The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-04-14

Quar- Foreign Roktcys
The pending struggle between Spain and
ouba makes It q practical question what atti-
tude the United States shall assume respect
ing the belligerents. There are not wanting
those who advocate departure from our time
honored policy Of non-intervention in the in
terual affairs Of our neighbOrs This view lie
not confined to demagogues who are ready to
convert this as well as every other sensation
into political capital. All our traditions and
principles make US the natural allies of peo-
pies struggling for independence. The idea
that communities naturally distinct should be
politc ally independent, is an idea that is every
year not only commanding fuller recognition
from intelligent thinkers, but exercising
more potent influence iu shaping the policies
OF nations. II is therefore but natural tna'
we should sympathize with Cuba ana tnat the
more radical should desire to make our sym
patty produce something more than moral
support.
That the United States should become the
champion of oppressed nations generally is
not proposed. The general rule of interna-
tional law ID chat one nation shall not interfere
with the internal affairs of another. This rule
Is, however, subject to some exceptions. Con-
tingencies may arise in which interposition in
behalf Of the oppressed subjects Of foreign
nation in arms against their oppressors would
be justified by every dictate of reason and hui
manity. Such interference is to be deprecat-
ed, not because unauthorized by the law of
nations, but because it does not seem part OF
our peculiar mission in the economy of civil
iKation. 1t would impose upon us the necessi-
ty of being always ready for war, and involve
as in distant expeditions requiring immense
outlays with entirely disproportionate results.
Martial exploits on a large scale are, moreover,
antagonistic to the spirit of our institutions
They are calculated to develop national char
acter unfayorable to liberty Their tendency
Is to make the country camp, the population
an army, and the government government
of martial law. What extensive powers must
be exercised by a government that would be
successful in prosecuting war, our recent ex-
perence shows US. 1t is difficult to imagine
anything that could bring severer strain up
on our institutions than the perpetual neces-
sity for the exercise of such powers.
The mission of our great republic is not to
WELD the sword. The weapons of her warfare
are,the plowshare the loom, and the printing
press To the world at large the moral effect
of our successful development will be a richer
legacy than any warlike achievements of ours
could confer 1t is not our cannon that the
tyrants of the world fear. 1t is our example
showing the possibilities of free government
aud slowly but surely diffusing public opin
4hok axxan4,,o1lxy com tho
of usurped authority. To show to the world
the progressive application of the principles o
selfgovernment ON the grandest SCALE is the
peculiar work of this nation. 1t is the success
of our efforts thus far thai is whitening the ar
istocracies Of the old world. Our supposed
failure in 1851 gave them unfeigned delight
The revolutionists of Europe are not SO mucl
wanting in strength as in concert and organ
ization. When they secure this and can lif
the masses up from the mire OF ignorance an,
superstition, they will need 10 outside assist
ance. Meanwhile our example is worth MOI.
to them than our arms.
But while these are the principles tina
should determine our policy in res peet to ma
tions at distance, Lature indicates the pro
priety OF cultivating more intimate relation
with our immediate neighbors. If we let tn,
Eastern continent alone we have right to de
mand that other nations shall let this cont
nent alone. The Monroe Doctrine has new
er been extended to the case of a nation MOI
independent. But there is no reason why our
policy should not look to the diminution o
foreign influence ON this continent as well as
to the prevention of further encroachments
The end to be achieved is in both cases the
same. though we might not be justified ii
using means Of so radical nature in the ono
ease as in the other.
1t is not best for Cuba that we should at once
interpose. There is reason to fear that We
have not as a nation risen to such moral leve
as to enable us at this stage of the contest tc
interfere disnterestedly. The road to indie
pendence will be difficult if commenced by toe
complete dependence ON a foreign nation
If Cuba allows foreigners to fight her battles
she will fall an easy victim to foreign in
triguss, thus sacrificing the very object fol-
which the struggle was commenced. When
Cuba has maintained the struggle long enough
to develop her self-reliance, we may by recog-
milton admit her into the family of nations
and prepare theIway for lending her more eff
fectual assistance without compromising her
independence.