The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-12-24

the lot, but none of them is to be
considered as a particularly good lit
tie child in the family of nations.
Such republics as those OF Central
America do not give the world valu-
able examples of f-government; in
fact, they give the monarchies OF
the old world something to scoff at,
and are used as illustrations of the
doctrine that free and Independent
institutions are not good for all
kinds Of people. We do not admit
the truth of this doctrine as a gem
eral principle, but It will have TO be
conceded that little, half-civilized
countries like Nicaragua, and larger
ones that could he mentioned, may
sometimes need and deserve spank
ing administered by large and
heavy, but essentially friendly hand
of a man about the size of Uncle
Sam
However, we have no present in
tention oe discussing the conduct of
Nicaragua. But the affairs of that
country suggest the whole problem
of interference By nations in the do
mestic concerns of their neighbors. It
| is only n little more than q decade
since the United States found it nee
essay, or at least advisable, to inter
fore between Spain and Cuba, with
consequences that have not been
satisfactory in all respects, although
we are constantly told that prior to
our victories in 1898 Europe did not
realize that this country was q world
power. VI Europe did not discover
that mu9h while watching the war
between the states and seeing how
ii ended, then Europe must be vey
dull of comprehension. In getting
the Philippines we made such a bad
bargain that the defenders of the an
nexation have always been driven to
assert that our reward must be
moral. not material and that we
should be thankful for the privilege
Of educating the natives and taking
care of them for a century or two,
including the opportunity of some
day fighting Japan on their account |
There is another phase Of the ques-
ton of interference by one nation in
the affairs of another that comes up |
quite frequently for discussion and |
Is never quite satisfactorily settled
When deeds such as the American
massacres are perpetrated, thousands
Of good Teople in the United States
and Great Britain clamor for interven-
tion ana want the Turkish govern
ment wiped off the face of the earth
Others have wanted to see King Leo
pold pu lished for the atrocities he
sanctioned in the Congo, and multi
tudes in Western Europe and in
America have, with righteous anger,
demanded that Russia should be
forced to cease her prosecutions of
the Jews. Why are these things not
done by the nations that claim
superior humanity and civilization?
Myriads Of benevolent people cannot
why the United States,
Great Britain, france, and Germany
are not always doing police duty
against oppression and cruelty in less
favored lands.
Many explanations have been made
and very ingenious one Is that OF
Bulwer Lytton in one of his "CaX-
toniana" essays Lord Lytton was n
successful politician as well as an
eminent literary man, and he UNDER
stood very well the principles upon
which nations must regulate their in
.crcourse He declared that in poll
lies there are two grand theories,
lne being philanthropy and the other
oatrlotism-a care for the whole hui
nan race, or a care for the whole
community to which we belong. In
he popular sentiment of the masses,
le thought the cause of fellowmen
,reates more enthusasmthan the
interests of fellow w-countrymen. Lord
.ytton admitted that aligarchies, on
he other hand, have small regard
or mankind in the concrete, but are
,apable o. great enthusiasm for
tate, instancing Sparta and Venice.
lie applies his two principles as fol-
ows: I'm communities which admit
o the masses large snare OF pom
icu pov rr, a &C Cnservative statesman
must consult that sentiment of uni
ersal philanthropy which in itself Is
oble, but not at the hazard of the
tate, which must be his first care
iasses could easily be led to a war :
gainst some absolute sovereign OPP
ressing his subjects-oligarchies IN
lllance with the sovereign might as
lst him to oppress his subjects The {
onservatve statesman of free q
ountry remains neutral, 1t is not for !.
he good Of his country to lavish a
lood and treason on the internal c
uarrels OF other countries. BY here
patriotism, he in truth ad' o
ances philanthrophy, for it Is to the ?
eneft Of all nations that each should y
ettle its own quarrels for itself. =
'atriotism is a safer principle, both ii