New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-26
THE FIRST DUTY.

If President Mckinley should say in his Inau-
gural Address that this country could not prop
erly take any steps likely to involve II In for
eign controversy until the Government had first
been provided with sufficient revenue to meet
its necessities in time of peace. TO provide amply
for insurlng the soundncss of its currency and
10 restore fully its credit. those who are impa-
tient for immediate action regarding Cuba would
doubtless criticise the statement severely on
many grounds They would say that such
declaration was in effect an invitation TO foreign
Powers TO treat with injustice and even bar
barty any American citizens abroad and con
fession that the United States was powerless to
redress any insult or wrong. That would not be
logical for the Nation might be 10th abundantly
able and entirely ready 10 resent actual wrong
or insult. though not prepared TO bring about any
difficulty by Intervention in the affairs of other
countries. But whether such declaration would
be expedien not Is il not essentially the truth?
The first duty of the Nation is TO its own citi-
zens who reside within its borders, pay It's taxes
and support its Government. and depend for
their prosperity upon the soundness Of its credit
and currency and the defence of their industries;
and upon these people il must rely in every
emergency Until il has done what Is mmedi-
ately necessary for their defence and welfare
nothing but actual foreign aggression or insult
could Justify the Government in deferring that
duty Neither could the credit Of the Nation be
expected to stand wholly mistaken If ii should
defer providing for its necessities and the
sure meeting of its obligations in order TO en-
gage in foreign controversy The strong and
universal popular feeling which any act Of ag
gression or insult would instantly arouse would,
indeed. enable the Government to raise any sum
Of money needed. and at the same time would
force through Congress without delay any finan-
cia measure required. But the popular feeling
would be altogether different. If without such
imperasiv occasion the Government should
ter upon steps likely to affect its credit before
taking proper measures 10 put that credit on
solid foundation.
II IS not 10 be overlooked that the control Of
the worlds money market is largely in the
hands Of men who have many reasons for wish
ing TO see American credit impaired and the in
dustrial independence OF this codntry dimin-
ished, and above all for checking any DISPOSE
ton In this country TO extend its sphere of infu-
ence. There are great foreign bankers who have
heavy investments in Spanish securities, in
Canadian and Mexican securities and in control
of oceanic commerce The influence OF such
fnancIers in the markets Of this country has
been more than once felt, as those know who
understood the disturbance following the Pres.
ident's message about Venezuela. Whatever
might be interpreted as aggression by the United
States would at least give opportunity for AS
sauts upon the currency of this country and the
credit of the Government, which il would be able
TO meet without difficulty if it had first dis
charged its paramount duty Of providing an ade-
Quate revenue and the conditions necessary 10
the prOsuerifV of the DpODlc
The true feeling Of the people Of this country
is not merely peaceful, but strongly averse to
measures which might with appearance Of ra-
son be interpreted as wantonly aggressive. Pre-
cisely as the true man who is conscious Of great
power is apt to be most reluctant to force con-