The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-16
SUNDAY. JULY l6, 1899.
!, rrM,UKABLE PROPHECY.

In 1913. while the whole country was
stirred by a sense of its growing great
ness and power. the acquisition of can
fornia and the settlement Of oregon sud-
denly transformed lt into great conii
mental nation bounded by the two oceans,
and the minds of the thoughtful uncon-
seiously turned towards the foreign policy
Of the United States that must Dee of nee
cesslty so greatly changed by the changed
conditions. William Henry Trescot. of
Charleston. al this time published O. little
book called "A Few Thoughts ON the
Foreign Policy OF the United states.
and this book We find reviewed in The
Southern Literary Messenger for January
1850.
The reviewer begins by saying that
"those who desire us TO reject the policy
dictated to ms By our present circum-
stances and the example of wise nations
in all ages I'm order to follow another
adapted To a different and past condition
of things. which they are fond of cone
sidering perfect. viii here hold up TO us
the warning Of Washington's Farewell
Address We might reply 90 Them as
Mr.. Trescot does. by showing how diff
fcrent were our circumstances then from
what they are now. But we go further
We maintain that the very advice sane
lions. and contains the germ of the sys-
sem We advocate. The principle of Wash
ington has led AS on step hoy step to our
present position, It is responsible for the
cxigoncics of that position and the RENE
dies they necessitate. Louisiana threat
ened to cutangle ms I'm foreign connec-
tions. The purchase of that country and
Florida freed us from the necessity of
involving ourselves in amy such Difficult
ties The independence of Spanish Anne
rica was an additional security 90 us
against any attempt of European powers
TO connect MS with their peculiar system
and force us for our security Co iorm close
alliances with some of the parties TO it.
According to the declarations of presi-
dent Tyler the European powers design
ed using Texas and Mexico ass am entering
wedge FOR the extension of their system
10 America. or. in the words of Guizot
for the creation OF an American balance
of power The Monroe declapuon had
20 be repeated. and even extended in Lett
ter though not in spirit Tctas was an-
nexed. California conquered. Mexico hum
ble6 the European system was driven
back within its natural limits, and the
United states again left free to follow
the maxims OF Washington
The reviewer then goes on 90 examine
the opinions Of Mr.. Trescot ON the ne-
cesslty OF the United States interesting
itself In the Foreign Balance of power
This relation IS discussed rather from
the standpoint Of trade than of political
necessity. and 70 s. startling 20 view the
predictions then made ia the light OF
their present fulalmcnt Mr. Trescot be-
lieved that the interest of both England
and the United States lie "in the extern
sion, and. n possible, in The monopoly Of
the Aslatic trade" He believes that re,a-
lions such as exist between England and
India could not be established between
England and China and Japan because
the United States has too great an inter
est TO permit any such monopoly, though
they themselves could not aspire 20 pos
sess those countries or military posts I'm
or near them, as means Of commercial
protection. "since 10 do so with them Is
constitutional impossibrlty'
This the reviewer strongly dissents
from. saying Il Is now a settled constitu-
tlonal right OF the United States
to acquire territory nor is there
any constitutional provision compelling
the admission OF any such territory into
the United States on an equal footing
with the original States.
The question OF the form OF government
10 be given 10 the territory which the
United States may purchase. Is left un-
touched by the Constitution, rcpubl.
can form OF government is secured 20
each State. not 20 every dependency Of the
Union" The Sultan Of Bornco might DO
our vassal the rival claimants OF Chi
nsso throne De suppiiants at the door