The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-05

70 lead them 70 further measures Of
blood.
The question involved is got and
should never become political. and
even now partisans are divided as 10
the best policy 10 pursue. This. my
fellow citizens, Is as II should be. and
It is the duty OF every citizen In his
sovereign capacity 70 solve 1t accord
ing to the dictates OF his own con-
science. and predict that when 80
solved II will be consonant both with
reason and common sense.
1T may not be inappropriate on this
occasion ana In this connection 10
quote from one whose name Is on the
lips Of every public speaker today, and
whose memory Is dear TO every Ameri-
can heart.
THE immortal Washington in his
farewell address raid: THE great rule
Of conduct for Us IN regard TO foreign
nations. is. In extending our CONNER
clal relations. to have as littiS politl-
cal connection as possible 50 far as we
have already formed engagements let
them be fulfilled with perfect good
faith. Here let US stop Europe has a
set Of primary interests which to US
have none or a very remote relation.
Hence she must be engaged in FREE
quent controversies, the causes Of
which are essentially foreign to our
concern. Hence. therefore IL must be
unwlse In US TO impllcale ourselves by
artificial ties in the ordinary vicIssl-
tudes Of her politics or the ordinary
combinations and collisions Of her
friendships or enmlties.
"our detached and distant situation
invites and enables US to pursue a
different course. II we remain one peo-
PIE. under an efficient government. the
period is not far Cff when we may defy
material injury from external annoy
ance; when we may take such an atti-
tude as viii cause the neutrality we
may at any time resolve upon to be
scrupulously respected; when belliser-
ent nations. under the impc ssibilIty Of
making acquisition upon us. win not
lightly hazard the giving US provooa-
tion; when we may chose peace or war,
as our interest, guided by justice. shall
counsel.
Why forego the advantages Of so
peculiar a situation? Why quit our own
to stand upon foreign ground? Why
by Interviewing our destiny with that
Of any part Of Europe, entangle our
peace and prosperity in the tolls OF
European ambition, rivalship. interest,
humor. or caprice?"
Can 1t be that Washington, whose
vision in all that affected the welfare
Of the Republic was almost prophetic,
foresaw the time yhen Europe would
become embroiled over questions in
vOlving the dismemberment Of poor
China? When the hordes OF Russia pour
Ing down from the frozen north would
clash in the Orient with her neighbors
on the south, with France and Ger
many and Great Britain. Could he
have foreseen when he wrote his fare
well address that the irresistible con-
iiict between the higher civilization Of
Continental Europe and the effete civil
ization OF Asia must sooner or later be
on. when 1t would be we'll for America
and Americans not to quit their own TO
stand on foreign ground? In the light
Of events which have moved so rapidly
in the last decade. his words seem
prophetic. for the time is not far dis
tant. when America. in possession Of
The Philippines. must come In frequent
conflict with the powers that must
eventually sweep over and dismember
the Chinese empire.
u deem II propsr. my fellow citizens,
to call your attention to these things
while We review the rapid advances
made by our people under a form Of
government which. though it existed
more than one hundred years, is yet
but in its infancy. and to ask you If
there is anything in their condition
that calls for radical change in their
constitutions or laws? Is the question
under consideration one which is likely
to disturb our government6! equilib-
iium, and to give >Sckse: tn the high
position we have attained. and which.