Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-02-18
OUR DANGERS FROM WITH
0ITFN

Let us glance hastily at some OF the
possible and probable sources Of diff
Guilty from abroad. This is a nation of
more than 50,000.000 of people, proud,
self-reliant, enterprising, and courage
GUS. Well within the memories of
large part of our population we possess
ed 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 I'M
mense products of our soil and of our
manufactures. 1t is certain as fate
that under the pressure of necessity, and
with wise legislation, our commercial
marine will soon revive, and erelong re-
sumo its old position before the world.
One effect of this change win be to
throw us into still closer relations
with the other nations relations in the
main very beneficial TO ALL but at the
same time rendering us more liable to
be affected by their difficulties, and nee
essarily giving rise to causes of friction
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 APP
proach 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 purpose of seif-protection,
~ -,
they are for bases of operation against
us.
In the late war, il Bermuda and Mas
sau had been in our possession, the con-
test would have been shortened some
years, for Notwithstanding 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 sea-coast.
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.
do not think that we should desire
the acquisition of Cuba-certainly not
for long time to come-but we should
that key of 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 hos
tilities with Mexico; but when we con-
slider the wide differences of religion,
race, laws. and habits between us, il is
possible that trouble may grow out d
questions arising from the business re-
lations so rapidly developing, the large
investments OF American capital in rail-
ways 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 o.
troops.
The subject oil the construction d
canals across the Isthmus is OF vast in.
tercst 10 us. Should the Panama Canal
ever be completed, and even during It,
construction, serious questions are likely
to arise, requiring rs to be prepared to
enforce our rights and protect tic priyi-
leges of Our commerce.
When in the near future tile inegita-
bic construction Of the Nicaragua Canal
is undertaken and completed BY Ameri-
can capital, under the protection Of om
government, we must still more be pro.
pared to defend its neutrality and in.
sure its undisturbed use as the best pos
slblc water route between oar Atlantic
and Pacific coasts.
Ii is unnecessary TO multiply exam.
pies. My purpose has been accom-
plished if it has been shown that there
is such probability Of strained roIa,
tons with other countries as to render il
incumbent upon us tomaintain certain
state of preparation for war. If we re-
main entirely unprepared, il is quite
certain that the emergencies will arise
all too promptly, whsle II we are ready
for them, hosiil,ies may we'll be
averted. GcorGe b Mcclellan, IN Har-
| pcr's KcqqziRe.