The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-29

vlcissitudes q her politics or the ordi-
nary combinations and collisions Of her
friendships or enmities.
"Our detached and distant situation
invites and enables us TO pursue a diff
ferent course. II we remain one people,
under an efficient Government. the period
is not far OF when w may defy ma
terial injury from external annoyance
when we may take such an attitude az
will cause the neutrality We may at any
time resoivs upon to be s%crupulously re-
spected ; when beiiisersnt nations. under
the i%mpossibility Of making acquisitions
upon us. will not lightly hazard the
giving us provocation when No may
choose peace or war. A. our interest.
guided by justice. shall counsel.
"w-hy forego the advantages OF so
peculiar a situation! Why quit our own
to stand upon foreign Eroundf why. by
Interviewing our destiny with that Of
any part OF Europe, entangie our peace
| and prosperity in the tolls OF European
ambition. rivalship, interest, humor or
capricec
1T Is our rue policy to steer clear Of
permanent alliances with any portion
OF the foreign world, so far, ! mean. As
we are nov At liberty to do Il for let
me not be understood as capable Of
patronizing inAdelity to existing engage
ments. l hold the maxim no less APP
plicable to public than to private affairs
that honesty Ia always the best policy.
I repeat. therefore. let those engage
men,s be observed in their genuine sense.
But in my opinion 1t is unnecessary and
would be unwise to extend them.
Taking care always to keep ourselves
by suitable establishments on n respect
able defensive posture. we may safely
trust to temporary alliances for extraor-
binary emergencies"
These were the words uttered by
GEORGE WASHINGTON on September II,
1708. They embodied the results OF
his observation. experience and prac'
teal knowledge acquired In dealing
with the domestic and foreign affairs
Of a nation born In an hour wher
Europe was torn by strife. They ex
pressed not only the convictions OF
the man whose name they bear hui
the reasoned conclusions OF that bod!
Of counsellors In whose capacity an,
Judgment ne reposed his faith. ant
they have been accepted and re
enforced by the. statesmen VIII
succeeded the founders Of the nation
not on the authority Of their author
ship, convincing though that Is, bu
because they have stood the test o
; application to the needs of the Unite,
States through six Nj years II
, which the conduct recommended !,
them has been found IN be ndvan
, tageOus. If not essential to tn
country's independent development
and the preservation Of Its peace.
= This principle President Wlr.so:
. NDu!u HOW uIGtluVU uhu Sui'~'i'u'' 4
= it that participation In external pol
ties we have avoided with gratifyin
, effects on our domestic and forcig
( relations. He speaks with c"ntidenc
. VI the assurance ne feels thut 9TH
: people Of the United States woul
wish their Government to move alon
y these lines" We do not believe h
$ correctly gauges the sentiment of til
e nation he would commit to TIL
d strange adventure. The America
people does moi want to emhroil itse'
i'm the mazes of European rivalrie
s 1t wants TO cling to the sound an
n proved policy it has followed in II
past. n policy commended by its frui'
and justified completely by the occu
!. rences Of the last two years.
The American people want Z
st entnngling foreign alliances.