The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-31
An Aggressive Foreign Policy.

1t has been put forward as an argu-
ment in favor of Blaine's election that
if in power he would give US some new
and startling revelations in the way Of
foreign policy. What he would do, or
what he could do, in this particular
line we are not told, but the general
impression is conveyed that in some en-
tirely original manner he would startle
the world, shake the American banner,
we suppose, over the effete monarchies
of Europe and cause our bird of freedom
to scream defiance in the ears of our
enemies. All of this kind of talk NAV
safely be classed with other campaign
nonsense, but if it be really tended to
| influence votes, it indicates curious 10
norance of the spirit and ideas of the
majority of our people. There always
is and always will be, certain restless
and reckless element thirsty for excite
ment and commotion in foreign as in
home affairs, but it has never come any
where near controlling the country,
! and it will be very bad day for US
when it does. 1t comedies with the an
archie, communistic element that even
in a free, popular government finds
|
an explosion because it thrives best
amoDg.ruins. 1t is new idea in poll
! tics if Che wishes and views of this class
are to be employed as an argument to
influence an election, which is really
what this talk about Blaine's foreign
policy means.
But perhaps some of Blaine's adj
mirers may say that what they are
after is an original and aggressive for
eign policy, and not empty indulgence
OF National vanity. The reply to this
is, that neither originality nor ag,
gressiveness is needed in our foreign
policy at present. We are getting
along very nicely by minding our own
business. and any other course tn this
would surely result in National injury.
The idea that we need aggressivenesS
in this direction is mistake. We are
differently situated from any other
great Nation in the world. We have
no colonial possessions; we have ample
space to expand in; we have no dreams
of conquest, and our territory is conf
pact and contiguous. Our foreign pol.
icy hes been and should always be dc
voted to taking care of our own Nation
than in interfering with the business oi
other people, and we have quite enough
to do in this direction without PLAYING
quixotic experiments for the gratitica
ton of National vanity. We are nct
quite Nation of shopkeepers." but
we have great deal OF stuff of one
kind or another to sell, and our pros
perity largely depends upon domestic
tranquility and commercial develops
ment and energy.
As to the restoration of cur National
prestige, if we have lost it, which is by
no means quite certain, no aggressive
ideas touching foreign policy on thu
part of our President can do us muci
good. What we really have suffered
from are evils resulting from the rult
of the Republican party in the affairs o.
the country during a long period. A
poor navy, consisting of few wooder
ships, is an injury to our Nationa
name. A loss of commercial repre-
sentatives on the high seas. with :
broken up foreign commerce, is also al
injury, and so with other matters. NJ
change in our foreign policy in respec
to England. Germany or other Nation:
can obliterate these National failures
What we want is change-a sweeping
change in the Government, and trans
fer of power from unworthy and incom
petent hands to hands that are clear
and vigorous in the discharge of duty.
We are well aware that the eleme Mt
of disorder, of wild schemes and vena
methods in both parties are favorable
to the election of Blaine. We are salts
fled that it should be so. There is some
thing in Mr.. Blaine to attract these elc
ments to his support, and we are quite
willing to 90 before the tribunal of the
people with the issues made up in thi
way. 1t can never be true that thu
thoughtful and industrious citizen of thu
United States will support man for thu
Presidency because he IS rash and dan
gerous in character, or that they vii
ever be willing to have our foreign pol
icy dictated by any other considera
tons save dignity and honor and de
cent respect for the opinions of man
kind.-iSt. Louis Republican.