Evening journal., 1920-06-10
HISTORY REPEATED.

~ rs coincidence that "Cltizen Genet that other ind
vidua who would have involved this country IN lhe
entanglemenis OF Europe was born at Versailles from
which place. i5i years later, was to issue he most re
markable document in world history containing speene
obligations for the United States 10 cast her fate thence
forth with that Of the states Of the Old World
And IA is a further coincidence that The man who In
sisted on the preservation Of American neutrality In isS
is the same leader from whose writings mas come phe
inspiration OF true Americans in these roublous times,
leadn them to aside more the proposal mat ue
nation become involved in the Affairs Of Europe
Like The true Americans Of today, George Washington
had hurled at him an the vrent attacks that the vicious
APOSTLES OF lnternauonasm could devise, but through
il all he stood lrm and eventually won over even those
who had been most critical Of his policies.
In i7p3 France was at war with Britain and look
ed 10 the United states for assistance To win our CO.
operation she sent Edmond Charles Genet to our shores
but he was unable 20 alter the determination OF Wash
ington to hold aloof from the troubles in Europe.
The President issued proclamation Of Neutrality in
April 1893 declaring that the United States would remain
friendly and impartial 10 both sides. Genet however pro
ceeded to arm and equip pryateas and enlist men for
service in France.
There was general sympathy with the French cause
throughout the country and he warmly received
Feeling against Washngton's stand TO such pitch
that democratic clubs doubtless much like The late
lamented League TO Enforce Peace organized They
proceeded 10 their newspaper organs a Of
spreading propaganda for participation in the Euro
pean war and for directing the most outrageous attacks
against President Washington for his unyedng for
Amercanism-
Finally Washington was compelled 10 demand the recall
Of Genet after which matters quieted down.
Probably George Washington had the Genet incident in
mind when was pennins those paragraphs OF the Fare
well address which is outlined The sound future foreI
policy for the United States
against the insidious wiles Of foreign influence Il con
lure You 10 believe me- elowoitzens the jealousy OF
free people ought constantly awake, since hisor
and experience prove that foreign influence OF
most baneful foes Of republican government. TIL
great rule OF conduct for regard TO foreign naton
is Ia extending commercial relations TO have Will
them as little political connection possible SO far
we have already formed engagements let them ful
filed with perfect good faith. Here let stop. Europ
has a set OF primary interests which 10 us have
a very remote relation Hence she must be engaged il
frequent controversies the causes OF which essential
" forein concerns. Hence, therefore, Il must
unwse in US to impcate ourselves by artificial ties N
ordinary combinations and collisions OF her friendship
or enndties
That was the policy that guided George Washington
when ~ saved the Nation from the ''nsdiOus wes o
foreign influence" in 1893; that The inspiration OF
Republican Senate when those wles sought ensnare
again through the league natons and that will be tn
whether they be presented in the form an Armenla
mandate in the underwriting Of German bonds or in an
the other devious ways that viii to the pottin
Of Europe should they be aided and abette
by our own President.