The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-09-22

- s@AaNA@A NtNA ~ go
ways to keep ourselves, by suitable
establishments, on respectfully de-
fensive posture, we may safely trast
to temporary alliances for extraor-
dinary emergencies.
Harmony, liberal intercourse
with all nations are recognized by
policy, humanity and interest. But
even our own commercial policy
should hold an equal and impartial
hand: neither seeking nor granting
exclusive favors and preferences"
By study of the full text it seems
clear that the "entang1ing all-
ances' against which Washinton
warned his countrymen was not
that of association or intercourse
near or far, ON the contrary, he ad-
vised liberal intercourse with all
nations and says that this is recog-
nized by policy, humanity and in
terest. Now will you observe that
he makes distinctive provision for
extending our commercial relations
which goes to. show that nothing.
was more out of mind with him
than to make of the United States a
hermit nation. The entangling
against which Washington really
protests is that of political connecz
ton, the duplicating ourselves by
artificial ties in vicissitudes of Eu-
ropean politics. Intervening our
destinies with that Of any part of.
Europe, seeking and granting ex-
elusive fayors and privileges; these.
were the things he adrnonished US
to avoid. We can come'to clear un-
derstanding of his meaning by re-
ferring to a latter part of his >ad-
dress, where he excuses his own
course of strict neutrality in the
war then raging between France
and England. 1t will be remem-
bered that his course in connection
with that war was very severely
criticised. Thousands of Ameri-
cans were anxious for the United
States to take sides with France.
Their sympathies were reused be-
cause. France, like ourselves, had
overthrown a monarchy and pro-
claimed a Republic. They also
felt keen hatred towards England
and would have, been glad of the
opportunity to avenge themselves
for the wrongs which England had
committed against them. In giving
his reasons for maintaining an at
titude of firm. neutrality during
these exciting times, Washington
says, near the close of his address:
with me a predominant motive
has been to endeavor to gain time
to our country to settle and mature
its yet recent institutions, and to
progress without, interruption to
that degree of Strength and consist
encywhich is necessary to give it,
humanity speaking, the command Of
its ownfortunes." .4a.t+.t- ..
p Here it is clearly expressed by
Washington himself that the policy
of isolation was to be merely tenn
porary and provisional. The dis
tinct implication is that when these
"yet recent institutions" shall bt
settled and matured and, com
manding degree of strength; anc
consistency attained, a different pol
icy might be: inaugurated. Wha
he foresaw as possibility of th'
future has now become an estab
1ished fact. Our institutions ar
settled and matured; we have pro
gressed to that degree of strength
and consistency which give ou
country, humanity speaking, tn
command of its fortunes" And
is from this point of view that W
must contemplate our future policy
The traditional policy of Our coun
try is altogether in favor of expan
sion, Our constitutional rights ar
beyond question, as ample prece
I dent is found in the earliest admin
| istration of the Democratic party
uh;cb have 'heen confirmed by M