The Springfield herald., 1904-09-23
A NOTABLE EXCEPTION.
Richard Olney Has Not Joined the
Democratic Pesslm i.ts.


Democratic Pessimi ists.
Since Judge Parker and the Demo
cratic party have chosen to make an
issue of the aggressive and progressive
activities of the Republican party which
in the span Of one generation have plac-
ed the United States in the van of the
worlds civilization, it may be well to
recall that there is at least one Demo-
crat who has not Joined in his party's
pessimistic walls.
Richard Olney, the choice Of the
Massachusetts, Democracy for President
at st. Louis. Attorney General and Sec
retary of State during Cleveland's sec
ond term. and author Of the ringing
phrase in support Of the Monroe doctrine
To-day the United States is practical
jy sovereign on this continent, and its
fat is law upon the subjects to which
it confines its interposition," is Demo-
crat who has something stronger than
diluted ass's milk in his veins.
In an article printed in the Atlantic
Monthly for March, 1900, on the
Growth of Our Foreign Policy" Rich
ard Olney anticipated and confuted al
most every pitful plea for national stag
nation and dishonor uttered by Judge
Parker in the two instance when he has
ventured to open his 18th. Where
the Democratic candidate counsels that
the United States shall live for and
within itself alone, Mr.. Olney boldly
proclaimed that such policy had "tend-
ed to belittle the national character
and has lied to species OF provincial
ism and to narrow views of our duties
and functions as a nation"
Where Judge Parker in his unfamil-
tarity with the meaning of the phrase,
1,tN -, -
Esopus, proclaims that the United
States became a world power over a
century ago." Mr.. Olney, with broader
knowledge of the world, says that "His.
torians will probably assign the aban-
donment of the isolation policy to the
time when this country and Spain went
to war over Cuba"
Nor can there be any serious question
but Mr.. Oney is right.
And in this connection It was that
Clevelands virile Secretary of State
said, 1.-The United States has come ont
of its shell and ceased to be a hermit
among nations. naturally and properly"
lie also emphasized the necessity for
preparation to cope with larger respon-
sihlities in these terms:
1T goes without saying that the United
states state. cannot play the part In the worlds
uialrs IL mas Just assumed without equip
ping Itself for the part with all the In
strumentalities necessary to make its will
1elt. whether through pacific Intercourse
anu NEGOTIATION or through force. We cam
not assert ourselves as a power whose
,iffIests erIzs1on and sgmPathIes are as vide as
corresponding to the claim.
The equipment required for our new
international role must not be discussed
at any length. We must have 1.-THE
need will be forced upon us by facts the
logic of which will be rresistihle-and
however slow to move or indisposed to face
the facts, the national government must
sooner or later provide for It."
There was much more to the same
effect, every word ringing with sterling
and enlightened appreciation of the
American determination to meet the OBJ.
legations of our expanding national op.
portunities Without failing to recog-
nlze that the triumphs of peace are the
true objective of a republic, Mr.. Olney
grnsped the eternal truth that peace and
liberty and progress can only be insured
by full provision to maintain them by
force.
The nation which goes about with
nothing but an olive branch in its mouth
in other words. without increasing its
expenditures for coast defenses, for ships
ana guns, for men and arms-cannot e1'
pect its voice will be needed, in the
councils of nations. Every dollar the
United States is spending on its army
and navy to-day is an insurance against
war and national dishonor.