The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-12-17

his farewell address, from great heart,
jealous for the future of his beloved
country, saw with prophetic vision the
dangers of such a step. Listen to his
warning: Against the insidious wiles
of foreign influence, the jealousy of
free people ought to be constantly awake.
History and experience prove that for
eign influence is one of the most baneful
foes of republican government. The
great rule Of conduct for us in regard to
foreign nations is, in extending our COM
mercial relations. to have with them as
little political connection as possible.
Why, by Interviewing our destiny with
any part of Europe, entangle ourselves
in the tolls of European ambition, rival
ship, interest, humor or caprice? 1t is
our true policy to steer clear of perma-
nent alliances with any foreign power"
Even now Europe is growing restless
under the load of miitarisn, and the
czar of all the Russias is asking for a
peace conference looking to disarma-
ment, that Europe may not be industri-
ally paralyzed. Shall we abandon our
traditional policy to embark upon one
that kingdoms tremble to maintain?
England, isolated from the Old World
by centuries of dgrabbing, would fain
lean upon this splendid young republic as
crutch to sustain her from inevitable
decadence. The cheap sympathy that
England may have felt in our war with
Spain 1--WE have no substantial evidence
of iD, will not induce us to ally ourselves
with a power that denies home rule to
her own subjects.
Those who indulge the foolish twaddle
of 'ties of BLOOD and "a common
tongue and cry out for this alliance,
should count the cost and examine Eng
lands motive, which is not so sentiment
tai.
A decent respect for those of foreign
birth, constituting one-third of our citi-
zenship, forbids that we should ally our
selves with any foreign power.
In coming to this LAND of the free and
home Of the brave" where liberty is i'm
bibed in the atmosphere and patriotism
cultivated in the soil, they came expect
ing if necessary to fight the battles of our
country, not to he conscripted to serve
England Or any Old World power.
Should England and Russia join issue,
and Irish-Americans be drafted to go to
England's aid, by what right would we
demand their blood be spilled in quarrels
not our own, as allies to the oppressors
of their countrymen?
Should England and France clash what
a spectacle! The republic joining hands
with monarchy to subdue and perhaps
overthrow a republic. sending battalions
and ships at England's call against our
| allies of 1776 the countrymen of La
| fayette.
Should England's policy embroil us in
war with Germany, what explanation
| would we give to our hardy, Industrious,
law-abiding German citizens, when sked
to take up arms for England against the
fatherland?
Far better that we respect their wishes,
so consistent with our interest, than
hearken to the money changers who love
but the clinll of gold, or those Anglo
maniacs whose highest thought is to ape
| the customs of alien lands and sell their
daughters to degenerate foreign lords.
| If to make men free be our mission, it
cannot best be worked out by joining
our destiny with despotic powers. =
American soldiers and sailors have
just driven the treacherous, cruel and
oppressive Spaniards from their last
! foothold upon the Western hemisphere
quest does not prove the cancer to de-
stroy our system.
| We must not go hand in hand with
England upon career Of Imperialism.
Strong in the possession Of resources
which the world cannot rival; strong in
| all that goes to make a nation truly
great; strong in the love and confidence
Of 100000 freemen within our own i'm
perial domain, let us press forward upon
the old lines.
If we are but true to ourselves, MAIN
tanning upon this hemisphere a govern
ment close up to the ideals of it's found
ers. extending our commerce with all
nations, we may hope to stand as the
model for all the ages, faithfully por-
F.! traying the statue which greets the Old
World visitor entering New York har-
bor, Liberty enlightening the world"
| We need no ally We can best serve
our country and the world as
Zone flag, one land one heart, one hand,
One nation evGrmore"
| That's No Evidence.