Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-29
Mr.. BLAINE'S S0UTH-AMERICAN
POLICY.

England never permits herself to
be governed by sentiment. When
John Bull takes an interest IN the
affairs of other people yOa may be
sure he has his eyes fixed upon a
certain amount of pounds, shillings,
and pence. 1t is true he makes a
farcical attempt TO persuade the
world that he is always influenced
by the purest motives. 1t is IN the
interest of civilization that he
pushes his way into Africa and
Asia and forces the natives at the
point of the bayOnet to exchange
their raw material for English
manufactures, which operation
yields John Bull a good financial
profit whilst at the same time it
affords him the qualification of
knowing that he is spreading
"British civilization"
In countries like the United
States, where the civilization dodge
cannot be resorted to, John gives
some other reason for informed.
ding. In our case he plays the
"eldest born" trick. He loves us
so much that he is grieved to see
us in;unng ourselves by not adopt
ing the free trade policy. We
should be much better off If we only
became his customers and bought
of him what we now make at home.
The American party or the Ameri-
can statesman who takes this view
is a favOrite with John Bull, as
was shown by the deep interest he
took in the party and the Presi-
dental candidate that was con-
Jointly defeated last November.
If John loves those amongst us
who favor a pro.Britlsh policy it is
hardly necessary to say that he
does not look with favor upon those
who, prompted by a feeling OF
loyalty, to America and American
interests, combat the pro. British
policy that has been rejected at the
polls. 1t is not strange, then, that
Mr.. Blaine Is not, to use a diplO-
matte term, a persona grdtG to
England. What he has done to
defeat the pro.Brtish policy is
matter of recent history so we'll
known that there Is no need of our
dwelling on 1t now. The splendid
services he rendered during the
late campaign would in itself have
entitled him to the vlrulent abuse
that has been heaped upon him by
the men who have English interests
at heart.
There is, however, an additional
reason why the Secretary OF State
is feared as well AZ hated by Eng.
land. What is known as "Blaine's
South American policy" threatens
to rob John Bull of one Of the
richest markets in the world. This
policy aims at establishing closer
relations between this country and
the South American republics, In
that way rich markets that are now
almost the exclusive possession OF
England will be thrown open to
Americans.
Colonel Albert ID. Shaw, who
was for several years American
Consul at Manchester, England,
says in a published interview that
during his stay in England he had
an opportunity of knowing how
afraid British manufacturers are OF
Mr.. BlaiDe's South American pol
icy. Here is the way he expresses
himself on this subject,
"Tha facts are that vast
amount of foreign capital is now
aud for years past has been pouring
into South America, and the ques-
ton of Americas tapping this rich
stream of commercially some worthy
system of Governmental to steam
ship lines,and possibly by rail-ald-
ed by suitable treaties - alarms
the far seeing statesmen abroad
In my judgment, a large part OF
the unfair, splteful, and malignant
criticism hurled at Mr.. Blaine oyer
the sea has its origin in the fear
that his policy of closer trade re-
latlOns with the republics to the
south of us is one dangerous to
their trade supremacy in Que of the
richest and most rapidly develop
ing portions Of the whole world
They realize our opportunities, and
so tear our possible action.
have heard the possibilities of this
great question discussed privately
in England in a manner that con-
vinces me that if our people,
realized What a golden wave OF
needed raw products could be at
tracted to our shores from these re-
publics-paid for by manufacturers
from our mills-there would be
such a general consensus OF opinion
in its favor as would make the
blaine policy one of the GROWING
glories of his long public career"
1t was bad enough, from an
English point of view, to keep the
American market from being
flooded with cheap-made English
goods. But the thought that there
is chance of his being also forced
out of South American markets
makes John Bull furious. No won
der he and his friends on this side
of the Atlantic bitterly hate Mr..
BIaine.-N. Y. Irish World.