Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-30
THE STATE


The Importance of having a strong
ment is urged by existing international
complications. BY this it is not mean
hat the secretary of state should be a
bold or brilliant man, ready at resent
ment and prolific in expedients, but
one capable of defining a clear and
comprehensive policy, consistent with
the interests and dignity of the nation
and firmly adhering to it. The depart
ment of state has resumed its place,
vacated for some years to the
treasury, as the most important
of the executive departments,
and is likely to long remain
so. Our foreign relations are steadily
assuming, with the growth Of our COM
mercial interests, greater consequence.
We have reached the time when the
greed or cupidity Of other nations, COM
ing in conflict with our welfare, cannot
be permitted to have its way unchal-
lenged. Not only is the duty stronger
upon us than ever before to resent
every attempt at intrusion upon this
contempt by foreign powers, but we are
called upon to interpose for the protec-
tion of remote regions, lying in the
pathway of our commerce, against the
arbitrary domination of other countries
whose control would be inimical to our
interests. II is inevitable that as we
advance in wealth and power the condi-
tions which now give Importance to our
foreign relations will not become less
grave, while others may be expected to
arise from time to time. The depart
ment of state will be no place hereafter
for feeble and temporizing statesmen.
On the other hand the country does
not require a man who may go to the
opposite extreme in shaping an inter
national policy, and thereby invite con-
troversles and complications. The
game of diplomacy requires caution
and prudence as we'll as wisdom and
firmness. A straightforward, con-
sistent policy, true to the tradi-
lions and necessary to the inter-
ests of the country, is, what is
wanted, rather than a bold policy.
1t is one thing to potter and temporize,
as has been done by the present admin
istration, and quite another to firmly
insist that other nations shall deal
with us justly and respect our rights.
II is considerations of this character
that give a peculiar interest to our
sp@eculations as to who will be at the
head of the state department under the
next administration. Obviously the
settlement of all existing complications
will deyolve upon the next administra-
ton. The president has referred the
most urgent matter of present contro-
versy to congress, and the probability
is that it will be allowed to remain as
it is until the new administra-
tion comes in. Thus the next secretary
of state will have u greaU deal of seri-
Gus business to engage his attention at
once, not the least important and diff
cult part of which may be the necessity
of extricating the government from
false positions III which it has been
placed by the laundering of the present
secretary of state. Whoever may be
chosen to the head OF the state depart
ment under the next administration,
the country will feel a sense of security
against any reckless or imprudent policy
in the careful judgment and wise dis
erection of General Harrison. 1t
is understood that he is al
ready informing himself regarding
the most pressing matter in our inter-
national relations, and If he is called
upon to deal with il thcre can be nc
doubt that the interests ana rights of
the nation will be cared for as becomes
its character and dignity.