The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-03

This Country Has Now Become Great
Power and Should Shoulder the
Responsibilities of the Position-Ad-
yises Breaking Away From Most Sacred
of Country's Traditions.
Cambridge, Mass. March 2.-Ths second
lecture in the series being given during
the,present year at Harvard university on
"Ciyic duties and reforms was delivered
in Sanders theatre this evening by Hon.
Richard Olney, ex-Secretary of State.
His subject was "The International 1so-
lation of the United States. " Said he:
What mean by international isolation
is this: The United States is one of the
great nations Of the world, yet it does not
accept all tho responsibilities OF that
position. Allied to the question is that of
the Monroe doctrine. The rule of inter-
national isolation OF the United States
was originally expressed in the farewell
address of Washington, It could not have
been more faithfully observed If it had
been part of the Constitution. But we
have extended it beyond its original in
tent.
"Now what is 1t that Washington en-
joined us not to do? 1t was that we should
not permanently ally ourselves with any
European power, nor enter into alliances
on this side. What we are to avoid are the
ordinary vicissitudes of European politics. |
| But this does not mean that the United
States must not protect it's citizens and
commercial life. But suppose that Ameri-
can missionaries are injured; then If only
by alliance we can get reparation we are
| bound to make that alliance. Doubtless
| we could not assert some just rights
against all Europe, but II by an alliance
| we could assert these rights, we should
be bound to do SO.
"The whole theory of Washington rule
on isolation was that the country should
have time to grow and till 1t was grown
we should not be disturbed by foreign
entanglements. But at that time three
great foreign countries had possession of
the continent. Now conditions have
changed. Washington never intended
that his rule of isolation should be made
when the country was in its maturity.
The time Is past when we should hold
aloof from the councils of the nation.
"But If we should relax the Washing
| ton rule, we would not have to expose
ourselves to needless hazards. We should
still be governed by principles of inter-
national law. 1t is q misfortune to De
governed by rule of action that has out
| lived its usefulness-to apply to our set Of
conditions that was meant for an entirely
different set of conditions. But even
Washington s rule of isolation was limited
TO politics. It did not apply to commerce.
Nevertheless the evil of the protective sys-
TEN was largely due to the Influence OF
that rule. Political isolation may not be
inconsistent with commercial freedom,
where country is weak and small. But
when country becomes % great power
covering vast continent, political isola- |
ton is sure to be serious impeachment to
commercial development.
This country should recognize the |
changed condition and accept Its present
situation with all its burdens and all its
advantages. The mission of this country,
while looking after its own interests. is
to further the cause of civilization
throughout the world.
"There is no doubt with what nation
we should cooperate England, our most
formidable rival, is our most natural
| friend. There Is such. thing as
patriotism for race as well as for country.
| Nothing less can be expected from the
community of interests If Great Britain
| and the United States, than that both
| shall use their great influence, not only
| for their common advancement, but for
| the betterment of the whole human race.
| Though some times we may have such
auarrels as only relatives and intimate
neighbors indulge in, yet 1T may be said
| that the near future will see in our closer
| friendship power for good that will be
| felt by all mankind.