The Penn's Grove record., 1923-10-05

useful, must be impartial; else it be-
comes the instrument of the very in
1uence to be avoided, instead of a de-
fense against it.-Excessive partiality
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 even
second the arts of influence on the
other. Real patriots, who may resist
the intrigues of the favorite, are liable
to become suspected and odious; while
its tools and dupes usurp the applause
and confidence of the people, to sur
render their interests.
"The great rule of conduct for us in
regard to foreign nations. is in eX-
tending 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 with perfect good faith
Here let us stop.
Europe has a set of primary inter-
ests, which to us have none, or a very
remote relation: Hence she must be
engaged in frequent controversies, the
causes of which are essentially foreign
to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it
must be unwise in US to implicate our
selves, by artificial ties, in the ordi-
nary vicissitudes of her politics, or the
ordinary combinations and collisions of
her friendships or enmities.
"Our detached and distant situation
invites and enables US to pursue diff
ferent course. If we remain one peo-
pie, under an efficient government, the
period is not far off, when we may
defy material injury from external an
noyance; when we may take such an
attitude as will cause the neutrality,
we may at any time resolve upon, to
be scrupulously respected; when belig-
erent nations, under the impossibility
of making acquisitions upon US, will
not lightly hazard the giving us
provocation; when we may choose
peace or war, as our interest, guided
by justice, shall counsel.
"Why forego the advantages of so
peculiar a situation? Why quit our
own, to stand upon foreign ground? =?
Why, by Intervening our destiny
with that of any part of Europe, en-
tangle our peace and prosperity in the
tolls of European ambition, rivalship
interest, humour, or caprice?
"'Tis our true policy to steer clear
of permanent alliances, with any por-
tion of the foreign world; so far, l
mean, as we are now at liberty to do
| it; for let me not be understood as
capable of patronizing infidelity to eX-
isting engagements. | hold the maxim
no less applicable to public than to
private affairs, that honesty is always
the best of policy. l repeat it, there
fore, let those engagements be OBJ
served in their genuine sense. But, In
my opinion, it is unnecessary and
would be unwise to extend them.
an taking care always to keep our
selves, by suitable establishments, In
respectable defensive posture, we
may safely trust to temporary alll-
ances for extraordinary emergencies.
Harmony, liberal intercourse with
all nations, are recommended by
policy, humanity, and interest. But
/ even our commercial policy, should
hold an equal and impartial hand;
neither seeking nor granting eXclu-
sive favors or preferences; consulting
! the natural course of things; dlffuslne
and diversifying by gentle means the
streams of commerce, but forcing
nothing; establishing, with powers so
disposed, in order to give trade a
/ stable course, to define the rights OF
our merchants, and to enable the
government to support them, conven-
tional rules of intercourse, the best
that present circumstances and mu-
tual opinion will permit, but tempor-
ary, and liable to be from time to
time abandoned or varied, as expert
ences and circumstances shall dlstate;
constantly keeping in view, that us
folly in one nation to look for dlsln-
terested favors from another; that 1t
must pay with a portion of its inde-
pendence for whatever it may accept
under that character; that, by sucn
having given equivalents Tor normal
favors, and yet of being reproached
with ingratitude for not giving more.
There can be no greater error than TO
expect or calculate upon real tavors
from nation to nation. Ills an lilu-
sion which experience must cure, Which
it just pride ought to discard.
ain offering to you, my countryiheh'
these counsels of an old an affectlonate
friend, dare not hope they will make
the strong and lasting impression L
could wish; that they will control the
usual current of the passions; or pre-
vent our nation from running the course
which has hitherto marked the des-
tiny of nations! but, if I may even
fatter myself, that they may be pro-
ductive of some partial benefit, some
occasional good; that they may now now
and then recur to moderate the fury
of party spirit; to warn against the
mischiefs of foreign intriguess; to
Guard against the impostures of pre-
tended patriotism; this hope will be a
full recompense for the soliccitude for
your welfare, by which they have been
dictated.
"How far, in the discharge of my
official duties, I have been guided, by
the principles which have been DEL dell,
neated, the public records and other
evidences of my conduct witness to
you and to the world. To myself, the
assurance of my own conscience is, that
l have, at least, believed myself to be
guided by them.
an relation to the still subsisting
war in Europe, my proclamation OF