The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1884-09-13
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The American Policy.

Boston Statesman.
In connection with much other dis
course upon the distinguishing traits
and qualifications of the Republican
candidate, we hear much about his
American policy. This is a phrase
that is likely to confuse some, Inter
preted by the light of certain facts in
our political history it would mean a
policy by which those born in other
countries should be virtually pro-
scribed, that is, not admitted to equal
participation in public affairs under
any circumstances. 1t might even be
construed to 60 beyond that and ex-
tend the prescription to men on ac-
count of their religion, as in the case
of the Madigan circular which, we be-
lieye, had Mr.. Blaine's unqualified ap-
proyal. But when we see the cordial
reception that the idea Of this Amer
lean policy gets in certain quarters,
we are puzzled to reconcile it with
the American policy of quarter of a
century or more ago. When in Q dy-
namiter's Congress James G. Blaine
is taken up and approved because he
will inaugurate an American policy,
we are safe in concluding that radi-
calIy different idea has displaced the
one that used to wear this name and
title. We get o little light by hear
ing Others say that Mr.. Blaine would
give us an aggressive policy, . vigor.
Gus policy. There is certain kind
Of aggressive policy that we would
like to see instituted, but this is not
the kind that is expected from
the plumed knight. We would
dearly like to see four years OF
aggression against the rings and cor
rupt combinations with which our
public service is honeycombed, but
Judging the future by the past we are
fifty-fold, at least, more likely to get
that wholesome and beneticent aggres-
sion from Grover Cleveland than from
James G.. Blaine. It should not be
the policy of the American people to
stir up strife with foreign powers, and
we know very well that at the present
time it is not. Anything of that sort
would be more distinetiyely Euro
pean than an American policy, II has
been well-known device of rnleFs in
the Old World, when they found their
subjects growing disseminated under
their tyrannies and exaetions, to quar-
rel with neighboring powers upon
some petty pretext, and BY arousing
National sentiment cause the people
to forget their grievances. We arc
unable TO see much difference between
this policy and that to which il is pro
claimed MIR, Blaine viii give his early
attention if elected President. II
other words be is going to stir things
up, not by showing and relieving whai
has been wrong at home, but by med
ding with the business Of others
gratifying the greed, the curiosity anC
the spirit of adventure which it Il
easy to make an active force under !
spirited lingo policy. He would turI
the thought Of American citizens
away from the debauchery by whisl
their public service is now tainted, Il
| preparing debauchery of o new ant
seductive kind. He made some pro
gress in this direction when Presiden
for six months before, and the snel
Of gnano still fingers abont our state
craft for that brief record. Wha
would he do If given the other that b
coyetsa