The State Department

By the means of arbitration and treaties the State Department endeavors to settle international disputes. It is only after such methods have failed that the United States enters into war to enforce or protect its principles. America has always endeavored to maintain peaceful relations with other nations. Yet practically every generation has been compelled to take up arms either in defense of the Nation or the principles set forth in her Constitution. The attitude of the American Government toward other nations is - To cherish peace and free intercourse with all nations having corresponding dispositions; to maintain sincere neutrality toward belligerent nations; to prefer in all cases amicable discussion and reasonable accommodation of differences to a decision of them by an appeal to arms; to exclude foreign intrigues and foreign partialities, so degrading to all countries and so baneful to free ones. - Madison.