428 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



combined with its isolated position render it master of the situa- 

 tion and practically invulnerable as against any or all other 

 powers. 



All the advantages of this superiority are at once imperilled if 

 the principle be admitted that European powers may convert 

 American states into colonies or provinces of their own^ The 

 principle would be eagerly availed of, and every power doing so 

 would immediately acquire a base of military operations against 

 us^ What one power was permitted to do could not be denied 

 to another, and it is not inconceivable that the struggle now going 

 on for the acquisition of Africa might be transferred to South 

 America. If it were, the weaker countries would unquestionably 

 be soon absorbed, while the ultimate result might be the partition 

 of all South America between the various European powers. The 

 disastrous consequences to the United States of such a condition 

 of things are obvious. The loss of prestige, of authority, and of 

 weight in the councils of the family of nations, would be among 

 the least of them. Our only real rivals in peace as well as ene- 

 mies in war would be found located at our very doors. Thus far 

 in our history we have been spared the burdens and evils of 

 immense standing armies and all the other accessories of huge 

 warlike establishments, and the exemption has largely contributed 

 to our national greatness and wealth as well as to the happiness 

 of every citizen. Hut, with the powers of Europe permanently 

 encamped on American soil, the ideal conditions we have thus far 

 enjoyed cannot be expected to continue. We too must be armed 

 to the teeth, we too must convert the flower of our male population 

 into soldiers and sailors, and by withdrawing them from the vari- 

 ous pursuits of peaceful industry we too must practically annihilate 

 a large share of the productive energy of the nation. 



How a greater calamity than this could overtake us it is difficult 

 to see. Nor are our just apprehensions to be allayed by sugges- 

 tions of the friendliness of European powers of their good will 

 towards us of their disposition, should they be our neighbors, 

 to dwell with us in peace and harmony. The people of the United 

 States have learned in the school of experience to what extent the 

 relations of states to each other depend not upon sentiment nor 

 principle, but upon selfish interest. They will not soon forget 

 that, in their hour of distress, all their anxieties and burdens 

 were aggravated by the possibility of demonstrations against 

 their national life on the part of powers with whom they had 

 long maintained the most harmonious relations. They have yet 

 in mind that France seized upon the apparent opportunity of our 

 civil war to set up a monarchy in the adjoining state of Mexico. 



