National Republican., 1881-10-27
American Control Of American Inter-
pgfS.

The London Times is, of course, unable
70 see why our Government should pre-
sumo to claim any individual interest in
protecting the neutrality of the govern
ment through the domain of which an
interoceanic canal may he cut. Our Gov
ernment will be equally unable TO see
why anybody in the Times or behind il
should expect TO be consulted with refer
encc to the interests ofthe United States.
We are very willing to exchange kind
words with the English government on all
suitable occasions We believe in the sin
cerity Of her friendship when it is for her
interest to be friendly, and We believe in
the impacability of her hostility when
ever she can successfully direct it against
the Great Republic. We recognize the
deep and natural sympathy manifested
by the entire English nation in our late
national bereavement. Were England's
good and noble Queen TO be stricken
down our hearts would 90 out toward her
people as toward kinsmen. We have
just celebrated the centennial an
niyersary of the surrender of Eng
lands sword in 1871, and with
the general rejoicing that our revolt
against English tyranny was then sue
cessful were mingled the gentle and
courtly words of our President, to which
all the people said amen, disclaiming any
feeling of present unfriendiness toward
our ancient enemy. We glory in the
sturdy virtues, the aggressive enterprise,
the pride of race, and the love of country
of our English cousins. We have the
same feeling toward them that they have
toward the SaXons and the Danes, whose
blood forms part of theirs us the mixed
English blood forms part of ours. On
the plane of sentiment we meet them and
claim to be joint heirs with them in all
they have inherited from the rast in let
ters, science, and the arts. We rejoice at
their prosperity and greatness as English
speaking people. We admire so much
Of liberty as they have attained, and
venerate SO much of their law as has been
necessary to restrain that liberty within
proper bounds.
The Isthmus of Darien is the gateway
between our Atlantic and our Pacific
States. Our coast from near the Gulf OF
California to the Aleutian Islands is eX-
posed to the hostile fleets of whatever
European nations may combine against us
1t will not be for foreign powers tc
measure the security we shall take and
keepfor equality on the Isthmus of Darier
in time Of peace and precedence in time
of foreign war. The AMERICAN POLICY is
to allow no European nation to command
any military position on this side of the
Atlantic, no matter how friendly may be
ourrelations with that na'.on. Prudence
demands that we should treat all nations
which are naturally unfriendly towart
a republican system and fearful of tho
effect of its example on their own people
as probable and desirable friends, but n
the same time as possible enemies. It will
be safest that no door be left open for any
cheating or being cheated on the ques
ton of American control over the Pan
anna or other intcroceanic canal. 1t woulC
be better to contend for the original con
troll than to wait and be estopped by tn
assent of silence from complaining of for
eign intrusion.
All of which suggests that .as a nava
power we are not prepared TO whip NOR
than two or three first-cass European na
tions at this time in vigorous asserto
Of the American policy. But we can a
least protest, while we prepare TO max
good our protest. This we must do III
less we are willing to allow our policy
be determined by those who would be'
thrive by our destruction.