The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-10-25

6us has brought into view the celebrated declara-
ton made by Mr.. Munroe against European inter-
vention in the affairs Of this Continent 1t is con-
sidered as having announced, for the first time, the
doctrines affirmed in substance by Mr. Squier in /
his late address to the Government of Nj /
eaagua and, in that sense, as pledging this Gov |
ernment by ancient declarations Of policy, to armed
Intervention for the exclusion Of the British from
! the Nicaragua territory.
It is, therefore, interesting to reproduce the de-
caration to which so much consequence is attached,
that our readers may have the text for the exercise
of their own Judgment It is part of the Annual |
/ Message of Mr.. Monroe, dated Sept ID, 1928 |
The following passages contain what is said on |
the subject Of the relations Of foreign Governments
to this Continent;
In the wars of the European powers, in matters
relating to themselves, we have never taken any
part does it comport with our policy so to do
Il is only when rights are invaded, or seriously
menaced, that we resent injuries or make serious |
preparations for our defence. With the movements
Of this hemisphere, we are, of necessity, more inn
medately connected, and by causes that must be
obvious to all impartial and enlightened observers
The political system of the allied powers is essen
tally different in this respect from that of America
The difference consists in their respective Govern
ments. And to the defence Of our own, which has
been achieved by the loss of so much blood and
treasure, and under which we have enjoyed such
unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted.
We owe it to oandor and to the amcable relations
existing between the United States and to the allied
| powers, to declare that we should consider any
attempt their part to extend their system to any
| portion, Of this hemisphere as dangerous to our
| psace and safety. With the existing colonies or
! dependencies of any European power we have not
interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the
| Governments who have declared and maintained
it, and whose independence we have, upon great
consideration and on just principles, acknowledged,
we could not view any nterpositiOn for the purpose
OF expressing them, or controlling i7l any other
ner their Destiny in any other light than as the
manifestation Of an unfriendly disposition towards
! the United States"
Again: 'Our policyin regard to Europe re-
mains the same, which is not to interfere in the in
teFnal concerns Of any OF its powers; to consider
the Government de JactO as the legitimate Govern
ment for us to cultivate friendly relations with it,
and TO preserve those relations by frank, firm and
manly policy; meeting in all instances the just
claims OF every power, submitting to injuries from
none. But N regard to these Continents, circum-
stances are -eminently and conspicuotsIy different
1t is impossible that the allied powers should ex
tend their political system to any portion Of either
Continent, without endangering their peace and
happiness any one believe that our South
brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it
of their own accord Ii equally impossible, there
fore, that should behold it in any form with in
difference
The exact bearing of these words has been often
disputed. They have been relied upon as estab-
fishing national policy on our part, by which we
are pledged TO maintain the independence of the
republics on this Continent against any foreign
efforts to subdue ihem and to resist the planting Of
any colony, or the establishment of any Govern
ment, by any monarchy on this Continent.
That it was at one time treated as a. pledge by
Of eminence in high stations, is evident on the
face of many public papers. Mr.. Adams, who was
one of Mr.. Monroes Cabinet at the time this mes
sage written treated it, in his celebrated
{ Panama Message, as something substantial, which
required to be carried into effect by action if need
be; and Mr.. Clay, when Secretary of State treat
/ ed it as national pledge, which he presented to
the Spanish American Republics In his instruc-
tons to Mr.. POinsett at Mexico, he styled Mr.
Monroe's declaration as memorable pledge, -
and they received it as though they had right to
demand its fulflment.
But there has always been an opposite opinion
strongly maintained. Mr. Calhoun, who was also
a member Of Mr.. Monroe's Cabinet at the same
time, has always denied that there was any pledge
given or intended to be given, and argued strongly
against the lawfulness or propriety of any suci
! executive assumption to declare the policy of tn
= government, and commit it to wars, on his simpl
! will. The subject was strongly discussed in tn
celebrated Panama discussion in I926-'2T, an
= again brought up, with the same oontrariety
opinions, IN the oregon debates, lew years age
= 1t is commended that the declaration was designe
:, to favor a temporary object, which was to dete
the Spanish Government from an invasion of tn
- South American Republics, then contemplated
with the aid Of the allied powers. It is certai
a. that the declaration of this government was mad
not only withthe concurrence, but at the suggesto
of the British Government, through Mr., Canning
u, A French army had reestablished Ferdinand tn
n Seventh in power, and conference Of the Hol
/, Alliance had been summoned, to aid him in the n
- covery of his revolted Colonies in America. Grei
st Britain, however, took her stand once; sgnifs
er her determination, if the design was prosecuted
recognize their Independence, and thus illustrate
the plan, The United States aided Great Britai
ca efieetually, and by concert, in the deClaratiC
w which Mr.: Monroe made in his message. 1t WI
received with great favor, and warmly applaude
er at the time in the British House of Common
where it was evidently looked upon as a bold stroll
of policy for an immediate purpose, in which
y had succeeded.
n The subject. is again revived, and we think W
10 there will be again the difference of opir
an ion about its meaning and merits
= Tim III