The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-24

NATIONALITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
The first heavy blow to the influence Of
foreign politics was Washngton's proclama-
ton of neutrality. Il seems very simple
and obvious thing now, this policy of non
interference in the affairs of Europe which
that proclamation inaugurated, and yet at
the time men marvelled at the step, and
thought it very strange. Parties divided ov-
er IL. People could not conceive how we
could keep clear of the great stream of Eu-
ropean events. One side disIiked the pro-
clamation as hostile to France, while the
other approved it for the same reason. Even
the Secretary Of State, Thomas Jefferson,
one of the most representative men OF Amer
lean democracy, resisted the neutrality pol
icy In the genuine spirit of the colonist.
Yet Washington's proclamation was simply
the sequel to the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence. 1t merely amounted to saying, "We
have created new nation, and England
not only cannot govern us, but English and
European politics are none of our business,
and we propose to be Independent Of them
and not NEEDLE in Them The neutrality
policy Of Washington's administration was a
great advance towards independence and a
severe blow to colonialsm In politics. Wash
lukbOll tAGibSu a pDWEiAul luuuCUct
against the colonial spirit. The principle of
nationality. then just entering upon Its long
struggle with state rights. was In its very ma
ture hostile to everything colonial; and
Washington, despite his Virginian traditions,
was thoroughly imbued with the national
spirit He believed himself, and insensibly
impressed his belief upon the people, that
true nationality could only be obtained by
holding ourselves aloof from the conflicts
and politics of the Old World. Then, too,
his splendid personal dignity, which still
holds us silent and respectful after the lapse
of hundred years, communicated itself to
his office, and thence to the nation OF which
he was the representative. The colonial
spirit withered away in the presence Of
Washington.
The only thorough-going nationalist
among the leaders Of that time was Alexan-
der Hamilton. He was not born In the
States, and was therefore free from all local
Influences; and he was by nature imperious
In temper and imperial in his views. The
guiding principle OF that great mans public
career was the advancement of American
nationality. He was called British Ham
iiton by the very men who wished to throw
us into the arms Of the French republic, be-
cause be was welded to the principles and
the forms of constitutional English govern
ment, and sought to preserve them here
adapted to new conditions. He desired TO
nut our political inheritance to its proper
use, but this was as far removed from the
colonial spirit as possible. Instead Of being
tRritisb. . Hamilton's intense eagerness for
strong national government made him the
deadliest foe of the colonial spirit, which he
did more to strangle and crush out than any
other man of his time. The Objects at
which he aimed were continental supremacy
and complete independence in business,
politics, and industry. In all these
departments he saw the belittlng
effects Of dependence, and SO he as
sailed it by his reports and by his whole
policy, foreign and domestic. so much Of
mis- work as he carried through bad far
reaching effect, and did a great deal TO
weaken the colonial spirit. But the strength
Of that spirit was best shown in the
hostility or Indifference which was displayed
toward his projects. The great cause of
opposition to Hamilton's financial policy
proceeded, undoubtedly, from state jealousy