Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29
ANGLO-sAXON UNION.


1t.
| Q'rom His Speech to the Birmingham
Liberal-Unionist Association May 13th.)
Now I want. according to my manner,
to submit to you plain statement OF
the situation as it appears to me. Ours
is a democratic Government, we gain all
our strength from the confidence Of the
peaple-(hear, heard and we cannot gain
strength or confidence unless we show
confidence in return, and, therefore, to
my mind, there is no longer any room for
mystery and reticence. The plain issues
and the main principles, and the parts
of the problems with which We have to
dea' might be stated in language to
be understanded of the people. and on
which 1 would take the judgment of the
people just az soon as L would take that
Of the wisest diplomatist in the world.
Since the Crimean' war, nearly fifty years
ago, the policy of this country has been
a policy of strict isolation. We have no
allies-I am afraid we have had no
friends. Oaughter) But in this way we
have avoided entangling alliances; we
have escaped many dangers, but we must
accept the disadvantages that go with
such a policy. AS long as the other
great Powers of Europe were also work
ing for their own hand and were sepa-
rately engaged. 1 think the policy we
have pursued-consistently pursued-was
undoubtedly the right policy for this
country. Hear! heard 1t was better we
should preserve our liberty Of action than
become mixed up with quarrels with
which possibly we had no concern. Clear,
heard But now, in recent years, dl1e-
rent complexion has been placed upon
the matter. All the powerful States OF
Europe have made alliances, and as long
tGiA these alliances.
long as we are envied by all and sus-
pected by all, and as long as we have in
terests which at one time or another
conflict with the interests of all, we are
liable to be confronted at any moment
with a combination Of great Powers so
powerful that not even the most not
headed politician would be able to con-
template without certain sense OF uh-
easiness. QIear. heard
What is the first duty of government
under these circumstances? / say, with
out hesitation, that the first duty is to
draw all parts OF the empire closer to-
gether-Qoud cheers)-to infuse into them
n spirit OF united and of imperial patriot
ism. (Cheers) We have not neglected
that primary duty. (Cheers) We have
pursued it steadfastly and with results
that are patent to all the world. Never
before In the history Of the British en-
nire have the ties with our great colonies
and dependencies been stronger what
is our next duty? 1t is to establish ana
to maintain bonds of permanent amity
with our kinsmen across the Atlantic.
loud cheers) There is powerful ana
a generous nation. They speak our Ian
euage. They are bred Of our race. cloud
cheers) Their laws. their literature
their standpoint upon every question Is
The same as ours. Their feeling, their
interests in the cause Of humanity, and
the peaceful developments of the worlo
are Identical with ours. Cheers) / don't
know what the future has in store for
rs. I don't know what arrangements may
be possible with, us; but this l do know
and feel, that the closer, the more cor
dial the fuller, and the more definite |
these arrangements are. with the con-
sent Of both peoples, the better 1t Will |
be for both and the world Cloud cheerso |
and 1 even go so far as to say that, |
errible as war may be, even war Itself |
would be cheaply purchased If. in
,reat and noble cause. the Stars and |
stripes and the Union Jack, should wave
ogether prolonged cheers over an
lnglo-Saxon alliance. Now. 1t is one
4 the most satisfactory results of LORD
policy (cheers) that at the
PRESENT time these two great nations
Understand each other better than they
ave ever done since more than a
century ago hear, heard they were
eparated by the blunder Of the British