The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-05
GEORGE wAsHINGTOys ADVICE.

en-, from those OF today. This was
young and struggling nation. OF very
small consequence rs compared with
the rest Of the world. Far-seeing as
he was. he could not have dreamed that
within one hundred years the thirteen
states would have become an empire,
the weaithiest In the world and with
a commerce only surpassed By one
other power. Good as his advice was
then, &c could not be expected that the
specific suggestions Of any man could
be framed to meet the changes which
one hundred years would bring even
with normal advantages While the
general principles the first president
laid down are applicable TO all times
and conditions. his advice as TO matters
OF detail could only be valuable so long
as the circumstances remain materially
the same.
The law was provided that a newly
elected president chosen in November
should not take his seat until the fol-
lowing March, and the law which al
lows an equal interval TO elapse in the
case OF congressman was prudently
framed in order TO allow for the time
consumed I'm going TO and from the
capital by those who lived In the then
distant states. 1t took as long to go
from Washington 10 Maine then as II
does now 10 go from the capital to
Seattle. IL took weeks for news to
thirteen states. while now it reaches
every hamlet In the country within an
hour or two. When Washington gave
his advice it would have taken three
months nj least to have received the
news OF the battle in Manila bay. II
reached here in a day. Oregon was
then further from Washington. so far
as accessibility Is concerned. than the
Philippine islands are now.
Our advancement has been infinitely
more rapid than that OF any other
country In any previous hundred years,
and even Washington could not have
foreseen this.
There was n time. not SO far back.
when the ambition Of the United States
was 10 be sort OF China with It's cir
cumscribing wall. Our idea was to
preserve the isolation suggested by the
great ocean on the east and the appar-
entity HmItless prairies Of the Indian
country. which is now right In the
heart OF the United States. All this
has been rapidly changed. We could
| NOT remain exclusive even Il We wanted
to. our population has increased from
1890 600 to over 90 o00. 900. We sell more
in the Orient than the whole country
could produce q hundred years ago.
and cur trade with Europe gives busi-
ness To more ships than sailed all the
seas In the beginning OF the century.
Even now We have no purpose 10
| break down the policy advocated by
Washington In general way. We do
not seek 10 acquire foothold in Eu-
| rope, but only 10 protect our growing
commerce IN the Orient. Washington
advised Us a. steer clear Of permanent
alliances with any portion OF the for
| eiga world, bUt NJ added that. by TAX
! lng care always - keep ourselves by
suitable establishments on n respect
| able defensive posture. We might safely
/ trust 70 temporary alliances for extra.
ordinary emergencies. At the same
tire h. said that liberal intercourse
w!th AT nations was recommended hy
I policy. humanity and interest. Posses
/ sion og thc Philippine Islands Is ROW ore
/ ot those suitable establishments on a
/ respectable defensive posture Which.
Wl:h oar enlarged interests. would no
/ aoaht have commended themselves 10
/ ca statesman vhe was always ready
I 20 se4djast pal.ry ,o changing c!rcufn~
/ stances.
i Is vel understood What Washing
/ ten meant Tir.A Americans who
/ feared aggression ea the part u ore r
c.ass sc the European powers mart
/ see.eI a disposition 81 seek safety ny
an alliance w.tA either I.ne. and q
Fraoce. arr particularly NTH France
/ Was,,uE-sn's eVrerirHes Uish that:
/ ecuatey had teea q such char
as;er ,ha' BE VAS Justified In warning
Ass c9@utryruea Sc slice. c.aa1 equally
! fresa rass, rate attachments anA from
inve'evats ansiFatAies, He a4Inoalshe.i
taesn - keep constantly n view that
/ &; IS folly 81 oas n4'.oa 70 look - dis
interested f&yo~s f-a;a aao,her. and
! teat IL rsust pay w.ta portion q. its
. q 1cpva3eGce e y hAteeey /; may ae-
ceps under ihas character.
| Tasgs is aasalus n ;as purpose 70