National Republican., 1877-09-01
OUR FOREIGN POLICY.


Although its territory was extensive, IL was
but sparscly inhabited, and its resources had
been exhausted by seven years contest
for. independence with one Of the most
powerful Kingdoms In the world. Agricul
ture, commerce and manufactures were dc
pressed, and mining was scarcely known.
The people were oppressed by large
amount Of public aud private Indebtedness,
while the defects of the Government estab.
lished by the Articles Of Confederation were
% serious rs TO materially interfere with
The development of the natural resources Of
tbc country.
Although tile Republic made no incou-
siderable progress after the present Consti-
tution was adopted during the Presidency
sf WASHINGTON, yet the close OF hts ad.
ministration found the country still weak
- compared with the great Powers of the
earth with which Its relations were most
Intimate. The form Of our Government
naturally excited the ill-will Of the mon
archs of the Old World, and that fact being
veil known to oui people they viewed those
6brcign Powers with great jealousy as our
aatural cnemies They had Just fears that
this Republic might I've attacked by those
1bes and its Government overthrown, in OF
DER that our dangerous example OF self-rulc
might not excite the discomfort of their
nbjccts.
While our Republic was in such feeble
condition, and liable 10 incur the hostility
Of 40 many dangerous enemies, II becann y
natter Of the utmost importance that ouI
relations with foreign countries should b,
conducted with the utmost prudence. Dur
Ing the Revolutionary War we had formed
treaty Of alliance with France ~ n condi
Hon Of pecuniary and military aid from
that county, which bound us to become
her ally ia case she became Involved in
foreign hostilities. When the, French rcvo-
luton broke out our relations with that
country became very delicate, especially ~
large party Of our citizens demanded
that our Government should participate
In the wars in which France becam-
Involved in consequence Of the revolutionary
proceedings Of hci people
1t WAS only the high character and srat
inhuence Of WASHINGTON which enabled
tkis country to steer clear of all European
eutanglements, whereby the commercial
prosperity OF our country was greatly pro.
moted, n large share of the carrying trade
Of the world being thrown into our hands
by the lict that we were the only impor-
tant neutral nation ihvombly situated for
thlt business. Although the tonnage OF
our shipping increased vastly, and the
profits Of our trade were very satisfactory,
yet ouI merchantmen were often seized and
subjected To other indienities by both the
English and the French, which they would
not have dared to offer to a powerful ma
zion. They both presumed upon our weak.
Ness and our inability TO wage war to
protect the rights Of oui seamen.
~Nder such circumstances, true wisdom
dictated that our foreign policy should be
~ framed as to preserve strict neutrality, SO
That we might not he made party to quar-
rels In which we had no real interest. At
no period in the history of our Republic was
greater wisdom demanded in the conduct OF
eur foreign affairs than was required during
wAsHISGToNs administration, and II must
Be said to his credit, and to that Of the
statesmen who composed his Cabinet, that il
n now universally conceded that the entire
history Of our diplomacy furnishes no period
more distinguished for wisdom and prudence
than that during which the first President
held the reins Of government.
So great has been the respect which the
people have always had for the character Of
WASHINGTON and for the wisdom Of his ad.
vice that his influence has shaped our for
sigp policy from the foundation of the Re-
public down to the present time. IN his
Farewell Address he embodied the maxims
by which his Administration had been
guided, and recommended the people to
adopt them as part Of the permanent policy
of the Government for all time to come.
The wisdom and sagacity of those maxims
b such US to well entitle them to the respect
and reverence with which our rulers have
always treated them.
The fundamental principle Of WASHING
roN's policy Is that we should observe good
fhith and justice toward all nations, and
cultivate peace and harmony with all and
that we should steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion OF the ioreigr
world. The caution which he gives in hi,
Farewell Address against the insidioul
wiles Of foreign influence shows how great,
our people in the infancy Of the Republi,
dreaded the influence of despotic rulers
Their fears were well founded, for, a
WASHINGTON well says, history and expe
ricnce prove that that has always been OH,
Of the most baneful foes of republican gov
ernment. There was very great wisdom II
warning young and weak Republic lik
ours then was against excessive partialit,
Sor any one foreign nation, and in urgini
that the great rule of our conduct in OK
tending our foreign relations should be b
have as little political connection with an!
~ possible. Now while these maxims ar
very sound, strict construction Of then
has unquestionably resulted in injury t
the political and commercial interests o
the country. Then this Republic was on
OF the weakest powers on the globe now |
Is one of the most powerful but, notwith
standing this fact, our diplomacy has beel
restrained by maxims that were not in
tended TO apply to ms as a leading nation.
Commercial prosperity has always becl
desired by the people of this country, AM
our natural situation is such that we nigh
lead all other nations in this respect. Ye
We are far behind England, simply becaus
that nation does not hesitate TO make tn
extension of her commerce the chief obiec
Of her diplomacy, and to make through /
acquisitions of territory in all regions O
the globe as outposts for her commerce. In
huenced by supposed necessity for adheI
ing to the policy of the founders of the Re
public, our Government has repeatedly dt
clined to acquire territory which has bee
offered to us, and which would have bee
OF immense value to us as a means of e,
tending our commerce.
A reference TO our treatment of the Re
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