ch a war are the country's heroes, to whom must be given
unstinted gratitude and unstinted praise. The sword in their hands is
the emblem of self-sacrifice and of valor; the flag which bears them
betokens their country and bids them pour out in oblation to purest
patriotism the life blood of their hearts; the shroud which spreads
over the dead of the battlefield is the mantle of fame and of glory.

"Happy the nation which has the courage of a just war, no less than
that of a just peace, whose sons are able and willing to serve her
with honor alike in war and in peace. Happy the nation whose jubilee
of peace, when war has ceased, is also a jubilee of victory.

"'We love peace, not war, but when we go to war we send it the best
and bravest of the country.' These words, spoken a few days ago by the
chief magistrate of America, embody a great principle of American life.

Six months ago the congress of the United States declared that in the
name of humanity war should be waged in order to give to the island
of Cuba a stable and independent government. Magnificent patriotism
of America. The people of the United States at once rose in their
might. They argued not, they hesitated not. America had spoken;
theirs was not to judge but to obey. In a moment the money of America,
the lives of America, were at the disposal of the chief magistrate of
the nation, whose embarrassment was the too generous response to his
appeal for means to bring victory to the nation's flag. America had
spoken. Partisan politics, sectional disputes instantly were stilled
beneath the majesty of her voice. Oft it had been whispered that we
had a North and a South. When America spoke we knew that we were but
one people; that all were Americans. It had been whispered that social
and economic lines were hopelessly dividing the American people, and
that patriotism was retreating before the growth of class interests
and class prejudices.

"But when America spoke there was no one in the land who was not an
American; the laborer dropped his hammer; the farmer turned from his
plow; the merchant forgot his counting-room; the millionaire closed the
door of his mansion; and side by side, equal in love of country; their
resolve to serve her, they marched to danger and to death. America
can never doubt the united loyalty of her whole population, nor the
power which such united loyalty puts into her hand.

"And what may I not say in eulogy of the sentiment of humani