Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-05
Naturalization and Diplomacy

and honest labor.
Our naturalization laws should be so
amended that inquiry into the character aud
good disposition of persons applying for citi-
zenship may be more careful and srarrhtng
Our existing laws have been in their admin
| tration an unimpress.ve aud often an uninte-
ligible form. We accept the man rs u citi-
zen without any kuowledsc of his fitness and
he assumes the duties of citizenship without
any knowledge a. to what they are. The
privile ,es OF American citizenship are so
great and its duties so grave that We may
well insist upon a good knovledge Of every
person applying for citilenshtp and good
knowledge by him OF our institutions We
should not cease to be hospitable to immi-
grafton, but We should cease to be careless
as to the character of it, There are men OF
all races, even the best, whose coming 10
necessarily a burden upon our public re-
sources as a threat to social order Those
should be identified and excluded.
We haze happily maintained policy Of
avoiding all interference with European
affairs. We have been only Interested
spectators of their contentious IN diplomacy
and in war, ready TO use our friendly Offices
| 10 promote peace, but never obtfuding our
advice and never attempting unfairly to coin
| the distresses Of other powers into CONNER
| flHl 10 uurstiFFs. W. nave a Just
| right TO expect that our European policy will
be the American policy Of European courts.
II is so manifestly incompatible with those
precautions for our peace and safety. which
all the great powers habtually observe and
| enforce in matters affecting them, that a
shorter waterway between our eastern and
western seaboards should be dominated by
| any European government, that We may
confidently expect that such purpose will
not be entertained by our friendly power.
We shall in the future as in the past use
| every endesvor TO maintain and enlarge our
| friendly relations with all the great powers,
| but they will not expect us u look kindly
upon any project that would leave Us subject
to the dangers of hostile observation or en-
| vironment We have not sought to dominate
| or to absorb our weaker neighbors, but rath-
| er u aid and encourage them to establish
free and stable governments, resting upon
the consent OF their own people We have
| clear right 10 expect therefore, that no
European government will seek 10 establish
colonial dependencies upon the territory Of
these Independent American States. That
which sense Of Justice restrains us from
seeking they may be reasonably expected
willingly 10 forego.
| II must not be assumed, however, that our
interests are 40 exclusively American that
our entire inattention 70 any events that may
| transpire elsewhere can be taken for granted.
| Our citizens domcled for purposes of trade
in all countries and in many OF the islands Of
the sea demand and will have our adequate
care in their personal and commercial rights.
| The necessities of our navy require con-
venisnt coaliDg stations and docks and harbor
| privileges. These and other trading
| privileges we will feel free to obtain only by
means that do not in any degree partake of
| coercion, however feeble the government
| from which We ask such conce..ions. But
having fairly obtained them by methods and
| for purposes entirely consistent with the
most friendly disposition towards all other
| powers, our consent will be necessary to any
modihcation, or impairment Of their conces
sion. We shall neither fail to respect the
flag Of any friendly nation or the just rights
of It's citizens, nor TO exact the like treat
ment for our own. Calmness. justice and
| consideration should characterize our d!plo-
macy. The offices Of intelligent diplo-
macy or of friendly arbitration in proper
cases should be adequate to the peaceful ad-
'justment Of all international difficulties. BY
such methods we will make our contribution
to the worlds peace. which no nation values
more highly, and avoid the opprobriam which
must fall upon the nation that rutnlessly
breaks IL.
To Office Seekers.
The duty devolved by Law upon the Presi-
| dent TO nominate and, by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate, To appoint all
public officers, whose appointment 10 not
oiher sise provided for in the constitution or
| by act Of Congress. has become very burden
| front;ur~I nm f,uth m 20 I