St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-18
ANIMATION.

ANNEAhtlON.
Without any definite information as
10 the policy or purposes OF the incom-
n administration on national affairs,
or without any authentic statement
from the president-elect or from those
who enjoy his confidence, there is stilla
well-defined impression in the public
! mind that Gen. HARRISON is determined
to inaugurate what might be properly
termed an expansive policy. That's. that
he desires to bring about more intimate
commercial relations between this
country and acme of the adjacent coun-
tries, and that he has in mind to signal
iZe his administration in the way that the
POLK administration became famous.
by securing to the republic valuable
acquisitions. Canada is thought to be
the object nearest in view, with Mexico
and the West Indies close in sight. Ii
such be the policy to be pursued by the
next administration. it must he conceded
to be eminently wise.
First of all, there is necessity for
doing something to create a broader
national spirit than exists in this coun-
try to-day. There is too much section
alism. lie old, old prejudiceS between
North and South are lingering too long
for the nations welfare. The antago-
nisms between the East and West are
intensified as some of the leading
economic questions are being pressed
to the front. The country wants
policy that will kindle anew the fame
of patriotism. and bring all classes from
all sections to its support. The time is
propitious for inaugurating such a
policy. Never in the history of the
country has there been an era of such
universal good feeling Immediately sue
ceeding presidential contest as exists
at this time. There is less partisan bit
ternesS than ever before; therefore the
new president will find the country in a
happy frame of mind to yield him cor
dial support in any movement that will
revive patriotic ardor, and which must
ultimately rebound to the glory of the
republic.
The GLOBE has had occasion to say
before that, in its opinion, expansion OF
the republic is natural law OF Its
healthy existence. Next to the pres
ervation of the Union itself, that prln-
ciple is paramount to all other queS-
tons of national policy. The eXpan-
sive principle of this government has
hitherto followed the track Of the sun.
and our imperial posSesslons here in
the West vindicate it in its practical re-
suits. But for that construction Of the
constitution which gave to the nation
its expansive force, the very Leart and
center of our lreat national do
m lin would now be in the pos
session of foreign powers, owned
10y foreign governments and gov
erned by the bayonets of Europe.
Who would now tear out the chapters
OF our history which record the terrific
rial acqu SitionS which have given us
the Mississippi valley, Florida and the
borders of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas
and its broad prairies, California, the
state of magical, golden growth, and
even far-away Alaska. with its fur
trade and the prospective wealth of its
mines and forests? But now the law of
political eravitation points in other di-
rections, and the whole patriotism of
the country responds to the course of
manifest destiny. 1t is not that mani
fest destiny which moves without
law. but that which is to be
achieved by law. The spirit Of
American liberty and progress is abroad
upon the face of this continent, and the
tyranny of the old world is trembling i'll
its presence. This spirit pervades the
Dominion of Canada, it has touched the
shores of Cuba, it is manifeSting itself
in anarchy-cursed Mexico, and it can
not be removed until the wisdom of
American craftsmanship has achieved
the acquisition of all these countries.
he future of this government, if it is
to have future, must be one wide thea
ter of expansion. The great law self
defense and national security-a law of
nations paramount to all other laws-calls
imperatiyely for recognition OF this
fact in the diplomacy and legislation OF
the country. If the incoming admins
tration is wise, it will step i'll just where
the outgoing administration has left
Off, and looking steadily and boldly to
these facts will shape the policy of the
nation toward its lawful and inevitable
expansion.