Amador ledger., 1900-08-10
THE POWER OF WORLDS oPIN-
ION.

Clear headed economists have long
since agreed that our government is by
public opinion, that there is power in
the convictions of the people that nei-
ther combinations of politicians nor ag-
gregations of capital dare to override
for any considerable period Of time.
There is a power in public sentiment
that has its way in due process of time.
1t may be trif1e slow in realizing its
aim, but its final authority is not seri-
ously questioned.
But not all see as clearly that there is
world opinion as certainly as there is
public opinion and that it has its way
In affairs affecting the whole world as
certainly as public opinion finally has
its way in domestic affairs, but such is
the fact. There is a power in world
opinion that exerts restraining inf1u-
ence upon all that nations do.
For this reason it has ever been the
policy of nations to issue manifestos
Justifying their wars or international
policies of any sort and 1t is very sell
dom that policy affecting the world at
large is entered upon that does not COM
mand the sanction of at least a respect
able following among the nations.
And it is this world opinion crystal
lied into International law that has
modified in many ways the policy of the
Republican administration at Washing
ton. The unknowing do not see this
because the public Is not and can not be
taken into the confidence of the ad-
ministration while negotiations are
pending, but only after they have been
consummated and an historical per-
spective has been afforded to the Incl
dent.
Behind the diplomatic serene a world
OF work was going on that those out
side knew little of but could only sur
mise, and if sometimes the public felt
that there was needless delay at Wash.
ington it was because the public could
not see what was going on at Washing
ton and why the moment for action had
not come. The presidents action was
Influenced by world opinion when poll
ticians and newspapers were concerning
themselves with what appeared to be
the opinion of the public about them.
1t is because the United States wants
the friendship of all the world that
there must be a prudent, polite man
in the presidential Office and not an en-
thusiast who entertains the idea that
because the United States is, to GER
tain degree, off by itself it can do what
it wishes without regard to the senti-
ment of other nations.
This world is fast becoming cooper
ative, and yet competitive, family of
nations, each member of which must
consult the others in regard to what
ever it does that affects in any way the
rights or privileges of other nations or
their subjects. No nation can any long
er live to itself alone.
With entangling alliances we may
we'll dispense, but we can not disregard
the comfy of nations without incurring
the enmity of nations and to incur the
enmity of nations is to suffer in COM
merce, in influence, in industrial life
and in thousand ways that would tend
to make conflicts frequent and security
uncertain.
Only Washington and Lincoln have
been called upon to handle diplomacy
with SO much circumspection as Will
liam Mckinley and the mastery man.
ner in which he, and his advisers, have
dealt with the other nations of the
world has challenged the admiration of
the world
The wise course is, therefore, to keep
him right where he is until the Asiatic
entanglements have all been straight
ened out and the commercial status of
the United States with relation to trans
pacific commerce has become definitely
assured