New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
THE TEACHINGS OF WASHINGTON
Had We Done Our Part Peace at Any
Price Would Not Be Thought Of
o the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: One hundred and twenty years ago
Washington in his farewell message left US
the following directions for our security,
which every American should read anew in
view of the Presidents suggestion that we
abandon our historic policy Of independence:
THE great rule of conduct for us in re-
gard 70 foreign nations is. in extending our
commercial relations, 10 have with them as
little political connection as possible. SO
far as we have already formed engagements
let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith
Here let US stop.
Europe has set Of primary interests
which TO US have none, or very remote, re-
laton. Hence she must be engaged in fire.
quent controversies the causes Of which are
essentially foreign 20 our concerns Hence
therefore. it must be unwise in US TO impli-
cate ourselves BY artificial ties in the ordi-
nary vicisstudes Of her politics or the ordi-
nary combinations and collisions of her
friendships or cnmties.
"Our detached and distant situation in
vites and enables Us to pursue a different
course II we remain one people. under an
efficient government. the period is not far
off when we may defy material injury from
external annoyance; when we may take such
an attitude as will cause the neutrality we
may at any time resolve upon to be scru-
pulousy respected; when belligerent nations.
under the impossibiity OF making acquisi-
tons upon us, will not lightly hazard the
giving US srovocation when we may choose
peace or war, as our interest. guided by JUS
tice, shall counsel
Why forego the advantages Of as peculiar
a situation? Why quit our own to stand
upon foreign ground? Why, by Interviewing
our destiny with that of any part Of Eu-
rope. entangle our peace and prosperity IN
the tolls of European ambition, riyalshiD, in
terest humor or caprice?
at is our duty to steer clear OF permanent
alliances with any portion of the foreign
world; so far, | mean. as we are now at lib
erty to do it; for let me not be understood
as capable of patronizing infdcllty 20 exist
ing engagements. | hold the maxim no less
applicable to public than to private affairs
that honesty is always the best policy.
Taking care always to keep ourselves, by
suitable establishments, on respectable de-
fensive posture. we may safely trust to tenn
rorary alliances for extraordinary emer-
gencies."
Had we. "under an efficient government
taken care always TO keep ourselves, by
suitable establishments. on respectable de-
fensive posture" we could now defy material
injury from external annoyance and hold
such an attitude as would cause our neutral
ity in the present circumstances ito be scru-
pulously respected
Had these injunctions of Washington been
scrupulously observed it would not now be
thought necessary by the President to force
upon Europe an any-pricc peace IN order to
save his face: nor to push his country INTO
the protecting arms OF bind pool OF war
taught European nations in the hope that
it may be spared thereby the legitimate con-
sequences of its own naval and military dis
;n.ocra,ion HENRY A. WISE WOOD.
New York Jan. &c, 1917.