The Glory of the Republic

BY CHARLES EMORY SMITH.

[Delivered at Chicago, 1899, at the laying of the corner-stone of the new Federal Building.]

HE flag floats to-day over a domain ten times as great as that upon which its shining stars first shed their joyous beams. Its beneficial rule has been extended from time to time over vast new acquisitions, but it has never broadened its sway without carrying freedom, progress, and enlightenment to the fortunate peoples who were brought under its protecting folds. It is the same flag to-day that it has always been, but with added lustre and higher renown and a far deeper respect throughout the world. It has the same import and the same virture. It signifies everywhere right, law, justice, and self-government within the limits of national sovereignity.

What citizen of the Republic shall so impugn the honor of his country and the integrity of her institutions as to proclaim before the world that her sceptre extended over rude and remote peoples means wrong and oppression and spoilation? What American shall discredit his own blood as to declare that the American people will either falter in the duty of their trust or fail in the capacity of their task?

Our inspiring past is the prophecy of our glorious future. The architect who plans a great capitol or cathedral sees with the eye of imagination the majestic structure in the full grandeur of its imposing proportions, and unless he could thus prefigure its finished beauty he would be unfit to lay its foundations. The builders and promoters of states also see with the eye of imagination. It is the function of creative statesmanship to penetrate the future and discern its course and its needs. The Republic has a mission among the

nations of the earth. It should be the highest exemplar of peace, liberty, humanity, and civilization. As the noble statue of Liberty Enlightening the World rises from its great harbor and first greets the visitor as he comes from foreign lands, it is a symbol that our country carries a torch of liberty to mankind, and its light must not be hid.

"Heaven doth with us as we with torches do;

Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not."

The American Navy

BY JOHN D. LONG.

[Extract from a speech delivered in Chicago, 1899.]

SOMETIMES think that the great republic applauding the salient merits overlooks others which are quite as deserving. You

cheer for the men behind the guns; you

give swords and banquets here and there to an admiral-and both are richly deserving of the tribute-but remember that all up and down the line there are individuals whose names never get to your ears, or, if so, are already half-forgotten, who have earned unfading laurels. No man in the navy has rendered such service, however great, that others were not ready to fill the place and do as well. The navy is full of heroes unknown to fame. Its great merit is the professional spirit which through it; the high sense of duty; the lofty standards of service to which its hearts are loyal and which make them all equal to any duty. Who sings the praises of the chiefs of the naval stations and bureaus of the Navy Department, who wept that there were no battles and glory for them, and who, remaining at their de

partmental posts, made such provision for the fitting out, the arming, the supplying, the feeding, the coaling, the equipping of your fleets, that the commanding officer on the deck had only to direct and use the forces which these, his brothers, had put in his hands? Who repeats the names of the young officers who pleaded for Hobson's chance to risk his life in the hull and hell of the Merrimac? Who mentions the scores of seamen who begged to be of the immortal seven who were his companions in that forlorn hope? In the long watch of Santiago the terror of our great battleships was the two Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers, those swift, fiendish sharks of the sea, very engines of death and destruction, and yet, when the great battle came, it was the unprotected Gloucester, a converted yacht, the former plaything and pleasure boat of a summer vacation, which, without hesitation or turning attacked these demons of the sea and sunk them both. I have always thought it the most heroic and gallant individual instance of fighting in the war. It was as if some light-clad youth, with no defence but his sword, threw himself into the arena with armored gladiators and by his very dash and spirit laid them low. And yet who has given a sword or spread a feast to that purest flame of chivalrous heroism, Richard Wainwright?

Yes, my friends, the navy is, as the army is, as the school is, as the workshop is, as the counting-room is, as the college is the navy is the State. You are the navy, you are the army, you are the State, for you are the citizen. On each are the responsibilities of your country, on you are its greatest duties. Awake to your high call! Do not fret, do not whine, do not fear to take up the responsibilities and discharge the duties. Put your shoulder to the wheel, put your cheer into the heart of the man who is at your front. Be a part of the great progress and beneficence of the United States.

Tubal Cain

BY CHARLES MACKAY.

OLD Tubal Cain was a man of might,
In the days when earth was young;
By the fierce red light of his furnace bright,
The strokes of his hammer rung;

And he lifted high his brawny hand

On the iron glowing clear,

Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers, As he fashioned the sword and spear.

And he sang, "Hurrah for my handiwork! Hurrah for the spear and the sword! Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well, For he shall be king and lord!"

To Tubal Cain came many a one,

As he wrought by his roaring fire,

And each one prayed for a strong steel blade As the crown of his desire;

And he made them weapons sharp and strong,
Till they shouted loud for glee,

And gave him gifts of pearl and gold,
And spoils of the forest free.

And they said, "Hurrah for Tubal Cain,
Who hath given us strength anew!
Hurrah for the smith, hurrah for the fire,
And hurrah for the metal true!"

But a sudden change came o'er his heart
Ere the setting of the sun,

And Tubal Cain was filled with pain
For the evil he had done:

He saw that men with rage and hate

Made war upon their kind,

That the land was red with blood they shed

In their lust for carnage blind.

And he said, "Alas that ever I made,

Or that skill of mine should plan,

The spear and the sword for men whose joy
Is to slay their fellow man!"

And for many a day old Tubal Cain
Sat brooding o'er his woe;

And his hand forbore to smite the ore,
And his furnace smoldered low.

But he rose at last with a cheerful face,
And a bright courageous eye,

And bared his strong right arm for work,
While the quick flames mounted high;
And he sang, "Hurrah for my handiwork!"
And the red sparks lit the air:

"Not alone for the blade was the bright steel

made,'

And he fashioned the first plowshare.

And men, taught wisdom from the past,
In friendship joined their hands,

Hung the sword in the hall, the spear on the wall,
And plowed the willing lands;

And sung, "Hurrah for Tubal Cain!

Our staunch good friend is he;

And for the plowshare and the plow
To him our praise shall be.

But while oppression lifts its head,
Or a tyrant would be lord,
Though we may thank him for the plow,
We'll not forget the sword!"

Cheer Up, Honey!"

BY EMMA C. DOWD.

I WAS but a little child,

Overwhelmed with sudden sorrow,
Torn by grief and anger wild,

Blind to any gladsome morrow.
Dear old Mammy, soul of grace,
Laid her hand upon my head,
And, with heaven in her face,
Softly, musically, said,

"Cheer up, Honey! Doan yo' fret!

Pow'rful good times comin' yet!"