Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-11-16
FOREIGN POLICY FIRM
Democrats Have Fought All the Wan
with Foreigners

with f~orctShcfN
The report that Mr.. Cleveland VIII
announce n firm foreign policy in his
forthcoming message is probably true
But the implication that the foreign
rolicy of the administration has not
hitherto been firm is not justified by
the facts,
1t has happened that an unusual
number of international questions
has arisen within the last year, and this
would justify the giving of the matter
greater prominence than has hitherto
been done. But that the president de'
signs to depart from the old policy OF
"peace with honor" and the avoidance
Of all needless complications with for
eign nations, whether strong Of weak.
will not be believed except upon direct
evidence.
1t has been the custom OF the rc-
publicans TO assume that they are the
only people capable of a vigorous for
eign policy, When they have the pres
idency they insist that it is the duty
of ali good citizens 10 uphold the policy
of the administration whether II is
right or not. When Il democratic pres
ident is in Office the republicans invari-
nhly find fault with everything that is
done, and everything that is not done.
They invent numerous stories of official
misconduct or neglect, comment on
them in n pharisaic spirit, and when
they are contradicted make arrange
ments to put other falsehoods in circu-
lation.
The republican pretension to Sill
perior zeal or ability in protecting the
national honor is purely fictitious. The
Mora claim, which originated IS years
ago, slumbered under republican adj
ministrations, and was finally settled
this year by a democratic secretary
of state. Numerous other righteous de-
mands of Il citizens against foreign
countries came over from republican
administrations after being left unset
tied for years. Outrages on our yes-
sells by Spanish vessels were more nu-
merous during the Cuban insurrection
from 1865 to 1878 than during the pres
ent one, and were less vigorously treat
ed. On the other hand, Secretary
Gresham and Secretary Olney have
gone on without any tableaux or red
lights, quietly investigating and set
Ting the troublesome questions that
have arisen, and protecting the honor
of the government. The honor of the
government and of the people have
suffered only from the ISLANDERS that
have diifused assertions that the demo-
cratic party is incapable of q yigor-
Gus foreign policy.
What many of these people mean by
Il firm foreign policy is one of brag and
buster, OF the spoliation of weak ia
tons, while trucking to the strong, of
support given to freebooters and adven-
turers that are willing to divide the
spoil they may procure with profession
al patriots in Office who lend them
countehancc ana support. ms is not
the sort of policy which democrats APP
prove. Yet all the territory which this
country has acquired has been obtained
under democratic auspices, unless we
except Alaska, and even that was pur-
chased after President johnson and
Secretary Seward had broken with the
republicans. The democratic party
fought the only wars we have baI with
foreign countries since the adoption of
the constitution, and won them. 1t is
Il gross SANDER to say of such a party
that it is incompetent TO protect the
country's honor. But these charges
come mostly from men whose ancestors
and political predecessors were against
the government IN the wars of 1912 and
lSi6.-Louisyille Courier-Journal.