The Washington times., 1920-02-12
This Is the Prize
Winning Essay
Abraham Lincoln's Foreign Policy.
BY HENRY l.. WALKER.

Abraham Lincoln is remembered one Of our greatest
many lines of human sndsavOr but as statesman he was
Preemnent Every hmeean knows f a0 E00" SxsSer and
plotting nation through its great internal crisis But his
diplomacy handling the foreign affairs Of the country at
full and worthy Of emulation by leaders ali times
m LIN Of S oS %s.r. me sa9n to their fellows
they are-strPped of the renements and artheiaes
Sory hi tells Of no hrewde2 judge of
Lincoln had but little advanced education" and while
sss ss S sd cns
b.s and s nsS Gd S Rs
great Of Europe Such his meager equipment
The war Of T 1872 was long past
healed and there strong British sympathy growing
toward France and other nations Of other side When
the North took the step OF war these
the sea- would cooperate with us in the great struggle for
In the early months of the rumor was rife in the
North that England and France contemplated aiding But
Of h foreign eOan Snd accordingly
He quietly had the England and Canadian border
Esry ynf dark me for the Union cause at
ttude England disturbed economically because the
era blockade Southern cotton, began an active cam
which ran the blockade and carried sorey needed prov
sions and to the Confederates receiving in return
President Lincoln demonstrated but was answered in
curt fashion Ah ha he said to have exclaimed "the
Then occurred the Trent incident" Jealous Union
captain took British ship two Confederate
commissioners who going Europe stir trouble
With his usual Lincoln ordered their release hoping
show his frendlness to England She temporarily
pacaed Lincoln of victorious in his first diplomatic
battle.
following fall, England alarmed at the indus
trial she faced transported fully equipped of
$4,000 to Canada These concentrated the
border ready England rejoced at her opportunity
humble her old opponent Little did she reckon with
Chief Magisrate With his characteristic rmness he
dered embargo all foodsts exported from the United
States Now the British army stranded! Canada
and ice bound and the lived food. Within
a month the army withdrawn, a great menace to
safety removed and another of Lncon victories achieved
Meanwhile France had seized her opportunity to dsre
gard Monroe doctrine and had seated Macmillan King
of Mexico oyyturnng the republican government There
Lincoln wrote to the French prime minister and argued
convinngy that Frances gid withdrawn from Maxi
milan, leaving him to perish later Thus Lin
troubled by the powers who perceived that the
United States meant to defend herself vigorously
These three diplomatic acts each brilliantly displayed
the Presidents craftsmanship His gentle the Trent
affair the British public that the hostile ministry
rendered poweress to do harm. His frmness and
moral Drawing the Indignation of the British
public amply repaid by the removal of the menacing
British army.
His persuasive power better shown than in
the MaXimilan incident. Had it not been for Lncons
craftsmanship in these three crises foreign encroachmen
American sovereignty would have been certain
At this day it will be we'll for all to remember the les
that Lincoln taughtove neghbors
but don't trust them They protest friendship when they
dealt with them determnedy-and with gloves on they
hoxSan Of cho nnoI- do oAo hoI