New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-26
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

WHAT BECOMES A GREAT NATloN-A CUBAN
To the Edifor Of me Tribune.
SIR: Whatever may be the Strength, enllght-
enment and wealth Of self governing people they haVe
no claim TO Uatlonal greatness. their foreign policy
weak wavering, or trucking 20 other powers. An un'
uching determination assert her rights and maintain
her ayowed principles together with faithful perform
ance OF her international obligations must be the basis
Of the foreign policy of strong nation claiming great
ness before the world.
Among the powers OF the earth England, France, and
the United states stand foremost Either OF them
successfully carry out vigorous foreign policy unless IL
clashes with the cherished principles the other in
the case OF France, whose Intervention in Mexico
checked by the United States, contrary to the time
honored Monroe Doctrine which the latter power has 80
much at heart But of the three nations referred TO- En-
gland and the United States are the most liable to be ex'
erced and tried their respective foreign policy from
the nature Of their institutions and maritime enterprise
throughout the world. Let MS glance over both OF them
and sec how they stand on the subject pointed out
The dominons of Great Britain vast and so scat
tered over the world that the never sets on British
soil Her trade is quite as vast ana her carriers haFs
undsputed supremacy Of the sea since our late cvl war
Hence her being constrained not only TO pursue foreign
policy strictly peaceful but also to develop the formda-
BILE naval power which she possesses Yet whenever heI
national dignity or the interests Of her subjects are at
stake she sterny comes forward and demands mmedl-
ate reparation at all hazards OF this she has given
strong proofs in numerous instances, but particularly
when she felt outraged by the seizure Of Mason and Sill
dell on board her mailsteamer Trent" upon the high
seas few years ago. and when shortly afterward she
carried an expensive the very heart OF Africa to
rescue several OF her subjects who were captves there
under the Emperor Of Abyssnia. So that England 10
highly respected by other nations and her subjects travel
or settle abroad with the encouraging conviction thas
their Government is always ready 10 protect them ON
the other hand though wary Of international comphca-
lions lest their large commercial and manufacturing IN
terests should be affected thereby she does not hesitate
TO extend her aid influence TO oppressed natonaes
as appears from her action in the which spain sus'
tanned for independence against the first Napoleon hs
struggle in South America for national existence ana s
efforts OF Greece to shake of the Turkish YOKE. sue"
are the leading features Of the foreign policy when h
gland pursues, and which, coupled with her tormoap''
power entities her to unsurpassed national greatness Oe
fore the world -
The United States stretch from the Atlantic 10 u'
Pacific covering an area about 100000 square m0s'
wheye almost every climate and product are to be iounF
together with q great variety Of valuable minerals
These natural gifts In so vast couptcy, coupled WIN
tho unrvaled enterprise OF the American people renue'
this republic not only mary. lousy wealthy pu' "'sa
moro independent than an other civilized naUon'
the fact that she couS feel no want WITHIN n.l
borders shut out from the rest Of the Norlu W