The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-02-07
FELLOW W-CITIZENS OF THE
SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,: - In
H. .:Iok oe

N6S6Nu SENATE AND HOUSE OF
HE#SSN1N REPRESENTATIVES: - In
Gggl the midst of unprecedent-
ed political troubles, we have cause
of great gratitude to God for un-
usual good health and most abun-
dant harvests.
You will not be surprised to
learn that in the peculiar eXigen-
cies of the times, our intercourse
with foreign nations has been at
tended with profound solicitude,
chiefly turning upon our own
domestic affairs.
A disloyal portion of the Ameri-
can people have, during the whole
year, been engaged in an attempt
to divide and destroy the Union.
A nation which endures factious
domestic divisions, is exposed to
disrespect abroad; and one party, if
not both, is sure, sooner or later,
to invoke foreign Intervention.
Nations thus tempted to inter-
fere are not always able to resist the
counsels of seeming expediency
and ungenerous ambition. although
measures adopted under such in
fuences seldom fail to be unfortu-
nate and injurious to those adopt
ing them.
The disloyal citizens of the
United States, who have offered
the ruin of our country in return
for the aid and comfort which they
have invoked abroad, have received
less patronage and encouragement
than they probably expected. If it
we're just to suppose, as the insur-
gents have seemed to assume, that
foreign nations in this case, dis
carding all moral, social, and treaty
obligations, would act solely and
selfishly for the speedy restoration
of commerce, including especially,
the acquisition of cotton, those ma
tions appear, as yet, not to have
seen their way to their object more
directly or clearly through the de-
struction than through the preser-
vation of the Union. If we could
dare to believe that foreign nations
are actuated by no higher princi.
pie than this, l am quite sure a
sound argument could be made to
show them that they can reach
their aim more readily and easily
by aiding to crush this rebellion
than by giving encouragement to
it.
The principal lever relied on by
these insurgents for exciting for
eign nations to hostility against
us, as already intimated, is the en-
embarrassment of commerce. Those
nations, however, not improbably
saw from the first that it was the
Union which made as we'll our for
eign as our domestic commerce.
They can scarcely have failed to
perceive that the effort for dis
union produces the existing diff
Guilty; and that one strong nation
promises more durable peace, and
a more extensive, valuable, and re-
liable commerce, than can the same
nation broken into hostile frag-
ments. 1t is not my purpose to
review our discussions with for.
eign states, because whatever
might be their wishes or disposi-
tions, the integrity of our country,
and the stability of our govern.
ment, mainly depend not upon
them, but upon the loyalty, virtue,
patriotism, and intelligence of the
American people. The correspon-
dence itself, with the usual reser-
vations, is herewith submitted.
venture to hope it will appear that
we have practiced prudence and
liberality toward foreign powers,
averting causes of irritation, and,
with firmness, maintaining our
own rights and honor.
Since, however, it is apparent
that here, as in every other state,