The herald., 1894-07-20
MORE PRAGMATICAL DIPLOMACY.

When George Washington prepared
to take formal leave oil his country men,
in order to retire to private life, he
aimed to give them his best and most
carefully matured couneels. He laid
particular stress upon the wisdom OF
avoiding ''entangling alliances" realiz
ing the peculiarly happy position in
which this country stood towards the
rest OF mankind. With this cardinal
outgiving of wisdom, afterwards supple.
mented by the Monroe doctrine, this
country was placed in a position in
which it could make no mistakes as
respected other nations, just as Euro
pean powers we're warned that no inter
meddling with the affairs OF the nations
of the American continent would be
permitted by the great republic.
Between Washington and Monroe we
we're TINS placed on a commanding
diplomatic eminence. With hands
Oft" announced as our distinctive policy
as respects the new world, we were
pledged to allowing the rest OF mankind
to attend to their own business.
And now steps forward the Hon.
Walter Q. Gresham and appears in the
role of intermeddler in dispute be-
tween Corea aud Japan, probably at
the instigation OF his next friend, the
Chinese minister. What business is it
OF Mr.. Gresham's to mix himself up IN
ok
has no earthly interest? By what au-
t1ority does this peculiar politician and
debataDle Statesman Justify his inter
fering with dispute on the other side
OF the broad Pacific ocean?
AS far as we are allowed to learn any
details OF the matter, this pragmaticsl
act of Greeham's is founded on senti-
mental reasons. A great power ought
Bot to make a show OF force toward
weak one, forsooth. How long would
We be obliged to wait before Mr.. Gresh-
am would enter any protest against the
aggressions of Great Britain in Africa,
Tor instance, q country much nearer the
United States than Corea, and in whose
fortunes we have the interest involved
In the possession OF eight million blacks
as elements OF our population? When
regard is had to this fact this country
has more interest in Africa than all the
powers of Europe put together, and yet
we have not heard that Mr.. Gresham,
on sentimental or other grounds, has
made any protest against England's
recent buccaneering acquisition OF Airi-
can territory that gives her an open
road from Cape Town to Cairo.
1t will be remembered that the ad-
b1istration sought to set up the dusky
Queen Lii on tbs throne of Hawaii from
sentimental reasons. That was ono OF
the moot farcical fiascos that ever was
recorded in diplomatic annals. The peo-
pie of the United States, without dis
tinction Of party, showed their deep dis
gust at this do-sentimentai diplo-
macy, and the administration was
finally compelled to drop it like hot
potato.
When the Democratic party came into
possession of the Hon. Walter @.
Gresham it did not highly value the
acquisition. In fact, it would have
parted with him on incredibly low
terms. That was the case at the outset.
1t has become very much more so as
the days go by. Where this Hoosier
gets his unlimited cheek has never been
explained. 1t has become fact recog-
nized of sill men Of late that this much
bosstsd Mugwump has been vastly over.
rated. His miscarriage in Hawaii ought
to have taught him modesty.
The people OF the United States can
not do better than to return to the wise
and conservative counsels of the Father
Of his Country, and leave "entangling
alliances" and pragmstical diplomacy
alone.