The Democratic advocate., 1900-02-24
washington's Warning Words.

Thursday, the 22d, was the anniversary OF
the birth of George Washington. After hight
ing the revolution to successful conclusion
and serving nearly eight years as the flrst
President of the United States, in September,
1896. he addresseda letter to his friends ana
fellow. .citizensu declining to be considered
0amonp the number of those out OF whom
choice flor PRESIDENT is to be made, ana
took occasion to address some advice TO the
neople as to the conduct of public affairs and
gave warning of what to avoid. bis ADVICE
Is as forcible and valuable today as 1t was
over n hundred years ago. He said
aTbe great rule of conduct for us in regard 70
foreign nations is in extending our commercial re-
lations to have with them as little poanc" con-
nection as possible
The Mckinley Administration, while 1t has
not and cannot have, for the people would not
permit it. any treaty of an alliance defensive
and offensive, is very friendly TO Great Brit
tain, Both governments are engaged IN con-
a.ering foreign peoples and territory, and
there is strong fellow feeling between the
heads of the two governments.
.sEurone nsays Washington, "has set of primary
interests which to us have none or a very remose
relation Hence she must be engaged IN irequent
confroversies the causes of which are essentially
foreign TO our concerns. Hence. therefore It must
be unwse in TO mplcate ourselves py ar.cia 1.. a.
lies in the ordinary vicissudes of her politics or
the ordinary combinations and coiilsions 0i ne.
friendships or enmtles our deu.cneu n anu disar
ent course Why forego the advantages OF SO pecu-
liar situations? Why quit our own to STAND upon os
foreign ground? Why, by Intervening our ues-
tiny withthat of any part of Europe. entangle our
peace and prosperity in the tolls OF European ampi
tion, rivalship, interest or caprice
These questions are as pertinent today as IN
1896. and the Mckinley Administration must
answer in this presidential year, why it quit
our own to stand upon foreign grou nd" 1t
will have to answer, also, why it has become
so friendly and sympathetic with Great Brit
tain.
The Farewell Address continues
Harmony liberal intercourse with other Ha,
tions are recommended by policy, humanity, ana
interest But even our commercial policy should
hold an equal and impartial hand, neither seeking
nor granting exclusive favors or preferences con,
shifting the natural course of things; diffusng and
diyersifying by gentle means the streams OF COM
merce, but forcing nothing"
The Mckinley Administration will have to
answer for its use of force in thrusting our
trade upon the Philippines, and further
whether it entertains purpose to secure ter
ritory and footbold in China.
The expansionists and advocates of branch
ing out as a world military and naval power
regard the Declaration of Independence as
dead, the Monroe Doctrine as obsolete, the
Constitution as untitled as as charter and
the advice of Washington as out of date, but
they will find in November next the people
hold no such opinions. The trusts and mon
opolies have no scruples in sacrificing the
lives of American youth so trade can be ex-
panded; have no compunctions about the
shedding of American blood and the expen-
diture of money so the almighty dollar can be
made. but the widows and orphans do, the
fathers and brothers do, and the tax x-payers do.
Expansion and militarism will be the lead
ing questions in the next campaign. The
money question is a domestic one and can be
regulated by an act of Congress at any time.
The other questions are far reaching and at
feet the whole system of government. We
are at the parting of the ways-a republic,
attending TO our own affairs with no entang-
ling alliances, or an imperial power and con-
tinual foreign controversies, to disturb our
peace, trade and commerce.