St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-01-14
OUR DANGERS FROM WITHOUT

Let us glance hastily at some of the
possible and probable sources of diff
Guilty from abroad. This is nation of
more than 100000 of people, proud,
self-reliant, enterprising, and courage
Gus. Well within the memories of a
large part of our population we pos
sessed a vast mercantile marine,
whose flag was seen in every port of
the known world. One of our greatest
needs is an outlet in foreign markets
for the immense products of our soil
and of our manufactures. 1t is certain
as fate that under the pressure of neces-
sity, and with wise legislation, our
commercial marine will soon revive,
and erelOng resume its old position be-
fore the world.
One effect of this change will be to
throw us into still closer relations with
the other ADMINISTRATION in the
main very beneficial to all, but at the
same time rendering us more liable to
be affected by their difficulties, and
necessarily giving rise to causes of fric
ton from which we are now free.
For example, when the western At
lantic is once more crowded with our
ships engaged in commerce with all
parts of the world, we will begin to
ask ourselves by what right foreign
nation holds Gordon of fortified naval
stations commanding so many avenues
of approach to our shores, and enabling
it to cut off our vessels in the event of
war. Halifax, the Bermudas, Nassau,
and Jamaica are important to England
not so much for the purpose of self
protection, not so much for her own
commerce, as they are for bases of OPP
Grafton against us.
In the late war, if Bermuda and Mas
sau had been in our possession, the
contest would have been shortened
some two years, for blockade running
would have been well-nigh impossible.
This is one cause of friction which
must inevitably arise with our growth,
and one reason why we should be pre-
pared to defend our seacOast.
Other similar probabilities could be
mentioned, as in the event of the ques-
ton arising of the cessiOn of Cuba by
Spain to any other European power.
l do not think that we should desire
the acquisition of Cuba-certainly not
for long time to cOme-but we would
and should go to war rather than allow
that key to the Gulf to pass into the
hands of any other European nation.
There is no reason, apparently, why
our relations with the Dominion of
Canada should be other than most
friendly, but so long as her connection
with Great Britain remains unchanged,
she would necessarily become involved
in any difficulty arising between her
mother country and ourselves.
There is no absolute necessity for
hostilities with Mexico; but when we
consider the wide differences of religion
race, laws, and habits between us, it is
possible that trouble may grow out of
questions arising from the business re-
latiOns SO rapidly developing, the large
Investments of American capital in
railway and other industrial enterprises
the great number of our people cOnse-
quently residing in Mexico, and the oft
recurring border difficulties, and the
conclusion is inevitable that it would
be unwise to assume that no difficulty
can occur requiring the employment of
troops.
The subject of construction of canals
across the Isthmus is of vast interest to
us. Should the Panama Canal ever be
completed, or even during its cOnstruc
ton, serious questions are likely to
arise, requiring us to be prepared to
enforce our rights and protect the priv
ileges of our commerce.
When in the near future the newt
able construction of the Nicaragua Ca
nal is undertaken and completed by
capital, under the protection
of our government, we must still be
prepared to defend it's neutrality and
insure it's undisturbed use as the best
water route between our Atlantic and
Pacific coasts.
1t is unnecessary to multiply exam
pies. My purpose has been accOmp-
lished if it has been shown that there
is such a probability of strained re-
latiOns with other countries as to rem
der it incumbent upon us to maintain a
certain state of preparation for war.
If we remain entirely unprepared, it is
quite certain that the emergencies will
arise all too promptly, while if we are
ready for them, hOstilities may be
George B. Mcclellan, in
Harper's Magazine for January.
UTSo For. TDu~