Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-03-01

80
patriotic, from washingtoh's farewell
address on that very point:


Against the insidous wiles Of foreign influence
eoniure you to believe me, fellow citizens the
Jealousy Of free people ought to be constantly
awake, since history and experience prove that
foreign influence is of the most painful foes to
republican government But that Jealousy, to
be useful, must be impartial else 1t becomes the
instrument Of the very influence to be avoided In
stead Of defense against it. Excessive partiality
for one foreign nation and excessive dislike Of
another cause those whom they actuats to see
danger only on one side and serve TO veil and
even second the arts Of influence on the other.
Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues Of the
fAvorite, are liable to become suspected and
odious, while the tools and dnpes usurp the ap-
plause and confidence Of the people to surrender
their interests.
The great rule OF conduct for Us in regard to
foreign nations is in extending our commercial
relations; to have With them as little political
connections as possible. So far as we have al
ready formed engagements let them be fulfilled
with perfect good faith- Here let US stop
Europe has set of primary interests which to
ue have none, or very remote, relation; hence
she must be engaged In frequent controversies
the causes Of which essentially foreign to our
concern; hence, therefore, it must be unwfsa In
us to implcate ourselves by artificial ties In the
ordinary Yicissitudes OF her politics or the ordi.
nary combinations and collisions Of her friend
ships or enmities
Our detached and distant situation invites and
enables us to pursue different course. Il we re-
main one people, under an efficient government
the period is not far of when we may defy ma
terial injury from external annoyance; when we
may take such attitude as viii cause the neu.
trality we may at any time resolve upon 70 be
serupulously respected; when belligerent nations.
under the impossibility of making acquisitions
upon US, viii not lightly hazard the giving u
pfoyocation; when We may choose peace or war
as our interests, guided by justice. shall counsel
Why forego the advantages Of so peculiar sit
uationf Why quit our own to stand upon foreign
ground2 Why, by Intervening our destiny with
that Of any other part of Europe entangle our
peace and prosperity in the tolls OF European am
bition. riyalship, interest, humor or pathos9
It's our true policy to steer clear Of permanent
alliances with any portion Of the foreign world
30 far, mean, as we are at liberty to do it.
for let not be understood as capable Of patron
izing inhdelity to existing engagements. q hold
the maxim less applicable to public than to
private affairs that honesty is alwyas the best
policy) | repeat it, therefore, that those en-
gagements be observed in genuine sense. But,
in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be un-
wise to extend them
Taking care always to keep ourselves by suit
able establishments on a respectfully defensive
posture, may safely trust to temporary ALI
ances for extraordinary emergencies.
AS in the heat Of campaign It Is
frequently difficult to find a thing
wanted very much, l advise readers
Of these letters to cut out those words
of Washington and paste them in their
hats In order to have them handy.
The Democratic national convention
goes to imperial Missouri, where it
properly belongs. for be it remembered
that Missouri is the most puissant and
populous state which at all times and
under all circumstances gives her cleo
toral vote to the Democratic presiden-
tial candidate.
Kansas City. the young giantess Of
the Kaw, will in July have a most dis
tinguished gathering of strangers with
in her gates, and she win entertain
them in royal style. Kansas City is
the ideal place for a Democratic ma
ti0nal convention. Holding 1t there
makes sure the II electoral votes Of
Kansas and will do good in many 9TH
er ways.