American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-19
The Monroe Doctrine.

We have read with much pleasure portions
Of the editorial on this subject in the Union of
the 18th instant. But we regret to see in it
some things which may be construed as ind-
eating a disposition on the part of the Union
now to depart from the policy recommended by
Mr.. Monroe The Union says:
"The Monroe declaration does not in any
manner forbid us to take part in foreign wars
1t does not say that we shall or shall
not interfere to maintain the doctrine of non
Intervention in Europe. 1t lays down
no principle on those points, because the occa-
sion did not call for any. Mr.. Monroe ex-
pressed his belief that the policy of tie United
States required them to stand aloof from the
politics OF Europe; but he went no further.
His declaration was not called forth by the con-
dition of things beyond the Atlantic
Now, unless the Union intends to draw very
broad line Of distinction between the principles
and policy declared by Mr.. Monroe, there seems
to be manifest contradiction in the passages
policy Of the United States requires them TO stand
alocf from the politics Of Europe" sounds very
much like laying down very broad and I'M
mistakable principle on the point stated For
one, we are not prepared to abandon either the
principle laid down or the policy recommended
by Mr. Monroe in reference to European poll
tics. II it be true that when he recommended
that policy the" condition of things beyond the
Atlantic" did not call for it, this gives to his
warning greater value, by imparting to it a
prophetic character. Mr.. Monroe spoke for an
occasion to arise in the future. Was it the pres
emit? Let us pause and take counsel together, be-
fore we turn our backs upon the prophet and
rush madly upon the dangers he foresaw. Let
neither Palmerston's willy strategy, nor Bulwer's
boosted new dinner-speech- making diplomacy,
nor Webster's subserviency to British policy,
nor the gifted Kossuth's maddening eoquence,
nor our own misguided sympathy for universal
liberty, make US again tributary dependency of
Great Britain, to fight her battles with Russia
The Russian threatens first Hungary and Tur-
key, and then the British East Indies, and Great
Britain would interpose America to stay his
progress. Is this our mission? Should we not
rather still stand aloof from the politics Of En-
rope?
The Union says, further, that Mr.. Monroe
announced the principle that the powers of Eu-
rope "should not interfere with regard to Amer
lean nations, in order to Cypress them or to
control their destinies," "nor to reduce the
young republics to subsection" "The reason
given by Mr.. Monroe was, that we resent in
'juries, or make preparation for defence, only
when our rights are invaded or seriously men
aced; and that our position, which necessarily
connected us with the other nations of Amer
lea, and the similarity of their institutions to
'our own, gave us o right to regard any at
tempt to control their destinies by European
powers as unfriendly and dangerous to us.
The rightfulness of the Monroe declaration
depended on the nearness of the American ma
tons, and the similarity Of their political sys.
items to our own. 1t was this that gave US o
right to protect them from any attempt Of Eu-
'ropean powers"
With this we cordially agree. This was then,
and is now, the true principle, policy, and duty
of the United States. To maintain this policy,
to fulfil this duty, we are ready for war to-
morrow. IL is not our business to maintain
Great Britain against Russia in the East Indies
but it is our right and duty to forbid the inter
ference Of Great Britain and France with the
West Indies. We call the attention Of tn,
Union again to the affairs of Cuba and til,
joint Intervention Of Great Britain and Franc,
in that quarter. And we again remind its edi
tors that the Government of the United States
has recently permitted, yea, has united with,
those two European powers to Cypress, and
control the destnies Of, the Dominican republic,
by forcing upon it the principle proclaimed by
the black Emperor Of Hayti, that no white per-
son shaH put a foot on The soI Of that island az
Oscn~ or preprietor.
There are six thousand Sons Of Temperance
~ Maryland.