The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-02-13
BLAINE ACCEPTS.
here.

1t is not yet officially announced
that Mr.. Blaine has been rendered
the position of Secretary of State,
but there is little doubt that such
viii be the result. Ihe report is
credited in New York and in Au-
gusta, Blaine's home. If the Cabinet
were selected by popular favor there
is no doubt whatever of Blaine's
being the choice. There are especial
reasons why Mr.. Blaine should be
placed at the head of the State De-
partment at the present time. The
administration of Mr.. Bayard has
been weak and vaciliatiDg. He at
tached his signature to two treaties
which ought never to have been
made. The fisheries treaty was re-
jected by the Senate and the Chinese
treaty only accepted through lack
of understanding of the methods by
which it might be violated. There
is need at the present time for
frmer hand at the helm. Mr.. Blaine
more than any other American states
man represents a distinctive and
spirited American policy. If Mr.
Harrison did not to an extent share
these views Mr.. Blaine would not be
selected to preside over the State
Department. It does not follow, of
course, that an era of American
jingoism is TO be inaugurated. The
United States is absolutely without
desire for cOnquests in any Part OF
the world. We are not as Bismarck
says England is-s great colo2izing
power. The extent of the American
demand il that certain islands near
to the United States or lying
along tho lire Cf commerce shall
remain Independent. The power
OF the United States Will, under
such an administration as tie
appointment Of Blaine to the
head of the State Department prom
ises, bs e1erted to maintain the in
dependence of these islands. For
some years past each succeeding ad-
ministration has been censured for
it's lack of spirit. Americans have
not been protected in foreign courl-
tries as the subjects Of some Euro
pean Governments have been. It is
even said that Americans in coma
foreign countries seek the protec-
ton OF the English flag. The coli
clusion is reasonable that Blaine will
put q stop to that. Foreign Min
listers and Consuls will receive in
structions to extend all needful pro
lection to Americans residing abroad,
with assurance that the moral and
physical force of the Government ia
behind them. The Lowells and
Phelpses who have so closely identi-
fled themselves with the sympathies,
anxieties and aspirations of the
Governments to which they are
accredited will be called home. Men
will be found who will make them
selves respected at foreign courts
while maintaining the dignity of the
nation they represent. England had
profound respect for Charles
Francis Adams, who represented the
Government of the United States at
that court during the civil war, and
yet it was the frmness and courage !
of the American Minister which |
forced England to quit the piratical
business of fitting out Alabamas. |
The average statesman is, after all,
much like the average school-boy. !
They are bravest when they think |
the other fellow will not fight. The |
United States has been the weak |
member of the family of nations |
about long enough. Other nations |
are taking advantage of our reluc-
lance to enter upon war which is !
not strictly defensive.-[S. f. Call, |
January 2lst.