The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-07-26
Orr FOREIGN POLICY.

Oar foreign relations favor our domes-
tic development. We are at peace with
the wor.d-at peace upon ii sound basis.
with no unsettled questions of sufficient
magnitude to cmbarrass or distract us.
Happily removed by our geographical
position from participation or interest in
those questions of dynasty or boundary
which so frequently disturb the peace of
relations with all, and are free from pos
siblc entanglements in the quarrcls Of
any. The United States has no cause
and 10 desire to engage in conflict with
any power on EARTH aud We may rest in
assured confidence that no power desires
to attack the United States.
With the nations OF the Western hem
isphere we should cultivate closer rel;.-
tions, and Tor our common prosperity and
advancement we should invite them all
to Join with US in an agreem mt that for
the future all international troubles in
North or South America Shall be al
justed hy impartial arbitration and not
by arms. This project wa, part Of the
fixed policy Of President Garfeld's ad-
ministration, and it should in my juig-
mcnt be renewed. lis accomplishment
on this continent would Gavorably affect
the nations beyond the sea, and thus
powerfully contribute at no distant day
to the universal acceptance of the pli'-
anthropic and Christian principle of az
bitration. The effect even Of suggesting
it for the Spanish American states has
been most happy, and has increased tie
confidence of those people in our friendly
disposition. 1t fell to my lot as Secre-
tary Of State in June, 1881, to quiet ap-
prehcnsion in the republic of Mexico, by
giving the assurance III an official des-
patch that there is not the iantcst de
sire in the United States for territorial
extension south OF the Rio Grande The
boundaries OF the two republics have
been established in conformity with the
best itlris lictional interests of both. The
line of demarcation is not merely con-
ventional. 1t is more. 1t separates a
Spanish American people from Saxon
American peop.c. 1t divides one great
nation from another with distinct and
natural tinality."
We seek the conquests Of peace. We
desire to extend our commerce, and i'll an
especial degree with our friends and
nc1ghbors on this continent. We have
not improved our relations with Spanish
America as wisely and as persistently as
we might have done. For more than a
generation the sympathy of these coan-
tries has been allowed to drift away
from us. We should now make every
effort to gain their friendship. Our
trade with them is already large. Dur
iGg the last year our exchanges in the
Western IIem:s sphere amounted to three
hundred and fifty millions of dollars
nearly one-lonrth of our entire foreign
commerce. TO those who may be dis
posed to undcrrate the value Of our trade
with the countries of North and South
America, it may be well to state that
their population is neatly or quite fifty
millions and that, i'll proportion to az
grcSatc numbers, we import nearly
double as much from them as we do from
Europe. But the result Of the whole
American trade is in high degree UNI
satisfactory. The imports during the
past year exceeded two hundred and
twenty five misunderstanding IA balance
against us of more than one hundred
millions of dollars. But the money does
not 60 to spanish America. We SEND