Page 116 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future
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The Isthmus and Sea Power. 97
to act at an opportune moment is action as
real as, though less creditable than, the most
strenuous positive effort.
Action, however, to be consistent and well
proportioned, must depend upon well-settled
conviction ; and conviction, if it is to be
reasonable, and to find expression in a sound
and continuous national policy, must result
from a careful consideration of present con-
ditions in the light of past experiences. Here,
unquestionably, strong differences of opinion
will be manifested at first, both as to the
true significance of the lessons of the past,
and the manner of applying them to the
present. Such differences need not cause re-
gret. Their appearance is a sign of attention
aroused ; and when discussion has become
general and animated, we may hope to see
the gradual emergence of a sound and opera-
tive public sentiment. What is to be depre-
cated and feared is indolent drifting, in wilful
blindness to the approaching moment when
action must be taken; careless delay to re-
move fetters, if such there be in the Constitu-
tion or in traditional prejudice, which may
prevent our seizing opportunity when it oc-
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