Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-06

enzen Il WOOdman, Matters
Chicago; 225 Fifth Ave. New ~ ioiA
WAshINGToN's FAREWELL.
July 4 marks the anniversary of the
birth Of the greatest republic the world
has ever seen. July 4 and George
washington.the father Of his country
are inseparably linked together, for
1t was waspington's generalship' forti,
tude, patriotism and statesmansnlp
that more than anything else enabled
this country to enforce and enjoy its
declaration of independence. Wash
ington was wonderful mana far
seain~ statesman and patriot who gave
counsel to his country that is as valu-
..,. +odav as It was a hundred and
fifty years ago. Especially appro-
pirate is his discourse and warning IN
his farewell address about the relation
ship that should exist between the
Tinted States Of America and the
countries of Europe. Because this
country right now faces grave compli-
cations as a result Of the great and
bloody struggle that is devastating
Europe. Americans of today can we'll
afford to look back and be guided by
what George Washington said in his
last message to the American people
upon the occasion of his voluntary re-
lincuishment of the highest Office in
the gift of the people, which he had
held with great honor for eight years.
Following is portion of that mes
sage:
:" = Europe has set of primary
interests, which to us have none, or
a very remote relation. Hence she
must be engaged in frequent contro-
versies, the causes of which are essen
TALLY foreign to our concerns. Hence,
therefore, it must be unwise in us to
implicate ourselves, by artificial ties,
in the ordinary vicissitudes of her
politics, or the ordinary combinations
and collisions of her friendships or
enmiti0s.
Our detached and distant situation
invites and enables us to pursue diff
ferent course. II we remain one peo-
pie, under an efficient government,
the period is not far off when we may
defy material injury from external an
noyance; when we may take such an
attitude as will cause the neutrality,
we may at any time resolve upon, to
be scrupulously respected; when bel
ligerent nations, under the impossible
ity of making acquisitions upon us, will
not lightly hazard the giving us pro-
vocation; when we may choose peace
or war, as our interest, guided by
justice, shall counsel.
Why, forego the advantages of so
peculiar situation? Why quit our
own to. stand upon foreign ground?
Why, by Intervening our destiny with
that of any part of Europe, entangle
our peace and prosperity in the tolls
of European ambition, nvalship, inter-
est. humor or caprice?
It Is our true policy to steer clear of
permanent alliances with any portion
OF tho foreign world; 80 far mean, as
we are now at liberty to do 1t; for let
mo not be understood as capable Of
patronizing 1nfldelity to existing en-
gagements. hold the maxim no less
applicable to public than the private
affairs, that honesty is always the best
policy. repeat 1t, therefore, let those
engaaements be observed in their
genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it
is unnecessary and would be unwise to
extend them.
Taking care always to keep our.
selves, by suitable establishments, on
a respectable defensive posture, we
may safely trust to temporary alliances
for extraordinary emergencies.
Harmony, liberal intercourse with all
nations, 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; consulting the natural
course Of things; diffusing and diversi-
flying by gentle means the streams Of
commerce, but forcing nothing; estab.
fishing with powers SO disposed, in or
der to give trade a stable course, to
define the rights of our merchants, and
to enable the government to support
them, conventional rules of intercourse
the best that present circumstances
and mutual opinion will permit, but
temporary, and liable to be from time
to time abandoned or varied, as ex-
nerience and circumstances shall
dictate.
Constantly keeping in view, that 1t
lis folly in one nation to look for dis
interested favors from another; that
it must pay with a portion of it's in
dependence for whatever 1t may &C
cept under that character; that, by
such acceptance, it may place IT.
self In the condition of having given