New-York tribune., 1886-08-16
4 snrTHERN FOREIGN POLICY.

Tho comments of sone influential journals
of the South upon the difficulty with Mexico
are well calculated to induce serious rehectioi.
If they do not prompt apprehension OIL war II
is only because there is some reason to behcvc
that the Administration will be governed pS
broader and higher motives than a part OF les
supporters avow. These journals convey tnc
idea that there is in the South consideiao'c
number of turbulent and lawlcss PERSONS "ho
do not contribute greatly to the welfare y,
society in a civilized State. But II Is uigeo
that in the conquest and occupation OF he"
territory, in ousting MeXicans and INDIANS
opcling mines, developing resources, ana es-
tabli.hing towns and States. these turbulent
characters would be found useful cltlzchS' a'
tbcv are not and would not be III peace ana
an orderly condition of things. Hence IL l.
reasoned, a foreign w% and the annexation
of territory TO the southwark would bless lhe
country, removing great body OF awicss ana
turbulent persons from States Wneae 'hcS oo
mischief ony, and turning them to some use'
This is on unconscious avowal OF National
nolicv which is much older than the people VINO
advocate it. Southern influence. whenever IL
has bcen dominant in National councils, has con
.tantlv threatened to embroil the country Ill
difficulties with nations having territory south
of us, and always for the reason Which IL"
have hitherto been caous enough to avow
There are. and ever have been, many tuIDuiehl
and adventurous spirits at the SOuth, because
education in the notions which slavery 1os'c.cu
has ever disposed young men OF the SCUM u
lool upon labor a. the lot OF an lnic1Or race
and a disgrace to "the great, proud, ruilie
white race" The boys who grow mp win an
idea that it is shameful to earn living Du'
chivalrous anI manly to spend llie III ecui's
4 living in some easier way, ana I'D dfihhiis'
Gambling. and ruling the country, are cAcecu
inolv nrooc to welcome the chances when
foreign difficulties offer. More sedatc an"
wiser citizens who feel that these turbuleh,
and ungoyc1rablc persons are tclilDc loao
for civilized community to carry, ma II HI
possib]e to get rid Of them except by the Su-
meme attraction Of foreign war, and 20 'hcy
come to favor a policy which they alc well
aware is otherwise not for the best good ol
the country.
This ;s one of the strongest reasons for fear
ing and opposing that dominant influence OF
the South in National affairs when lneVl'app
comes with Democratic victory. Inc North-
can Democrats, knowing that they are utleny
unable 10 accomplish anything by them elves,
are perforcc mclc hcwers Of wood and drawers
Of water for the Democrats OF the South. Inc
dictation of the Southern leaders, though 1t
often gals and makes Northern men lcs'ivc
and rescntful, is nevertheless irresistible with
those who hope for spoils or honors through
Democratic victories There is no help 10
il Democratic victory means Southern die
tation and Southern dictatiOn means foIegn
policy largely shaped by a desire to get nd o.
the adventurous, turbulent and lawess spirit
whom the theories of slavery produce at the
South in great number. In this case, 1t may
prove fortunate for the country that. PIe>ldcnt
Cleveland has been thrown into sharp antagOn-
ism with the Democratic leaders of the South
on the silver and other financial questions from
| the beginning of his term. knowing thai
he must depend upon Democrats OF the North
to secure his denomination, even though he
may want Southern support in the election,
| he NAV consider that broil with Mexico would
not help him or his party. And yet there l.
at least a chance that he may do as ncally
evcay ambitious Domociat for half a century
has DONE and constitute Southern leaders the
| kecpers of his conscience and the masters OF
his thinking, in order TO sccule their political
| favor.