New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-06
WESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN POLICY

| WESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN IVAOA'
We do not place implicit faith in the ru-
mors that Secretary Fish has invoked the
intervention of European powers in the
adoption Of policy with respect to Cuba.
The celebrated letter of Mr.. Webster
when he declined to enter into any tri-
partite treaty in regard to the same object,
has always appeared to us proper stand
ard for American diplomacy. We are
compelled to say that we should differ
with regret from the administration
should it decide to invoke the co-opera-
ton of European powers to dispose OF a
question purely American. The princi-
pies laid down by Washington and Mon
roe separate American affairs from
the dictations or consultations Of Europe.
We have kept ourselves clear Of all COM
plications until the present, and we can
not believe that republican administra-
ton will set the example of departing
from such republican principles.
Should our government have need OF
councillors or allies in establishing the
autonomy of any American State, we
should much prefer to see the republic OF
Mexico and Of Central America, Of Peru
and Chill assembled in council. We
have looked with dread upon the attempt
to make the ecclesiasti cal and ultramon-
tame doctrines of Southern Europe a
question of domestic politics. We
have seen with alarm the invidious
spread of those ideas which have drenched
Southern Europe in blood, and torn it
with disorder, advocated in this republic,
and threatened as political issues in the
very consummation Of our centennial
freedom.
Sometimes the influence Of Europe is
manifest in much of our modern diplo-
macy, and sometimes we fear that Eu'
ropean influence is more obvious in the
large Eastern cities than elsewhere. The
exclusive control Of American diplomacy
has long been in the hands Of Boston and
New York. Our shipping and capital
interests have been properly represented
in the Alabama claims convention, but
there are other interests of equal i'm
portance to other sections. The
West has had no Secretary OF
State for nearly quarter of century.
The Southern and Gulf States have been
still less favored. Both these sections re-
| quire a system of commercial treaties
which will open other markets to their
surplus productions. Both these sections
are burdened with excessive cost OF trans
portation, which must be added to the
cost of production and deducted from
market prices.
We pay no regard to the opposition ru-
mors about the difference in diplomatic
opinion between the President and Secre-
tary of State, but should it be the pleas
ure of Secretary Fish to retire from his
present position, we may be allowed
to hope that some representative
of Southern and Western commercial and
manufacturing productions, as also Of the
general interests of the whole nation will
be appointed. We may thus expect the
Cuban question to be settled on the basis
of American interests, and whatever the
government may decide in the interests Of
the West and South we are satisfied the
people will sustain.
Millions of pounds and bushels of
Western provisions are Wondering in the
barns: an immense value Of manufactured
product is unstable in the workshops of
the Union, more than one hundred and
seyenty-fve millions Of specie is re-
mitted annually to pay for the
tropical products of countries which
impose heavy tariff of duties upon the
products of the United States. There is
pressing necessity for this tropical mar
ket 1t will alone relieve the stagnation
Of American commerce. Europe has an
interest different from our own. Shall We
invite Europe to determine whether the
United States shall have an enlarged mar
ket This involves the further growth
and expansion of the Union. It is sub
iect Of exclusive interest to the Union.
If we invite European powers into coun-
Gil who shall determine which OF the
powers shall be chosen, or what shall be
their respective voices in the questions to
be determined?
We shall say no more on this moment
Gus question until the facts shall come
from some source more reliable than from
partisan enemies. We hope President
Grant will consult his own native good
sense and patriotism. None Of these
European powers extended their aid to
him in any event in which he may have
required counsel or assistance. An alliance
of American republics can dictate and
execute the policy of this continent, and
it would, in our opinion, be centennial
folly to appeal to the despotisms OF the
world TO regulate the republican policy Of
the world.
We trust the rumored Intervention Of
European powers in American affairs may
be unfounded, and we have no hesitation
| in expressing the hope that il, from any
difference of policy or other cause,
change in the able and efficient Ministry
of Foreign Affairs shall become necessary
some such Western or Southwestern states
man as Morton or Logan may be called t.