y element of greatness--reason,
humor, wit, pathos, imagination, and perfect naturalness. That
was in the grand years, long ago. Lincoln had reason, wonderful
humor, and wit, but his presence was not good. His voice was poor,
his gestures awkward--but his thoughts were profound. His speech
at Gettysburg is one of the masterpieces of the world. The word
"here" is used four or five times too often. Leave the "heres"
out, and the speech is perfect.

Of course, I have heard a great many talkers, but orators are few
and far between. They are produced by victorious nations--born in
the midst of great events, of marvelous achievements. They utter
the thoughts, the aspirations of their age. They clothe the children
of the people in the gorgeous robes of giants. The interpret the
dreams. With the poets, they prophesy. They fill the future with
heroic forms, with lofty deeds. They keep their faces toward the
dawn--toward the ever-coming day.

--_New York Sun_, April, 1898.

JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND EXPANSION.

_Question_. You knew John Russell Young, Colonel?

_Answer_. Yes, I knew him well and we were friends for many years.
He was a wonderfully intelligent man--knew something about everything,
had read most books worth reading. He was one of the truest friends.
He had a genius for friendship. He never failed to do a favor when
he could, and he never forgot a favor. He had the genius of
gratitude. His mind was keen, smooth, clear, and he really loved
to think. I had the greatest admiration for his character and I
was shocked when I read of his death. I did not know that he had
been ill. All my heart goes out to his wife--a lovely woman, now
left alone with her boy. After all, life is a fearful thing at
best. The brighter the sunshine the deeper the shadow.

_Question_. Are you in favor of expansion?

_Answer_. Yes, I have always wanted more--I love to see the Republic
grow. I wanted the Sandwich Islands, wanted Porto Rico, and I want
Cuba if the Cubans want us. I want the Philippines if the Filipinos
want us--I do not want to conquer and enslave those people. The
war on the Filipinos is a great mistake--a blunder--almost a crime.

If the President had declared his policy, then, if his policy was
right, there was no need of war. The President should have told
the Filipinos just exactly what he wanted. It is a small business,
after Dewey covered Manila Bay with glory, to murder a lot of hal