The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-29

lle contrary, insisted that it should
stand on its own legs, and, by so doing
learn to stand firmly on them, just as
a child learns to walk by being COM
PEELED to try to walk, not by being KEEP.
everlastirgly in leading strings" This
was Inc American, as contradisting-
ulshed from the European policy; and
Mexico today walks firmly.
instead, therefore, of finding our pre-
cedents in the experience of England
or that of any other European power.
would suggest that the true course
for this country now to pursue is ex-
actly the course we have heretofore
pursued under similar conditions. Let
us be true to our own traditions, and
FOLLOW our own presidents. Having re-
ieVeG the Spanish islands from the do
minion Of Spain, we should declare
concerning them policy of hands
OH, both on our own part and on the
part of other powers. We should say
that the independence of those islands
s guaranteed by us under the treaty
we have entered into, and then leave
hem, just as we have left Hayti, and
iust as we have left Mexico TO adop
5of themselves such form of govern
nent as the people thereof are ripe
FOE.
In the case of Mexico, and the case of
Hayti, we have not found it necessary
L
tpparent why we should find it neces-
sary to interfere with islands so much
more remote from us that Hayti and
Mexico as are the Philippines.
this matter we can thus well af-
nd to be consistent as well as logical
}ur fundamental principles, those of
ne declaration, the constitution and
he Monroe doctrine have not yet been
shown to be unsound why should we
"a in ff oh
)ur precedents are close at hand and
atisfactory-Whyl look away from them
follow those of Great Britain? Why
iced we, all of a sudden, be so very
English and so altogether French, even
borrowing their nomenclature of ''im-
perialism"? Why cannot we, too, in the
language of Burke, be content to set
our feet lin the tracks of our fore
fathers where we can neither wander
nor stumbled" The only difficulty in
the way of our doing so seems to be
that we are in such a desperate hurry
While natural influences AMI methods,
though in the great end indisputably
the wisest and best, always require
time in which to work themselves out
TO their results. Wiser than the AL
mighty in our own conceit, we think
to get there at once the there" in this
case being everlasting "tutelage." as
"
eminent, as in Mexico.
The policy heretofore pursued bv us
in such cases-the policy of "hands off,
and walk alone"-is distinctly Amer
lean; it is not European-not even
British. 1t recognizes the principles of
our declaration of independence. 1t rec
ognizes the truth that all Just govern
menus exist by the consent of the gov
erned. 1t recognizes the existence of
n
recognizes every principle and preced-
ent, whether natural or historical
Which has from the beginning lain at
| the tounaation of our American nolitv
1t does not attempt the hypocritical
contradiction in terms Of pretending ia
elevate people into a self-sustainine
CONDITION through the leading strine
process of "tutelage." 1t appeals to our
/ historical experience, applying to pre-
Mexico, and Venezuela. In dealing with
uhose cases, we did not find a great
Standing army or an enormous navy
| necessary; and. if not then. why now
Why such a difference between the
philippines and Hayti? Is Cuba larger
or nearer to us than Mexico?
When, therefore, in future they ask
US what course and policy we anti-im-
perlalsts propose, our answer should
/ pc that we propose to pursue iowa rds
the Antilles and the Philippines the
| same common-sense course and truly
American policy which were by us here.
totore pursued with such signal success
IN the cases of Hayti and Mexico. both
inhabited by people equally unit foI
government and geographicaIIy
much closer to ourselves We propose
10 guarantee them against outside med.
! ding, and, above all from "tutelage, .
| and make them, by walking, learn tc
walk alone. -
This, ! submit, is not only an answe,
to the question so frequently put r.
us, but positive policy following es-
| tabl shed precedents, and, what Is more
purely American, as distinguished from
European or British policy and pre-
cedents. -
Charles Francis Adams.
Boston, December q,