The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-03
THAT AMERICAN POLICY.
Blaine "Bnnglcr" ana 'Muddler'
in Eveay Question That He
T05seiied.

Senator Harrison. Of Indiana. in a
speech delivered at Indianapolis, laid
some stress on what is known as Dir.
Blaine's American policy or his
spirited foreign policy Now. the
fault to be found with Mr.. Blaine's
course as Secretary Of state does not
lie in his disposition to maintain the
rights OF the United states on this
continent, but in the bungling and
muddling which he made with every
question that lie touched. An Ameri-
can policy Is an excellent thing for
America. and nobody objects to Wig
orolIs assertion of the rights or diglIi-
fed maintenance of the influence Of
the [ nited States in the affairs of the
Western Continent. But the matter
requires q Thorough knowledge Of in
teTnatlenai law, OF the principles al
ready established. and of the eonsid-
erations which are controlling in the
relations of Independent nations. More
than al it requires a certain diplomatic
tact and skill and power in argument
which shall not leave the Government
open TO relQlndeTE that weaken its po-
si3ion.
Mr.. Blaine exhibited 40 capacity for
dealing with these questions. and his
blundering efforts We're calculated TO
defeat his professed object and bring
the Government into contempt The
fast subject on which he thought he
saw an opportunity for rushing IN and
making d display Of his capacity was
the Panama Canal. Taking up
mere rumor. which proved to have ne
foundation, that the European Govern
ments HeFe considering the subject Of
la
The lIfteTOcealIc canal. he addressed a
circular to our ministers abroad declar-
ing that the United States had already.
in q treaty with New Granada in 1876,
assumed the responsibility Of this guar
antee and would regard any European
agreement as ~an indication G.f tIii-
friendly feeling This was an In-
called for challenge. calculated TO com
promise the Government on the sub
jet whenever any real occasion for ac-
ton should arise. 1t was generally re-
gilrded as display Of bunlptiousness.
But by utterly ignoring the later treaty
with Great Britain it laid the Govern
Eent open to a telling reply from that
quarter. Having discovered the exist
ence and bearing of the Clayt0n-Bul-
yer treaty through The comments which
his circular excited Dir Blaine ad
dressed long communication TO Min
lister Lowell n which he proposed
modification Of that agreement which
should give the United States rights
which Il had agreed TO f0rego and ef-
feet the Withdrawal o. those tlsat trreat
Britain had secured. At a proper time
and IN a proper manner all that vas es-
saRlial II the pr0pOs Won might per-
haps be secured. But Mr Blaine put
it. IL such way and showed such ig-
noTance or nisconception of the facts
and principles involved as TO reDeI anv
good understanding, aad I-oad tsraII-
vile easily demolished his elaborate ar
gHmeut.
The difficulty between Chill and Peru
Presented another opportunity for in
teryenIOn- Where eandor. fairness. and
genuine goodwill might have accom-
pllslled something. But 3fr. Blaine
tried 10 play the Representations Of the
South american Governments against
each other. and make certain private
claims Of very dubious character the
basis Of his entire diplomacy IN that
quarter. Tie dlsgTaceful episode Of
the Cochet and I.andreau claims and
the SsiipheTd Peruvian Company are
well remembered The effect was ut
terry 10 destroy tic IIlfiCenos 81 the
United States IN Lie International con-
tToYersy and to place the Government
in q hrIIni liating position. From that
time It's represent afio1s we're practi-
caliT disregarslesi. and Il VIII be long
before il viii be fe-esfablisIed IN the
respect Of Southern American Tepul-
les In the ease Of the boundary dis
pute between Mexico and Guatemala
All hlaIre again displayed his rash
propensity for Tneddling and his inca
Ilslelty % deal with discretion or fair
ness with foreign nations lie sent to
Minister Morgan letter esraoasiHg the
81 .zteInalan side and practically threat
It seek or permit any misur1 ersffas1lI-