The National tribune., 1882-04-08

ing gratitude and respect of his fellow
c0untrymen.
Cur Foreign Policy.
1t has always been the policy of the
United States to take no part III the quarrels
Of other nations. 1t has never sought to
enlarge its territory by conquest or colonial
ton. 1t has never employed the sword to
force It's political and religious IDEAS upon
lis neighbors. For a century il has watched
without envy or alarm the growth of the
Dominion of Canada, although the boundary
which separates the two domains is as
imaginary as that which divides France
from Germany. At any lime within the last
quarter of a century it might have annexed
Canada by force Of arms and held it against
sent out to retake it; but we have been con-
tent to live in harmony and friendship with
our northern neighbor, intent upon the de-
vel0pment Of our own Industries and the
maintenance of good government within our
own borders. 1t is true that we have been
sometimes strongly tempted to plant our
flag in other lands. The public have not
yet forgotten that the annexation of San
Domingo vas at one time subject of
national discussion, and long ago, had we so
desired, we might have secured undis-
puted possession Of the Sandwich Islands
But the traditional policy of the Govern
ment has been steadfastly maintained in
spite of all enticements, and to-day we are
at peace with all the world No foreign
power menaces the safety of the Republic.
and the Republic has no ambitions that age
likely to disturb the confidence of its ne
bors In q word, we have realized the i
measure of peace and prosperity which ,s,t
fathers f0resaw would result from a faithful.
adherence to the policy of non-interierence.
But the policy of uon-interference in the
affairs of foreign nations does not, by any
means, imply that the Republic is not bound
to protect the rights of its citizens when they
are jeopardized by the action of other pow
ers. The principle requiring the Government,
to maintain q neutral attitude in the i'm
broglio between Chill and Peru is not in
yolyed, for instance, in the case Of the Amer
lean citizens who have been incarcerated in
Irish prisons under the operation of the CO.
ercion act without the formality of trial.
The issue raised by that tyranical procedure
is one that bears directly upon the obliga-
ton of the United States Government to
protect It's own citizens, and we do not hesi-
tate to say that Minister Lowell should long
ago have been instructed to demand the re-
lease Of the American suspects" To charge
that such a demand might involve Us in
war with England is sheer nonsense, but
even should that be the result, surely this
Government ought not, on that account, TO
deny its protection to those who are entitled
TO it. 1t is true that We have no navy
worthy of the name, and that we have but
a handful Of regular troops, but the moral
influence Of the Republic with other nations
is not measured, we imagine, by its appar-
ent fighting strength, and at least it ought
10 interpose a vigorous protest against the
action Of the British authorities Deeply as
the people Of this country have sympathizcd
with the doWn-trodden Irish pcasantry in
thcir long struggle for home rule, they have
never countenanced any armed interference
with the coeTcive measures of the British
parliament, and the British government can
not afford, by refusing to accede to the reas-
enable demands Of the United States in be-
half of its own citizens, TO invite its open
hostility. Both Congress and the Presi- |
dent will do well to respect the sentiment |
which is being manifested in all sections of |
the country and expressed in the shape OF
and petitions from private citi-
zens, State legislatures, and public bodies
in favor of enforcing the rights of
American citizens on foreign soil
TIE LITERARY excellence of THE Ma
TIOEAL TRIBUNE makes it IN invaluable |
ournal for the family and 1ireside. Each
number is filed with charming poems,
stories, sketches, and useful information of a
general character; and It's agricultural de-
'artment is unsurpassed by that Of any
weekly in the country. A sample copy
viii be sent, on application, free of cost.
In c.I-1- hl,t |