Adlai Stevenson

It is well that to the people was entrusted the sovereign power of choosing their chief magistrate.

It is our glory, in the retrospect of more than a century, that none other than patriots --statesmen well equipped for the discharge of its timeless duties --have ever been chosen to the Presidency.

Had our ears remained deaf to the cry of the stricken and starving at our doors, we would not have been guiltless in the high court of conscience, and before the dread judgment seat of history.

The plea 'Am I my brother's keeper?'--whether interposed by individual or by nation--cannot be heard before the august tribunal of the Almighty.

Justified then, as we solemnly believe, in the sight of God for our interposition, we rejoice over the termination of a struggle in which our arms knew no defeat.

The dead hand of Spain has been removed forever from the throats of her helpless victims.

Emphasizing our solemn declaration as a nation, that this was a war for humanity, not for self-aggrandizement, we demand no money indemnity from the defeated and impoverished foe.

The sacrifice of treasure and of blood has not been in vain.

However it may have been in the past, the United States emerges from the conflict with Spain a united people.

No less important is the fact, that the United States of America to-day, as never before, commands the respect and admiration of the world.

For all this, all honor to our brave soldiers and sailors; all honor to the helpful hands and sympathetic hearts of America's patriotic women.

The spirit of the mob is in deadly antagonism to all constituted authority.