22 



there is one 'ism to which this middle chass of ours is indis 

 solubly joined, which they sturdily support, and on all oc- 

 casions advocate, and that is Americanism. They do not 

 consider it of much moment whether our domestic policy 

 meet with the approval or disapproval of other nations, 

 and they hold that our financial and economic interests 

 shall be governed by conditions which prevail in this coun- 

 try, and not l)y those which prevail in any otlier country 

 whatever, no matter how old, how rich or how powerful 

 such country may be. They look with some suspicion upori 

 the kindly interest that certain nations take in our affairs, 

 and the fear they manifest lest we make mistakes, and by 

 an independent American policy shut ourselves out of as- 

 sociation with the brotherhood of the strong foreign na- 

 tions. 



Through all this generous interest and anxious fear they 

 see the Lion of Old England, the Tri-Color of France and 

 the Double Eagles of Germany, and they know that, figu- 

 ratively speaking, these nations are abroad seeking whom 

 they may devour, and how best they may break down the 

 barriers that preserv^e to some more weak and foolish na 

 tion its own commercial and industrial independence. The 

 victories of the strong nations of the earth in acquiring 

 power and aggrandizement have been won quite as fre- 

 quently by protection and guardianship of the weaker as 

 on fields of battle, and tlie destruction thus A\rought is 

 more hopeless of repair than the devastation of years of 

 exhausting war. The destruction of the productive wealth 

 and energy of India is a sadder sight than pillaged field.s 

 and burnt cities. The former, humanly speaking, cat 

 never be restored. No brighter destiny for this country 

 could be hoped for, tlian that it should be wrought out un- 

 controlled by foreign influences, and carved in accord witli 

 no old models, but from such ideals of government and 

 law and society and business as have ever prevailed in 

 Essex County, and which have sprung naturall}' from the 

 character of its citizens and the pursuits and avocations of 



