The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-06-23
Will Probably be Realized In Nc
KInley's American Policy.
THE ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
And Some East Indian Islands and
the Construction Of the Mic
arsgua Canal.
DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN POLICY

United States. In addition to tho nnnexa-
tion of Hawaii and decisive action in re-
gard TO Cuba, both of which have been
completely foreshadowed In these dis
patches, am able to announce that the
president has still another project In view
closely related to tho Hawaiian and Gu
ban matters. This is nothing less than
construction Of the Nicaragua canal.
President Mckinley Is earnestly In favor
OF tho digging Of that great waterway I'M
der purely American auspices AS soon
MS he can reach 1t he expects to move, and
the probabilities are that he will have the
cooperation of congress. 1t il as yet too
carly to say just what form the presidents
interest in this vast project will take. 1t
+ is enough to know that after looking the
ground over he intends to take such 90
tion us will bring results in good time.
An Admirer Of Blaine.
In this phase of our national policy
President Mckinley took lessons from the
iato james G. Blaine. Mr.. Blaine had
one great hobby while he was prominent
IN tho public affairs of this country, and
that was tho annexation Of Hawaii on the
west, Cuba or some other West Indian
island on the east, and the opening up Of
the Nicarnguan canal In between. Years
r.
on this subject, to my personal knowledge.
Probably neither Of them thought at that
time that Mr.. Mckinley would ever be
president Of the United States, with power
in his hands to formulate and forward
these grent policies. At that time there
was much moro probability that Mr..
Blaine himself would soon DO in position
to exercise commanding influence, but
Mr.. Blaine never became president. and
; other things have interviewed. Now Mr..
Mckinley, who was one of Mr.. Blaine's
lieutcnants and admirers, Is in the White
House. and unless the signs Of tho present
day are misleading important action in
tho direction so persistently and ably adj
yocatcd by Mr.. Blaine is likely to follow.
One step has already been taken, and 1t Is
understood that others are to follow as
rapidly as possible.
1t may not be generally known that Mr..
Blaine and Mr.. Mckinley were warm
friends. This was before the year 1890,
when Mr. Mckinley prepared the famous
tariff bill which bore his name. In the
presidential campaign of 1880 Mr.. McKin-
ley was delegate to tho Chicago oonven-
tion which nominated Garfield. He was
there as Blaine delegate, although John
Sherman was a candidate. Mr.. Sherman
stood in large part as a sort of political
godfather to Mr.. Mckinley, and yet when
It came to the presidential struggle OF that
year the young Ohio congressman was
found ON Mr.. Blaine's side.
A New America.
When Mr.. Blaine was secretary Of state
under Garfield, no was already dreaming
Of a new America. He had formulated in
his mind tho grand scheme OF an Ameri-
can polity, as distinguished from tho Eu-
ropean systems. The Monroe doctrine,
which kept the United States free from all
entangling alliances with European affairs
and excluded European nations from ac-
tive participation In American questions,
save as they were directly involved through
existing interests, was tho foundation Of
the system as Mr.. Blaine saw 1t. Built
upon that was the United States as the
leader Of all American international poll
ties, as the greatest and most powerful ma
tion Of the western world, as the arbiter
between weaker powers, as the protector
of nations oppressed by foreign nations, as
q haven Of refuge for disorganized states
which had not within themselves the abil-
ity Co perpetuate good government and to
secure order and progress. As great
practical adjunct TO this state of things
and as mighty agent In upbuilding the
influence and commerce OF the United
States Mr.. Blaine wanted the Nicaragua
canal constructed as a purely American
enterprise.
Mr.. Blaine was in advance Of his times.
His inoisive intellect was looking ahead.
Sinco his day events have ripened oppor-
tunity for tho very policy which he ia
yored. Tho last administration, thanks
co Richard Olney, took up the Monroe doc
trine principle and established 1t more
firmly than ever before. 1t Is too much to
say that it Is fixed by consent of the ma
lions of the earth. 1t is not. No foreign
power has as yet given direct expression
TO acceptance Of that principle, but the
United States has asserted 1t In way
which will doubtless secure respect for IL
for all time TO come. So far as we are con-
cerned, 10 is written in international law
10 keep 1t there we are ready to go to any
extreme should emergency require. Thus
the foundation for Mr.. Blaine's great pol
10y Is hid. Its tendency Is to create dis
tlnctiyely American policy. The powers OF
Europe get together In concert for regula-
ton OF the politics OF the old world. The
United states, as the only great power In
this hemisphere, Is Its own concert as 70
purely American questions.
Advancing CitiiAatiOns
The legitimate outcome Of establishment
Of this distinctive American policy Is just
such changes as the annexation OF Hawaii,
the freedom Of Cuba under our protection
and tho construction OF the Nicaragua
canal There Is no use OF having this
American system as a moro dead letter, az
a TOY or thing OF ornament 10 means
something. 1t stands for Advancement OF
civilization In the western world, for per-
feotlon Of the science OF government, for
Improvement Of the relations existing bo-
tween nations ID Is vital, living prin-
olple, not a more academic declaration.
An incident OF this policy, constantly
hroadunlDg, will be the further upbuiiding
Of the American navy. Mr.. Blaine used 10
sny that there was no diplomacy without
eroat guns. no extension Of foreign trade
without diplomacy, neither without ships
Of war 10 make THUR presence felt when
over II might bo necessary, When he ar
auod 10 this way. the American navy was
a byWofd. Now 10 ID real navy, and the
work Of upbulldina ID has only begun.
In these dispatches for some weeks past
I Iinpo ondnaHorcd 10 depict the gradual
change Of policy that VAS coming Ia our
relations With tho outer world, tho a..
change Of Vigorous p4iIol iof tho old
.I41 NJ nonlnI<IIonIiou and Isolation.
4. ~ ~. M.II.I..