New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-16
OER ETTTHE EORTIGN POLICY

OtN L 4 CHE fOHLiGN POLICI.
1t may be truly said that for the past twenty
years we have had no foreign policy, unless the
practice OF non-ntcrfcrcDce with matters lying
outside of orr own boundary lines can be called
policy. We have been too much absorbed in
the great problems arising at home and imme-
diatey affecting our National life to take much
notice of what has been going on in the rest of
the world. Before the rebellion we had IL for
cign policy, and one which,, though at times
twisted out of the straight path of justice to-
ward other nations to serve the interests Of the
abominahlc Institution OF slavery, was in the
main directed toward enhancing the power and
dignity of the United States in tho family of
nations and defending our interests upon Che
American continent. 1t was based on the fact
thai, rs the chief Republic in the world, we have
duties toward weaker Republics which are
seeking to follow our example and establish
self governing institutions for their people and
upon the further fact that, as the only great
Power III America, we have an interest in the
affairs of the continent which is paramount to
that of any European Power. This policy
consistently and vigorously pursued by the long
line OF statesmen who controlled our foreign
relations, bore splendid fruits.
First, it secured for us by means of the
Louisiana purchase a vast empire west of the
Mississippi. Then it saved for us Il portion Of
Maine and all our Pacific coast north of the
Columbia River 1t gave Us Florida and later
the great State of Texas, which has an area
larger than that of France. 1t added to our
National domain the magnificent State of Cali
fOrnla and the immense territory comprised in
Nevada, Utah, New-Mexco and Arizono. If
pushed our frontier further southwark by the
Gadsdcn purchase 1t disputed tho right of
England to acquire more territory on this side
of the Atlantic. 1t encouraged tho Spanish
American countries in their successful STRUGGLE
for liberty 1t foreSaw the construction of a
canal across the Isthmus of Panama ard took
measures To prevent European Powers from
controlling it. 1t sought to draw Canada TO us
by reciprocity treaty. II maintained what for
that day was an efficient navy to protect our
interests upon the high seas.
The war concentrated all thought and effort
on the one duty of preserving the integrity of
the Union, and our diplomacy became purely
defensive. We sought only to keep foreign
Governments from giving aid and countcnanco
to the rebellion. AT the close OF hostltics Mr..
Seward revived the traditional policy of b,s
predecessors in the State department for il
brief period. He warnci the French ont Of
Mexico and purchased Alaska FROM Hussio.
Danish West Indies, which, however, was NOT
ratified by the Senate. But the questions oc
the were not al! settled by the sword
Soon the attention OF tie country was concor-
tratcd upon the struggles That arose over thc
relations Oi tlc defeated rebels to the State and
General G0ycrnn cnts and the condition of the
emGncpatcd blacks. Then came financial rou
troVcrscs involving the good faith of IT,. Nation
toward its creditors and the clarartcr and
honesty OF the currency, which were rightfuIly
paramount until thcy were rightly settled
When all these questions were disposed Of orr
politics turned for a few years on maintaining
what we had gained, and anchoring if so firmly
that ii could not be swept away by reactionary
tides.
The signs of the times now Indicate chat we
have entered upon an epoch of assured National
strength and CT minor agitations in oar domcs-
nc politics which will enable us TO look beyond
our own borders, and to WELD a ..,rpcr and
more wholesome influence upon the affairs Of
the world. We shall have time to e,.dy fine
course OF our National development in In. ru-
turc and the interesting problems of the pro
grcss Of Republican civilization upon This cntiro
continent ana upon the ncIghbOring groups of
islands. 1t need NOT be feared that in the nrilc
Of our riches aud strength we shall enter unon
Il career of aggression and conquest Now ,hot
we are nd Of the virus Of slavery orr Dubl;c
sentiment is healthful and Just in it's WORKINGS
lt would not tolerate any oppressive inter
ference with the ri ghts of weaker communities
1t Will, however, create and amply sustain q
broad, liberal, intelligent and thoroughly
American policy in our dealings with foreign
Powers, which shall forward our National in
tcrcsts and assert our just influence in mnttrrs
IN which we have II greater conco!n than onv
other country. Such policy would not he
without carly practical operation. II would
lead our Government to have something TO saw
about King kalakauas scheme TO sell the Sand
wch Islands to England or France il would
keep the Danish West 'Indies cut OF lhc hands
OF any great maritime Power; it would check
mate any project for French protcctorate OYER
the lsthmus of Panama it would foster and
extend our foreign commerce, and it would
place the United States IN the front rank of IA.
great directing forces of human freedom and
progress.
In the development of snch IL policy ~ we
DaNe outlined, the present Administration will
not have to contend with the obstacle of q
Democratic Congress- which seriously embar
raSscd Its predecessor Many OF the important
problems concerning our fore IN relations
winch now loom up on the horizon OF pu|,lic
anaiIs were clearly torcseen and understood by
hlr Hayes and Mr. Eyarts, but they could form
no effective plans for meeting them with a
party III power in Congress which had but one