Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-16
Parallel for Present Crisis

How closly the present international situa-
ton pareels the events which led up to our war
with Great Britain in 1872 is shown by the mes
sages and papers Of President James Madison.
Then, as now, the United States had been pre-
serving "scrupulous neutrality in a European
war; then, also, foreign nation was interfering
with American commerce by means contrary TO
universal reason and acknowledged law" then,
also there was a period when "a favorable
change in policy was established by the country
which had been trespassing upon our rights and,
finally afteE three years, during which the United
States had "in vain exhausted remonstrances and
expostuatons" came period when we 6ehoid
on one side a state of against the United
States and on the side of the United States
state of peace" toward the other country.
The phrases quoted are all from President
Madson's papers, dating from his first inaugural
address on March 4, 1902 to his message to con-
gress on June |, 1872, eighteen days before the
United States declared war on Great Britain. In
the last message, President Madison put It up 70
congress whether the United States shall con-
tinue passive, or oppose force to force, avoiding
all connections which might entangle it in the
contest or views of other powers"
THE present situation OF the world is without
parallel" President Madison said in his first
inaugural address, land that OF our own country
is full of difficulties. The pressure OF these, too
IS the more severely felt because they have fallen
upon us at moment when, the national prosper
ity being at height not before attained the con
trast resulting from the change has been rend-
cred the more striking" Peace had been main
tanned with all nations" he continued, while
so many Of them had been engaged in bloody
and wasteful wars" and this country had earned
the respect of both sides by most scrupulous
importantly" Recently" however, President
Madison said, the be11igerents, in their rage
against each other, introduced principles of re-
taliation contrary to universal reason and ack-
nowiedged law"
By May, 1909, there had been "a favorable
change in our foreign relations reported IN a
special message. The British minister had Of
fered satisfaction for the attack on the frigate
Chesapeake and had withdrawn its "orders in
council" which action allowed our neutral trade
to be reopened.
Great Britain refused, however to abide by
the action OF its minister, and in his first annual
message, November %, 1909, President Madison
reported with deep concern that the favorable
prospect has been overclouded' because of this
refusal
Before the end of the next year France had
revoked its acts violating the neutral commerce
OF the United States but in his second annual
message, President Madison reported that there
had been no communication the subject from
Great Britain The abuses continued, so that in
his third annual message President Madison said:
Instead of a reasonable step toward satisfaction
and friendship the orders had been put into more
vigorous execution" Among the occurrences he
d
and an American frigate begun without cause by
FIRE from the former, whose commander is alone
chargeable with the blood unfortunately shed in
maintaining the honor of the American flag"
So serious had the situation become by Jam
nary 10, 1872, that the president sent a message
to congress saying that 'the continued evidence
of hostile policy against our national rights
strengthens the considerations for recommending
and using the preparation OF adequate means for
maintaining our rights. On April of the same
year the president recommended a general en-
barge for SIXTY days.
President Madsons message eighteen days
before war was declared communicated to con-
gress certain documents on the subject Of this
| nations relations with Great Britain. British
| cruisers" he said have been in the continued
| practice of violating the American flag on the
great highway of nations, and of Selling and
carrying off persons sailing under it. Thousands
| OF American citizens have been torn from their
country and have risked their lives in the battles
| of their oppressors s-t =.
| Britain would be so prompt to avenge IT COM
nitted against itself, the United States have, in
| vain, exhausted remonstrances and expostulations
British cruisers have been in the practice
of violating the rights and the peace of our coasts
To their most insulting pretensions they have
| added the most lawless proceedings in our very
harbors and have actually spilled American blood
within the sanction of our territorial jurisdiction
When called upon to punish ofenses the govern
! ment has bestowed upon their commanders addi-
| tiona marks of honor and confidence.
Under pretended blockades without the pres
| ence Of adequate force, and sometimes without
the practicability Of applying one our commerce.
has been cut off from legitimate markets
| Anxious to make every experiment short of The
last resort of injured nations the United States
have withheld from Great Britain the benefits
| of free intercourse with their markets.
| y There was period when a favorable change
| in the policy Of Great Britain was justly consid-
] cred as established.
/ We behold now, IN fine, on the side Of Grea,
| Britain state OF war against the United States
and on the side of the United States a state o.
peace toward Great Britain"
France, like Great Britain, President Madison
pointed out in one of his messages, had pro
claimed general blockade of the British Isles
lat time when the naval force of that countr,
dared not issue from its ports The French
government had revoked this blockade order
| however. .-