The record-union., 1899-09-10
WASHINGTON'S ADDRESS AND
THE PHILIPPINES

Since Washington's farewell address
is so much cited in these days to forti-
fy any position the opponents of the
Administration choose to take, Presi-
dent r. e. Jones of Hobart College has
suggested in the Forum" for Sep
tember. that more than half of those
who speak Of that paper as the palla-
dunn of our liberties have not read it,
or do not understand it. He has, there
fore-waiving the suggestion that the
press might do well to print it in full
TO show how much it is misquoted and
misrepresented-ma an analysis of
the address.
He finds it to consist Of a strong plea
for national unity; a warning against
The pernicious effects of party spirit;
advocacy Of the essentials of political
prosperity; treatment Of the relations
OF the United States with foreign gov
ernments; and finally leave taking of
the responsibilities Of. public office.
Concerning that which is now most
considered. our relations with foreign
powers, President Jones devotes much
attention Washington enjoined good
faith and justice upon US towards all
nations, and warned us against the Sc
ductions. which attach a small or weak
power to a great one, and make the
former the satellite of the latter. We
are to be jealous of foreign influence
and in extending our commercial rela-
tions we should have them with as lit
tie political connection as is possible.
We should steer clear of permanent"
alliances with foreign powers, and our
commercial policy hold an equal and
impartial hand Washington points
out the predominant weakness of our
natures, the strong passions of the
human mind, and utters a warning
against the tendencies to which such
influences incline US. We are not to
vaunt ourselves and boast vainly, and
are to be suspicious of the insidious
wiles Of foreign influence. The argu-
ment of Washington had at that time
in clear view the pending war be-
tween England and France, while the
war Of the revolution was still fresh in
his memory.
Our relations with England bore
still some soreness, and were not free
from contention and feeling. Our men
had been impressed upon British ships;
Indian tribes had been stimulated by
the British to resist US; our commerce
was harassed and our national exist
ence endangered. He probably fore
saw what did occur another war with
England but for which we were not
then ready. But he realized that our
interests and those Of the mother coun-
try were largely in common, and must
grow into greater harmony, and he
feared the tendency then manifest
to throw ourselves into the arms OF
France and the formation of a perma-
nent alliance with that nation.
Peace was necessary at almost any
price TO the consolidation of our
strength, and France he we'll knew
was. Republican but in name. He
therefore urged caution. warned us
against certain alliances. and discour-
aged resentment and i'll will which
prompts to war. and that passionate
attachment Of one nation for another
which leads to "a variety of evils"
Washingtons argument. urges PRO
fessor Jones, was specific, had direct
purpose, and its objects were then il
fun view in the relations we had and
might have with England. France and
Spain, and numerous quotations from
the address are made to justify that
position. 1t is also made clear that
Washington foresaw the growth of the
United states, and the attainment OF
a stage Of prominence when other ma
tions will not lightly hazard the Civ
ing us provocation," and when we
might choose peace or war. as oul
interest, guided by justice, shall eoun.
sell"
Washington's thought was to keep the
American nation out of alliance will
either of the two great camps into
which the world was dividing. We