They have covered many phases of the subject, but have preserved a singular uniformity of purpose and consistency of ideas throughout.
Whitelaw Reid
The Public Record
Whitelaw Reid was an American politician, diplomat and newspaper editor, as well as the author of Ohio in the War, a popular work of history.
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They appeared at times when public men often seemed to be groping in the dark on an unknown road, but it is now evident that the road which has been taken is substantially the road they marked out.
As a foreign critic said in comment on one of the addresses: "The author is one man who knows what he thinks about the new policy required by the new situation in which his country is placed, and has the courage and candor to say it.
Some inquire merely if it is good policy for the United States to abandon its continental limitations, and extend its rule over semi-tropical countries with mixed populations.
Others ask if it would not be the wisest policy to give them away after conquering them, or abandon them.
They say it would be ruinous to admit them as States to equal rights with ourselves, and contrary to the Constitution to hold them permanently as Territories.
Their doubts and difficulties deserve the fairest consideration, and are of pressing importance.
Have we the right to decide whether we shall hold or abandon the conquered territory, solely, or even mainly as a matter of national policy?
Are we not bound by our own acts, and by the responsibility we have voluntarily assumed before Spain, before Europe, and before the civilized world, to consider it first in the light of national duty?
However men's opinions on that point may differ, the Nation is now at war for a good cause, and has in a vigorous prosecution of it the loyal and zealous support of all good citizens.
Are we not, then, bound in honor and morals to see to it that the government which replaces Spanish rule is better?
It will make an end forever of Spain in this hemisphere.