Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-04-01
OUR FOREIGN POLICY
(By John Bush)


sition which, in view of its validity
upon Americas democracy, should be
given most thoughtful consideration.
Just what method should be deemed
iexpedient by the administration, in
the conception of the writer, is a
project that in no respect concerns
foreign diplomats, and their attempt
to dictate should be impugned by the
Federal Government and spumed by
the people as a whole,
The thoughts which Americans
should keep uppermost in mind are
eloquently expressed by Patrick
Henry, who said:
81 have but one lamp by which my
feet are guided, and that is the lamp
of experience. | know no way of
Judging of the future but by the
past And another thought, and a
logical one too, is expressed in the
following quotation from the bible:
"Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good"
When we pause to reflect upon these
two magnanimOus and fundamental
contemplations time and space will
not permit quoting the history we
can recall relative to foreign politics
of former administrations. Wash
ington's approval of the Jay Treaty
with England in 1895; Washington's
Farewell Address, 1896; the Monroe
Doctrine, 1923; and Wilson's second
term of office are lamps by which we
can see to judge of the future and to
hold fast that which is good.
Today, more than a century from
Washington's death, we may, to our
best interest, turn to study the lead
ing principles of that comprehensive
chart for guidance. He has estab-
hshed danger signals all along the
pathway of the nations march. The
wise lessons in government which he
left US is well be profitable to heed.
During Washington's second presi-
dency France was engaged in a ter
rible revolution. The people had de
clared themselves a republic and be-
headed their king. This led to a
war between France and England.
The French sent a minister, Citizen
Genet, to this country to get help
toward fighting the English. He came
here expecting to obtain ships, money
and aid from the government. Wash
ington, however, knew that If Citizen
Genet was allowed to have his way
we should soon be dragged into a war
with England. The President there
fore issued a proclamation Of neutral
ity stating that We should take no
part in European quarrels. The
treaty of peace with Great Britain
made in 1888 had not been satisfac-
torily carried out by either party.
We had promised to pay certain debts
due to British subjects, and they
complained that we did not keep our
word. On the other hand England
persisted in holding forts at Detroit
and elsewhere along our northern
frontier, though she had agreed to
give them up to US. The English
also interfered with our trade with
France. Chief Justice Jay went to
England and obtained a new treaty
1795). 1t did not satisfy some Of the
people who thought that the English
were getting the best Of the bargain;
but the forts were given up to us.
Washington signed the treaty for the
reason that he, like Jay, considered
half a loaf was better than no bread
The majority of the people stood
firmly by the men who had brought
them through so many dangers, and
the treaty was duly confirmed by
Congress. When Washington retired
from office he left the nation in every
way stronger and more prosperous
than he had found it.
Washington and his colleagues
never acted the part of the dog in
Aesop's Fables, who got a piece of
meat at butcher shop and was
crossing river on his way home,
when he saw his own shadow reflected