The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-23

passed our ancestors,-and
perhaps, throughout our STIR
ring earlier history, we have
placed too much stress in the
soldier OF war, and Neglected
too freely the soldier of peace.
There is an instrument, in
the possession of the keenest
intellects of earth, whereby
men are enabled to peaceably
adjust their differences, and
fortunately, that instrument
has been welded with gratify-
ing success by our greatest
statesmen. l speak to you of
the art of diplomacy which
guards the door of national
passion. At four different
epochs in our history we have
been forced to throw wide the
door, and admit the scourge of
hostillties. But countless times
that barrier has held firm in
its place, and kept, unsullied,
the integrity of our country.
You wonder what power has
wrought these results. Look
over the pages of history!
Here and there, standing in
bold relief, are such names as
Monroe, Webster, Seward, and
Roosevelt. Behold above them
all the name of Franklin, the
sage of the Revolution, who
won as much by his diploma
tic skill in France as all the
other patriots combined. His
works is imperishable, and he
must ever wear an unfading
wreath of glory, in the opin-
ions of his countrymen,
throughout all time. For, if
Washington's fame is to be
measured by the victories he
won with the sword, surely
this man must be honored by
the results of his most re-
sourceful tact. Such men as
these have constituted that
power, and have made Ameri-
can diplomacy come to the
front. Recall, if you will, the
Long Embargo, the Monroe
Doctrine, the Trent Affair, of
our earlier history, and the
Venezuela Boundary Dispute,
the Chilean war-scare, and
the Portsmouth Treaty, between
Russia and Japan, of our more
recent history, and they will all
point, like magnets, to one
conclusion: Our diplomatic
corps is the first in the diplo-
matte army of the world"
They have won in that field of
honor, and have made their
pursuits an art, through whose
channels reason has displaced
the sword. They have won un-
til the sun never sets on our
diplomatic victories,-and as
they have won in the past, so
they will win in the future.
Assured by these successes,
we confidently await other
Cleveland messages to electrify
the worlds spirit of fairness,
in the coming ages, but wheth-
er they will be sent from
Washington, young America
must decide. We anticipate
other conditions, where we
may conscientiously defend the
weak against the vanities of
the conceited mighty. We are
bound, in honor, to protect our
sister republics of the
Southland, by doctrine, truly,
uprightly American. Such is
an example of our diplomacy
Of principle, a policy that might
inspire the deadest feelings,
enthuse the dullest virtues.
Our noblest thoughts are
for our country, our fondest
devotion is for the flag. We
follow that banner because it
signifies our past, present, and
future. The world is pro-
crossing, and America blazes
the way for it's advancement.
Leaving the customs of the
past buried forever, we address
ourselves to the house of His
tory: "Our we doing right?"
For an answer, the advice of
the martyred Mckinley greets
us: Our chief interest is in
concord-not conflict" Down
through the corridors of the
Hall of Fame, with a clarion
echo, sounds the voices of the
past-and the diplomat is
heard loudest. Hear him
America, as you must hear him,
for he speaks words of weight.
Hear him for the cries of con-
fiict are fast becoming food
for oblivion. Hear him for
peace hath her victories, no
less renowned than war;" and,
lastly, hear him for a nations
greatness is not measured by
the battles it has won, but by
what it has contributed to the
welfare of the world.