The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-12-16

ly the ooctrlne mas Deen DroaCneu III bome OF
them, of a balance of power" on this con-
tinent, to check our advancement. The
United States, sincerely desirous of preserv.
ing relations of good understanding with all
nations, cannot in silence permit any Euro
pean interference on the North American
continent; and should any such interference
be attempted, will be ready to resist it at any
and all hazards.
1t is we'll known to the American people
and to all nations, that this government has
never interfered with the relations subslstlng
between other governments. We have never
made ourselves parties TO their wars or thell
alliances; we have not sought their territories
by conquest; we have not mingled with par
ties in their domestic struggles; and believing
our own form of government to be the best,
we have never attempted to propagate it by
intrigues, by diplomacy, or by force. We
may claim on this continent like exemption
from European Interference. The nations Of
America are equally sovereign and independ'
ent with those of Europe. They possess the
same rights, independent of all foreign inter
position, to make war, to conclude peace
and to regulate their internal affairs. The
people of the United States cannot, therefore
view with Indifference attempts of European
powers to interfere with the independent ac.
ton of the nations on this continent. The
American system of government is entirely
different from that of Europe. Jealousy
among the different sovereigns of Europe,
lest any one of them might become too
powerful for the rest, has caused them an
xiously to desire the establishment of what
they term the balance of power" 1t can
not be permitted TO have any application on
the North American continent, and especially
TO the United States. We must ever main
tain the principle, that the people of this con-
tinent alone have the right to decide their
own destiny. Should any portion of them,
constituting an Independent state, propose to
unite themselves with our conlederacy, this
will be question for them and us TO deter
mine, without any foreign interposition. We
can never consent that European Powers shall
interfere TO prevent such union, because it
might disturb the "balance of power" which
they may desire 10 maintain upon this conti-
nent. Near quarter of a century ago, the
principle was distinctly announced TO the
world, in the annual message of one of my
predecessors, that " the American continents,
by the free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintain, are hence
forth not to be considered as subjects for
future colonization by any European power.'
This principle will apply with greatly increas.
ed force, should any European power attempt
to establish any new colony in North Amer.
ica. In the existing circumstances of the
world, the present is deemed proper occas.
ion to reiterate and reafirm the principal
avowed by Mr.. Monroe, and to state my cor.
dial concurrence in its wisdom and sound
policy. The reassertion of this principle
especially in reference to North America, is
at this day but the promulgaiion of policy
which no European power should cherish the
disposition TO resist. Existing rights of every
European nation should be respected; but Il
is due alike TO our safety and our interests
that the efficient protection of our laws should
be extended over our whole territorial limits
and that it should be distinctly announced
to the world as our settled policy, that no
future European colony or dominion shall,
with our consent, be planted or established
on any part of the North American continent.
A question has recently arisen under the
tenth article of the subsisting treaty between
the United States and Prussia. By this ar
ticle, the consuls of the two countries have
the right 10 sit as judges and arbitrators in
such differences as may arise between the
captains and crews Of the vessels belonging
to the nation whose interests are committed
to their charge without the interference of
the local authorities, unless the conduct of
the crews or of the captain should disturb the
order or tranquility of the country, or the
said consuls should require their assistance
to cause their decisions to be carried into
effect or supported"
The Prussian consul at New Bedford, in
June, 1874, applied to Mr.. Justice Story to
carry into effect decision made by him be-
tween the captain and crew of the Prussian
ship Borussia; but the request was refused
on the ground that, without previous legisla-
ton by Congress, the judiciary did not possess
the power to give effect to this article of the
treaty. The Prussian government, through
their minister here, have complained of this
violation Of the treaty, and have asked the
government of the United States to adopt the
necessary measures 10 prevent similar viola
tons hereafter. Good faith to Prussia, as
we'll as to other nations with whom we have
similar treaty stipulations, requires, that these
should be faithfully observed. have deemed
it proper, therefore, to lay the subject be-
fore Congress, and recommend such legisla-
ton as may be necessary 10 give effect to these
treaty obligations.
By virtue of an arrangement made between
the Spanish government and that of the Uni
ted States, in December, 1881, American
vessels, since the twenty-ninth of April,