The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-24

/
suppOsing that the safety OF his dynasty depends
| upon the present exercise of the vast military
power of his empire, in war OF nations that will
| give France an opportunity to forget all local
i causes of disturbance in the qualification of the
| national mbltion for military glory
II our republic were in its natural condition
| of repubicanism, we could be simply lockers
on upon this show OF crowned combatants; spec
| tators gazing from afar upon the arena where
| these foreign Rladiators tested their prowess
and wasted their vitality and strength. If we
| would but Re true to the principles that have
| been our safeguard in the midst OF conflicts upon
| international Issues, ii we would but obey the
| precepts OF Washington, and be guided by the
| teachings OF Jefferson and other true apostles
of Democracy, these dlssensions abroad would
| not occasion nipple upon the current of our
| domestic politics. They would, on the contrary,
| be of value to us by teaching us lessons OF pre-
cious significance; for It is better to profit BY
the sad experience of others than by our own.
But in the present unsettled and abnormal con-
dtion OF the republic, there is no telling how
lar we may be entangled in the complicated web
OF international questions with which Europe is
now perpleXed; and in view of the fact that our
country is governed by a ruthless, aspiring, un-
scrupulous, and fanatical faction that would not
hesitate to adopt any measures that promised
their partisan ACKNOWLEDGMENT there is room
Tor apprehension that we may yet be betrayed
into partnership in the evils OF their European
quarrels.
Ii is significant that Congress and the Admin
tstration preserve profound silence in regard
to all the issues that disturb the outside world.
But this reticence must not be accepted as a
sign that our Government intends to keep aloot
from all participation in the settlement of the
questions involved. When the radicals remain
silent 50 long upon any subject of Importance,
there is reason to fear that they are contemplate
ing some movement that they know is not in ac-
cOrdance with popular opinion. During the
war, and when it was impossible to act in the
premises, the Federal Congress was very ear
nestand unanimous in the expression of SYM
pathy with the cause of the Mexican republic.
ana very distinctly ''resolvedn that the United
States we're hostile to the empire of Maximlian.
But now that there is no barrier between the
promises and their fulflment, we have no Con-
gTessional action nor utterance upon the Mexi.
can question.
The subject has been quietly dropped, because
there is no advantage TO the radicals to be gained
by its present agitation. So with regard to the
conflict between Spain and the South American
Republics. Congress is most deCorously silent
Hpon that topic and yet it is one that is of vital
importance to the interests of repubicanism
upon this continent. The duty of the United
States, at this crisis is to protect republicansm
IN the Western hemisphere, and let the monarchs
of the OLD World tight it out there to their hearts
content. Our nationality is but little interested
in the decision Of questions relative to SchIes-
wig-HOlstein Venetia, and other European locali-
tes invested with attributes of chronic dsputa-
ton; but it is distinctly part of the Republics
mission to resist the encroachments OF European
powers against the republlcanism of America.
Chilli, Peru, and Mexico appeal 10 US legitlmately
tor protection against foreign aggression; and,
although 1t is safe and right for our Government
TO remain entirely neutral in regard to foreign
complications, yet the potentates of Europe can
not complain If We take advantage of their little
troubles to help the cause of selfgoyernment
upon the soil OF American Republics.