Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 251, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1920 — AU. PRESIDENTS REFUTE GOV. COX [ARTICLE]

AU. PRESIDENTS REFUTE GOV. COX

EACH OPPOSED TO FORMATION OF ENTANGLING ALLIANCES WITH EUROPE. That America should remain free from such entangling alliances with European powers as expressed in the Wilson-British League of Nations covenant is declared over and over again by all presidents of the United States from the time of Washington. Following is a refutation by each of them of the advocacy by Governor Cox of the League without reservation and an endorsement of the declaration by Sector Harding that he will stand for America first and turn his back upon the covenant: George Washington, Sept. 9, 1796. “Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence . . the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. The great rule of conduct is in extending commercial relations to have' with them as little political connectZou as possible. ~ . • Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none or very remote relation.” John Adam*. Ma/ 16, 1797 - “Although it is iery true that we ought not to involve ourselves in the political system sM Epnroe but to keep ourselves always distinct and separate from it. . . . yet continual information .. Z . is necessary in order to the discovery of the efforts made to draw us into the vortex.” Thomas Jefferson, Oct. 17, 1803. “Equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state of persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none. How desirable then must it be in a government like ours to see its citizens adopt . . . the conduct which their country should pursue, divesting themselves of those passions and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous scene of Europe.” James Madison, Mar. 4, 1809. “To chefish’peace and friendly intercourse with all nations having correspondent disposition. to foster a spirit'of independence. ... to exclude foreign intrigues and foreign partialities, so degrading to all Countries and so baneful to free opes. . . . as for as sentiments and intentions can aid the fuUfillment of my duty, they will be a resource which can not fail me.”

James Monroe, Dec. 2, 1823. “OUr policy in ’ regard to Europe . . . remains the same, which is not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers. . . . We consider any attempt on their part to extend their system on any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.” Mir. Monroe is also best known by the complete “Monroe Doctrine.” , John Quincy Adams, Mar. 15, 1826. “Mindful of the advice given by the father of our country in his farewell address, that the rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending pur commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. Disclaiming alike all right and all intention of interfering in those concerns * * *of their prosperity.” Andrew Jackson, Dec. 4, 1832 “The uniform policy and practice of the United States is to avoid all interference in disputes which relate to the internal government of other nations. Our best wishes on all occasions, and our good offices when .required, will be afforded to promote the domestic tranqiiility and foreign peace of all nations with whom we have any intercourse. Any intervention in their affairs further than thv even by the expression of an official opinion is contrary to our principles of international policy.” Martin Vanßuren, Dec. 5, 1840 “We have faithfully sustained the foreign policy with which the United States under the guidance of its first President took its stand. ♦ * ♦ A rigid and persevering abstinence from all interference with the domestic and political relations of other states- —those have given our country a standing in the great family of nations of which we nave just cause to be proud.” Wm. H. Harri.cn, March 4, 1841 \ “It is my intention to use every means in my power to preserve friendly intercourse with a foreign nation * * • that I see a guaranty that the harmony * * * wifl not be interrupted by the advancement of any claim or pretention upon their part to which our honor would not permit us to yield.” Jame* K. Polk, Doc. 2, 1845 “It is well known to the American people knd to all nations that ed b£

tween other governments, and can not in silence permit 'any European interference on the North American continent.” Zachary Taylor, Dec. 4, 1849 “Having avowed the opinion- on talcing the oath of office that in disputes between conflicting foreign governments it is our interest not less than our duty to remain strictly neutraj, I have scrupuously avoided any interference in the wars and contentions which have recently distracted Europe.” Franklin Pierce, Dec. 4, 1854 “The wise theory of our government so early adopted and steadily pursued of avoiding all entangling alliances has hitherto exempted it from many complications.” Jame* Buchanan, Aug. 30, 1845 “Separated as we are from the old world by a vast ocean and still further removed from it by the nature of our republican institutions, the march of free governments on this continent must not be transmitted by the intrigues and selfish interest of European powers” Written while Secretary of State. Abraham Lincoln, Dec. 1* 1862 “We have forborne from taking part in any controversy between foreign states, but have left to every nation the exclusive conduct and management of its own affairs.”

Andrew Johnson, Dec. 4, 1865. 4 ‘Our great • extent of territory, variety of climate * * *make us singularly independent of the varying policy of foreign powers and protect us against every temptation to ‘entangling alliances’ * * * our best security against nations who feel power and forget right.” U. S. Grant, Jane 13, 1870 “Washington inaugurated the policy of neutrality and absolute abstenence from all foreign entangling alliances. * * *The strict adherence to this rule of public policy has been one of the highest honors of American statesmanship;” Grover Cleveland, Dec. 8, 1885 “Maintaining as I do the tenets of a line of precedents from Warflington’s day which proscribe entangling alliances with foreign states, I do not favor a policy of acquisition of new and distant territory or its incorporation of remote interests with our own.” Woodrow Wilson, May 6, 1814 “America should lead her own life. We cannot form alliances with those who are not going our way. We need not and we should not form alliances with any nation in the world. Those who are right, those who hold their honor higher than their advantage, do not need' alliances.” 4'. \ J