The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-18

Hon-InssnvsntiSn.
In many comments on the speeches OF the eminent
Hungarian chief. have erroneous ideas advanced
ss TO the doctrine OF on-insryention. The Monroe
declaration, which gave to that expression technical
sxnecalion and which has been recognised the fixed
policy OF the country. TO be greatly misunderstood
in many Qusrters In instances we have seen il sci
forth a prohibiting the United States from Interfering in
the coaAics OF transatlantic nations and in others has
been interpreted obligation binding the United
States 10 prevent any nation from interfering in the
between other nations Both OF these ideas lncoT
rect The Monroe declaration does not in any manner,
forbid to take part in foreign wars; and on the other
hand does require except in specific cases, that
should take up arms prevent any nation from bscom
ins party 10 wars between other nations
Mr.. Monroe in his message Of December, 1898. an
nounced two principles
That the American continents, by the free and indie
uspdent condition they had assumed and maintained
were no longer subjects for future colonization by any
European powers
That we would view any attempt to extend the sys-
tenn OF the allied powers OF Europe this hemisphere as
dangerous TO peace and safety. and regard the
manifestation OF an unfriendy disposition towards the
United States the nterposition of any European power
with any Of the governments Of America, for the pur
pose Of depressing them, or controlling in any manner
their destiny.
This latter decaraion-the which is now attracting
public attention-does not it will be perceived. lay down
any principle the general right of nations inter-
fsre With the Of others. TO enter into offensive
and defensive alliances 1t does not say that shall
shall not interfere to maintain the doctrine of non-nte
venon in Europe. or that American nations may not be-
come parties to American 1t lays down no prnc
pie on those points, because the occasion did not call for
any Mr. Monroe expressed his belief that the
policy oil the United States required them to stand
aloof from the politics Of Europe; but he went no
further His declaration no, called forth by the
condition of things beyond the Atlantic The Span
sh colonies in America had declared their ndepend-
eucs, and our government had acknowledged them
az members OF the family OF nations. Spain, being
unable to maintain her authority, wished 10 avail herself
Of the aid and assistance OF the Holy Alliance, of which
she was member in order to reduce the young republics
to subsection; and Nr. Monroe announced the principle
that the allied powers should connne their system to
the other hemisphere, and that they should inerpose
with regard American nations, in order to Cypress them
or to control their destines. The reason given by Mr.
Monroe for his declaration was that resent injuries.
or make preparation for defence, only when our
rights are invaded seriously menaced and that po
siton, which necessarily connected with the other
nations OF America, and the similarity of their institutions
to our own, gave us right TO regard any attempt TO
control their destines by European powers unendy
and dangerous The rightfulness of the Monroe
declaration depended the Of the American
nations and the similarity Of their political systems TO
own II this that gave US the right to protect them
from any attempt of European powers Had Hungary
been in America then the Monroe declaration would have
required prevent the Russian Intervention But,
Hungary far remote from could not urge any
danger 10 rights, or 10 political principles, in
justification of forcibe attempt to arrest the OF
Russia. The principle Of the Monroe declaration did
apply, nor could il apply to European affairs, except in
the event Of a general alliance sufficiently formida.
bic 10 menace US even across the Atlantic. Whenever
an alliance shall be formed, having for its object the ex
tension OF political principles and systems hostile
own, OF sufficient power 10 make the Atlantic longer
defence, then the principles OF the Monroe decara
ton would justify in resorting to arms in aiding TO
thwut the purposes Of such an alliance.
For greater certainty extract those portions Of the
message OF Mr. Monroe. and his in the presi
dsncy, which relate the doctrine of non.inerventon
From The sams Message Of Mr. Monroe.
II was stated the OF the last session
that great effort then making in Spain and Portugal
10 improve the condition OF the people OF those countries,
and that appeared to be conducted with extraordinary
moderation II need scarcely be remarked that the
sui, has been AI very different from what then
anticipated OF events in that quarter OF the globe, with
which we have much intercourse and from which we
derive origin, have always been anxious and in
er.sed spectators The citizens of the United States
cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor OF the lib
sry and happiness OF their fellow that side OF the
Atlantic IN the OF the European powers In mat
tiers relating TO themselves we have never taken any
part, nor does il comport with policy 30 TO do.
II 10 only when rights are invaded, or seriously
menaced that resent INJURIES make preparation for
defence With The movements in this hemisphere
are Of necessity Immediately connected, and by
causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and i'm
partial observers The political system OF the allied pow
ere 10 essentially different in this respect from that OF
America. This difference proceeds from that which ex-
lists their respective governments Ind 10 the defence
Of own, which has been achieved by the loss OF
much blood and treasure and matured BY the wisdom oil
their ghtened and under which have
enjoyed unexamped felicity this whole nation devoted
We il, therefore, 10 candor and TO the amicabe rea
tons existing between the United States and those pow
their par extend their system TO any portion OF this
hemisphere dangerous to our peace and safety. With
the existing colonies dependencies OF any European
power have not interered, and shall not interfere
But with the governments who have declared their indie
pendence and maintained IT, and whose independence we
have, on great consideration and just principles,
knowledged could not view any nteposion for the
purpose OF expressing them. controlling in any other
manner their destiny, By any European power, In any
other light than The manifestation of unfrendly dis
position towards the United States In the war between
those new governments and Spain, declared neu
fAIy at the time OF their recog nton and to this we have
adneed ana sna continue 10 adhere provided no change