The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-02-22
Washington,s Wisdom--R Republican
Folly.

tent10nS OF It's founders anu tuen sSoeAA5es
the publication Of Washington's Farewell
Address upon the recurrence of his birthday
and Of the publication Of the Declaration OF
Independence in July.
Following its own advice the ADVOCATE to-
dav publishes extracts from Washington's
Farewell, and asks for it close reading. II
was written more than one hundred and hive
years ago. but its advice is as patriotic and
strong and convincing today as then. 1t IS
full OF wisdom and love Of country. It has
been discarded by the Commercialists of to-
day. Its advice is spurned by those in con
troll of the government They, and those
whose only aim is the amassing of fortunes,
even at the sacrifice of life and treasure, sneer
at the patriotism and wisdom Of those who
fought and suffered that freedom might be
secured.
Very early in bis address Washington coun-
sells against the encroachments of one depart
ment Of government upon an other. Of=late
years this has been very marked. Presidents
have not been content, as required by the
Constitution, to communicate to Congress the
condition and needs of the country, but have
held secret interviews with their friends in
Congress and sought to force upon them their
decisions and policies, either by persuasion,
brides Of patronage or threats of withholding
it. They have regarded themselves as the
repository Of party wisdom, and entrusted
with the carrying out of party policy through
Congressional enactment and judicial decis-
IONS The Supreme Court was enlarged and
packed some years ago to overrule former
decision, and the whole power of Admins
trations has been used to defeat members OF
the party who did not bend to their dictates.
Washington said a very important source OF
strength and security was the cherishing OF
public credit, and one method Of preserving
it was to use it sparingly. The Republican
idea is that public debt is a public blessing,
and national banking system is founded upon
the national debt to make the debt lasting.
Observe good faith and justice toward all
nations, said Washington, for religion and
morality enjoin this conduct. Less than four
years ago an upinstifiable war was made upon
Spain-a Republican war, as Charles ID.
Grosvenor, of Ohio, the mouth-piece of the
Mckinley Administration on the floor OF the
House of Representatives, designatedit. And
In declaring war the nations of the earth we're
assured that there was no intention of terri
torial aggrandizement. President Mckinley
even went further, aud declared that forcible
annexation would be criminal aggression. In
the treaty of peace four months later the Com
mercialists demanded, and Mckinley turned
about and forced, the ceding of territory by
Spain. In discarding good faith, and the
President denying by his actions his own
words, the government was plunged in another
war.
Washington laid down a rule Of conduct
that the United States, in extending CONNER
cial relations, should have as little political
connection with other nations as possible.
The Republican party, dominated by the
Commentaries, have entered into the politics
of Europe, and but recently, under the plea
ofprotecting missionaries, joined our forces
of land and sea to those of Europe to parti-
ton China. In this the Com mercialist were
beaten, and then the "open doc" was de-
manded, which was conceded by several ma
tons who were unwilling to jeopardize the
peace of Europe by denying it, seeing that
Russia was determined to hold Manchuria.
Speaking of the security of the United States
by reason of their detached position, Wash
ington asks s'why quit our own to stand upon
foreign soil, and thus entangle our peace
and prosperity il the tolls of European ambi-
ton, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice J?
There was no reason why, except the idea of
Commercialists, who believed that extension
of territory meant an extension of commerce,
and that the possession of the dollar far out
weighed the sacrifice of human life and mil
lions of treasure necessary to secure it.
Harmony, liberal intercourse with all ma
lions, says Washington, ARE recommended by
policy, humanity and interest. But even our
commercial policy should hold an equal and
impartial hand, neither seeking nor granting
exclusive favors or preferences; diffusing and
diversifying bv gentle means the streams OF
commence, but forcing nothing"
Force nothing, said Washington, yettoday,
and for more than three years, the Republican
party has been battling to force an extension
of commerce; been engaged in war of sub
jugation of a people, whose only sin is the love
of liberty. that trade-a more or less magma
ry trade-may be extended.
sit is folly in one nation to look for disn
terested favors from another" In his wise
and patriotic address Washington said moth
ing truer When the United States were
about to engage in war upon Spain, England
sought to establish an alliance to restrain
them. Failing in this, she assumed neu-
trality that was conspicuous, and sought to
impress upon the Administration at Washing
ton, and very admirably succeeded, that she
stood as a barrier to European interference in
behalf of Spain. This was not friendship for
the United States The rather, it was done
merely to secure "hands off policy upon
the part of the greatest republic of the world
while she subjugeted the Beers and wiped out
of existence two republics in South Africa.
When England has carried out her plans in
Africa, she will be ready to assume any posi-
ton that self-interest may dictate. Having
formed an alliance with Japan, she may in
yeigle additions to the alliance, and the COM
bine may seek to hamper and restrain the ex-
tension of the commerce ofthe United States.
All Europe is Jealous of this republic. Our
form of government-we mean that govern
ment provided by the Constitutions dis
Hateful TO monarchies and empires, for the
freedom and liberty of our people is always al
Turing to the peoples of other governments,
and creates dissatisfaction and unrest. Our
invasion of Asia and expansion generally is
viewed with alarm Added to this alarm is
the strength shown by our navy in the war
with Spain, when two of the most notable
naval battles of modern times were won, lby
Democrats, Notwithstanding it was Repub-
can war1 and the great increase of our sea
power since and that contracted for. The
strength of our arms on land was another rev.
citation. American skill and ingenuity in
manufactures, the unbounded products of our
soil, and our colossal enterprises, all excite
jealousy and beget commercial resentments.
Tariff walls are being erected against us, and
these failing force by European alliance,
headed by England, is not an unlikely occur
ronoa Whom this Government departed from