Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1920-03-04
UNCLE TED'S BEDTIME STORIES
Current Events for the Children and Grown
Up S, Too!

Washington and for that reason
Washington should and must live
stronger i nthe hearts of men to-
day than ever. When certain men
have tried and are still trying to
join this country in a club with
the nations of Europe so that the
very power of our own govern
ment will come second to every
other country in the world, it is
certainly time to stop and listen
to Washington's words. Listen,
now Children, while l read you
some of his own words on this
subject. Against the insidious
wiles of foreign influence the
qjealousy of a free poole ought
to constantly awake; since his
tory and experience prove that
foreign influence is one of the
most baneful foes of republican
government Those are his first
words on the subject. He says we
mustmust keep awake to the fact
that Europe is lookinf out for
herself first and that the things
she tries to do to tie us with her
are the greatest enemies of a re-
publican government. Since our
government is a republican gov
eminent he of course refers to
the United States. He goes on,
But that jealousy meaning the
jealousy of a people like ours, to
be useful, must be impartial; else
it becomes the instrument of the
very influence to be avoided, in
stead Of defense against it. EX-
cessive partially for one foreign
nation, and excessive dislike for
another, cause those whom they
actuate to see danger only on
one side, and serve to veil, and
ever second, the arts of influence
on the other.
But probably the greatest state
ment of all in this address was
the following. so far as is applies
to condition today. The great rule
of conduct for us, in regard to
foreign nations, is in extending
our commercial relations, to have
with them as little political con-
nection as possible. SO far as we
have already formed engagements
let them be fulfilled in perfect
good faith. Here let us STOP That
statement is very plain. He sim
ply says that we must not mix
international politics with our in
ternational trade. 1t is all right
and necessary to do business with
foreign nations but We must not
make alliances that would mean
tying ourselves to act when and
how they might want. That ap-
plies directly to the world club
plan.
HE knew that Europe is always
will look after her own interests
first, just as We should. That is
why she is so anxious for US tc
join the world club. 1t would
make it possible for her to use
our money and our soldiers tt
help fight her battles. o nthis
point he said, Europe has a set OF
primary interests, which to us
have no, or a very remote rela'
ton. Hence she must be engaged
in frequent controversies, the
causes of which are essentially
foreign to our concerns. Hence
therefore, it must be unwise il
US to implicate ourselves by arti
ficial ties, in the ordinary Weiss
tudes of her politics. or the or
binary combinations and collision
of her friendships or enmities.
Could more sane advice be giver
US today than these words from
George Washington? He. knew
the tricks of Europe. He knew
that then as today, Europe is 81
composed that she is always hav
ing war of one kind or another
While she has a hundred war.
that interest her we may have
none or perhaps one that inter
ests US. Why should we SO linl
ourselves with her troubles as t.
lie forced to bear her burdens
49,