Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-06
MAJOR LACEY'S JULY FOURTH
ADDRESS AT MITCHELLVILLE

: MITCHELLVILLE
different cities Of Europe. Thirty nine
years later Columbus opened up new
world. and set in motion the movement
which distinguishes modern times from
all that had preceded.
The United States has not had many
yesterdaya but she looks forward with
CONFIDENCE to many bright tomorrows.
IN other countries the question Of
ancestry Is, Of the greatest Importance.
After the French revolution, new
race OF leaders came to the front. Ma
poieon taught the maxim that every
private soldier carried rparsl1al's
baton In his knapsack, and only await
e. the opportunity to take it out
When Marshal Lannes was twitted
with his plebelan birth. he answered,
y am an ancestor In this country,
the great question Is, What has he
done and what does he dor"
In war we are constantly assured
that only the hits count. When Lord
Dutrerin Went hunting In India, his at
tsndant said that the young Sahib
shot divinely, but that Allah was naer-
ciful to the birds"
But. in times Of peace, and in the
common affairs OF life, the effort OF at
tempting somethins may In Itself be
an ADEQUATE reward. even though the
effort fall. Think how few Of the rays
q sunshine that start from the sun hit
the earth. Think how few of the Aow-
ers tnat gladden. our sight actually
produce fruit
The tirse words Hollander learns
% speak, when he arrives at Pella, are
plenty atia "flrst rate"
r. - rs
les Of circumstances, watch led to the
settlement Of the country in separate
colonies which became giants OF sep
arate states. Separate free state. or
provincial self government, with feder-
atlon, seems now go natural and req
sonable that 1t is hard to realize that
this system is OF recent origin
me dominion OF Canada, the Aus
tralian colonies and the federation now
growing up IN South Africa, are mere
~ notifications OF the system Of
which the United States Of America is
conspicuous as beginning and an ex-
ample.
We have suffered In the past for ma
uonaa Sins, and no doubt will pay pen
alties for rnisdeeds in the future.
individuals may escape punishment
IN this world, but nations never ma
TONS" said Napoleon, will fight quick
rights
We are so fortunately situated that
those with whom we are Xix ely to be
at war are too far away to become in
volved In war with us except upon the
sea.
Recent events have made us vulner-
able in the far east.
Fourteen hundred islands have come
under our rule and control, and the
Phi!ipplnes are SO far away that they
can be readily assailed by any nation
with great navy. These islands are
the fruits Of the Spanish war, and In
yolve us in burdens that we mover
sought and which we are unwilling to
run away with.
Our islands and our shores can only
be defended by a strong and up to- date
navy The American people unoom-
plaininsly bear the burden Of this in
creased macy.
Our people do not take readily to life
upon the water. Our land is so attrac-
tive az to lead Americans to prefer en-
ployment there. But americans VIII
| make sailors when the time of need ar
rves N'
The educational and moral training
OF the young people Of America lie the
most important problem with which
this generation IL confronted.
/. Ahe PUBIC AoHool, the college and the
church are the best s1rety that we
have to give = tho future.
In these latter days we are inclined
to minimfze the powers Of the states,
put our system OF one Of many In one
Is the sure Foundation Of our liberty.
United States senators used to resign
their seats In order to become govern
ors of their states; and Silas Wright
transfer in the light OF a promotion.
w. L. Marcy Of New York, and II Y,
Hayne, Of South CayoIina, resigned
seats IN the senate to become govern
oss ftheir states; and silas Wright
OF whom Thomas H. Benton said. .'He
descended into the office from private
life" in 1874 refused an appointment
to the supreme court Of the United
States, declined the norpination az vic,
president on the ticket with James K.
Polk, and resigned his seat In the
United States Eenate and went home TO
New York to run for governor Of hts
state, and was elected.
There has been tendency of late
years to minimize the Importance Of
this great Office and to transfer It's
most important duties and Responsible
tiles to appointed boards, But there Is
no surer foundation for the security OF
our institutions than vigilance In the
administration Of local affairs in city.
county and state.