
up home of her own.
One hardly expects to hear that an
Englishman has the same opinion Of
an American that an American has of
himself, so is not disappointed if the
man from the British Isle says some
things with which he does not agree.
But there were perhaps less Of these
rcints of disagreement in DR.. Spur
Eeon's address than might have been
anticipated.
However, he advances theory in
connection with the national defense
that he can hardly prevail upon either
this or his native country to follow.
He takes up Lieutenant Hobson's adj
vocacy of more adequate navy, and
asks, What do you want of large
navy?" He says:
"In your war with Spain your navy
showed an ability to do things. The
nations Of the world are not going to
interfere with your commerce. You
do not need a larger navy for defen-
sive purposes. Let Uncle Sam and
John Bull stand together for offensive
and defensive, working as two broth
ers, with the stars and stripes and the
union jack side by side for the promo
ton of peace and for moral and religi-
GUS progress"
Speaking in figures with reference
to offense and defense the plea sounds
good, but If it is a question of fact,
that American phrase, "entangling al
liances with none," which has come to
be looked upon as good advice yet,
though given a hundred years ago,
! comes into a direct conflict with his
theory. AS to the navy the greater
number of Americans will believe that
Lieutenant Hobson is the more prac-
tical, though DR.. Sturgeon may have
beautiful theory Nations need ma
vies, and larger nations need larger
navies. 1t is easy to assume that we
are not to be interferred with, as long
as we have large fleet, but the as
sumption might not hold good if all
the world knew that we would be help
less in defense.
His American brothers of his own
calling may agree with him in his at
tacks upon Sabbath dissertation, in
which he includes Sunday newspapers
and Sunday pleasure seekers, and per-
haps will agree with his statement
that the church in this country has
not progressed proportionately with
the business and industries. But it is
likely that the question will first be
asked as to what he means by the pro-
gress of the church. If he means the
number Of persons belonging to the
church, perhaps he is right. If he
means the influence of the church he
will doubtless find many who will be
willing to take the other side of the
question. America calls herself a
Christian nation and is proud Of her
churches and church men. Born of
the republican form of government
was religious freedom. not passive but
pronounced. With the growth and
perpetuation of the form of govern
ment SO religious freedom grows and
has grown. But the influence of the
teachings of the church is none the
less.