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The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

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last lord mayor’s banquet, he said <strong>the</strong> “appearance<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> as a factor in Asiatic affairs is<br />

likely to conduce to <strong>the</strong> interests <strong>of</strong> Great Britain,<br />

but might not conduce to <strong>the</strong> interests <strong>of</strong> peace.” It<br />

can not possibly conduce to <strong>the</strong> interests <strong>of</strong> peace,<br />

for <strong>the</strong> very reason that in entering <strong>the</strong> Orient this<br />

nation has deserted her policy <strong>of</strong> peace, and has<br />

adopted in principle, at least, <strong>the</strong> bellicose spirit;<br />

she has now departed from that doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

“fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> his country,” which, if it never brought<br />

to her military glory, most certainly has been <strong>the</strong><br />

cause <strong>of</strong> her material greatness. <strong>The</strong> words in <strong>the</strong><br />

“Farewell Address” are a pearl <strong>of</strong> great price. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

may be familiar, but <strong>the</strong>y can not too <strong>of</strong>ten be<br />

recalled:--<br />

“Against <strong>the</strong> insidious wiles <strong>of</strong> foreign<br />

influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow<br />

citizens) <strong>the</strong> jealousy <strong>of</strong> a free people ought to be<br />

constantly awake, since history and experience<br />

prove that foreign influence is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />

baneful foes <strong>of</strong> republican government. ...<br />

“<strong>The</strong> great rule <strong>of</strong> conduct for us in regard to<br />

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