New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-08
FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC POLIIicS

pOprIcV pOIICy AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
II is an evil thing. men say, TO manipulate the
foreign policy of a nation for the sake OF erect
unon domestic politics. Let II he grah'eu. II
* an evil thing. and thing nol uhkho"h
Common repute has il that more than one Euro
pcan Government in recent years mas rrsoT'eu
TO il. sometimes with at least temporary sue
cess 4 foreign war scare may allay doiii"s'"
disaffection, rouse enthusiasm for the fath'r-
land and enable the Government 10 get much
desired vote through Parliament or to carry
the general elections. one ruler. LOUIS Ma
uolnon more than once used this device III IFS
fullest extent. not only raising war scare, but
Actually going to war, the last time with effect
unon domestic politics not at all according TO
his expectations or 10 his liking an example
not calculated greatly to encourage the others
So far as the United States is concerned. how
eyer there is no record nor sane suspicion OF
any such game having been Tried. nj least III
the present generation. Our interest IN the
subject might therefore be- reckoned to be
purely academic.
What is far more than academic however
what is actual and practical and openly pro-
claimed with n cynicsm that ought TO be in
crcdihlc IS the exact reverse That is. the
nominating of domestic politics for the pur-
nose of affecting adversely the foreign policy
Of the Nation That is exactly what i to-day
boing attempted. 1t has been publicly argued
all over the land for weeks past that men ought
to vote for such q ticket or such a candidate in
order TO emharrass the Government in its ncgo-
tiations with foreign Powers Men have been
urged 10 adopt certain line of action in do
nestle politics for the express purposes OF de-
fcating If possible the United States Govern
mont I'm its settlement Of the issues of the late
war and Of giving the victory to Spain. Men
are even urged To do this nj the expense of
violating their principles in domestic affairs.
Believers in honest money, for example, are
urged to vote for frce-silver candidates. a
TO weaken the prestige Of the National Admin
stration in The eyes Of other nations and to
clva Spain the victory over the United States IN
settling the terms OF peace.
II is an abomInablc thing Ii Is immcasura-
hy worse than the converse OF il. of which.
we have said the United States has not in this
generation been guilty. 1t is the more delcsta-
| bic because II involves fiat reputation of the
doors own prOfcSSed policy. We all remem-
Der how hotfootcd for war Democrats were
| seven or eight months ago and how. when en-
| thusasm over It was II lis height they strovc
| 10 claim the credit of it, saying in the words Of
| one of their favorite Spokesman. This is our
war; we dragged you into il 10y the Scruff of
the neck And now they would rcpudiate
and dsown ii. and try 10 nullify It's results.
! Well that Is moi. after ALL 80 inconsistent with
| their record Before This they have been In
! favor of the law bur against its enforcement"
| SO now they in favor of the war. but
against the fruits Of victory. We may say not
unjusiiy. they are against victory There was
| al the outset a grave suspicion that they sought
/ 10 drive the Government into war before IL was
| prepared for IT, in order that our arms might
meet with disaster and the Government thus
/ he discredtcd. That suspicion Is now largely
/ confirmed 10y their unconccacd and ndisputa-
/ BILE attempts 10 prevent the Government from
/ securing the legitimate fruits OF the war and
/ thus TO fasten upon It the reproach VI having