Page:Bohemia's claim to independence.djvu/6

 ardent affection for its popular forms of political organization which have so rapidly advanced their own prosperity, their happiness, and enabled them in so short a period to bring their country, and the hemisphere to which it belongs, to the notice and respectful regard, not to say the admiration, of the civilized world.”

There is no question that in the Spanish American War one of the main motives, actuating the American people in their conduct, was the desire to see Cuba free and independent.

The right of any nation to self-government and independence is not and cannot be a debatable question. It would be idle, and a waste of time and words, to endeavor to prove that this or that nationality is entitled to freedom and independence. This is one of the self-evident truths from the force of which debate or discussion would merely detract. This is especially true of a nation concerning which President Woodrow Wilson says in one of his works: “No lapse of time, no defeat of hopes, seems sufficient to reconcile the Czechs of Bohemia to incorporation with Austria; pride of race and the memories of a notable and distinguished history keep them always at odds with the Germans within their gates and with the government set over their heads. They desire at least the same