Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.
! rnos the rHILADELrHIA IsouInEn, DEcHaBEa q.

Cuba, Spain, England, France, Mexico, Japan, and
the South American Republics are every day grow
ing more important, and the popular mind is natu-
rally turning to the future The visit of M. Kos
suth to this country produced momentary excite
ment, and for the time some Of the best men of the
nation were misled to the proper policy of this
country. That delusion has gone by, and surprise
Is now manifested the meteorke of the excite
ment. But within short time relations with Spain
growing out Of the condition Of the Island Of Cuba and
our relations with France in consequence of the
at SANTANA and Sonora have attracted marked at
ention and various specuations have been INDUCED
to the meaning real philosophy and practical effect
Of the Monroe doctrine, soealed, promulgated long
ago as in 1928 What does it mean? Under what cir
it called forth and how does it apply to
the present condition Of affairs These are pertinent
and appropriate questions.
Heretofore the policy Of this country has been neutral
conservative, and non-intervcnve But of late years
some Of the more ultra spirits Of tie day. either inflated
by pride or impatient Of restraint md aggressive in sp
rit are anxious for new version d new SYSTEM and,
not satisfied with the blessings which Providence has
poured upon US with such bounil hand, are disposed
10 extend the area Of freedom by force Of and to
regulate not only our own affairs hut those Of all man
kind II Is WE'LL therefore, TO turn occasionally to the
lessons OF Of the leading statesmen Of the daythe
past as well as the present Gen Washington in his
Farewell Address urges his counrymen to observe good
faith and Justice towards all nations cultivate peace
and harmony with all" alt will"--we quote his Ian
guage" be worthy Of free, enlightened, and, at
distant PERIOD great nation, to give to mankind the
magnanimous and too novel example Of people always
guided by exalted justice and benevolence. The great
rule Of conduct for in regard to foreign nations in
extending our commercial relations, to have with Aem
as little political connexion possible Europshas
set of primary interests which to US have none or
very remote relation. Thus she must be engaged in
frequent controversies the causes Of which are essen
tally foreign TO concerns. Hence, therefore, it
must be unwse in us to mpcate ourselves by artificial
ties in the ordinary vicssitudes Of her politics. o. the
ordinary combinations and collisions Of her friendships
or enmiies" This is the doctrine Of non-iiter-
venon Although uttered as long ago 1885, its brce
and propriety every way applicable to the present.
period. We have grown mighty under its inauenceand
through its practice, and why should there be any
change?
But the Monroe doctrine is Of later origin 1t
bodied in the seventh annual Message OPresdent Monroe
to the Congress OF the United States under date Of De-
cember 3D. 1929 and called forth under peculiar cir
cumstances The South American Republics were then
struggling for independence, and the American People
naturally felt the yeest interest In the welfare Of their
brethren this side the Atlantic. This altogether
proper. 1t example that had kndled the spirit
Of independence in their bosoms and our example
in the struggle with Great Britain that they were im
tating We had thrown of the yoke Of the Old World
and they endeavoring to do likewise twas under
this aspect of the that Mr. MONROE in his message
to Congress- said that would be impossible that
Ahed Powers of Europe should extend their political
system to any portion Of either Continent without
dangerng peace and happiness Nor could any
believe that Southern (South Amercan) brethren,
If left to themselves, would adopt Of their own accord
1t was equally impossible therefore, that should be-
hold such nterposton in any form with indifference"
He further declared to the Allied Powers that the Unit
ed states would consider any attempt their part to
extend their system to any portion Of this hemisphere
as dangerous to peace and safety" Here then, we
have the pth and marrow Of the Monroe doctrine which
has excited 50 much attention But in order that the
reader may understand the matter fully, cory the
passage at length from the message referred to:
at was stated at the commencement of the last
that great effort then making in Spain and Portugal
improve the condition Of the people Of those count and
that appeared conducted with extraordinary mode
ton 1t need scarcely be remarked that the result has BEEN
far very different from what then anticipated or
in that quarter Of the globe with which We have
much intercourse and from which derive origin,
have always anxious and interested spectators The c
Of the United States cherish sentiments the most friend
y in favor OF the liberty and happiness OF their feow-men
that side Of the Atlantic In the Of the European Pow
ers in relating to themselves have never taken
any part does 1t compot with policy so to do. IL Is
only when rights invaded seriously menaced that
resent injuries make preparation for our defence With
the in this hemisphere arc Of necessity
Immediately connected and by which must be obvious
all enlightened and impartial observers. The political ys
TEN Of the allied Powers essentially different In this respect
from that OF America. This difference proceeds from that
which exists In their respective Governments And to the de-
fence Of own which has been achieved by the loss Of
much blood and treasure and maured by the wisdom Of their
most enlightened citizens and under which have enjoyed
unexamped felicity, this whole nation s devoted We owe
IT, therefore, TO candor, and to the amicabe relations existing
between the United States and those Powers to declare that
we should consider any attempt their part 10 extend their
system portion Of this hemisphere dangerous 70 our
peace and safety With the existing colonies and dcpenden
ces Of any European Power have not neered and shall
interfere But with the Governments who have declared
their independence and maintained It, and whose ndren
dence have great consideration and just principles
acknowledged could not view inerposition for the
purpose Of depressing them controlling any other
their destiny by European Power in any other light than
the manifestation Of unrendy disposition towards the
United States In the war between those new Governments
and Spain declared neutrality the time Of their re-
cognton and to this have adhered and shall continue TO
adhere provided change shall occur which, in the udg
mem Of the competent authorities Of this Government shal
mike corresponding change, the part Of the United
States, indispensable to their security.
"The late events in Spain and Portugal show that Europe
Is sl unsettled OF this important fact stronger proof
be adduced than that the allied Powers should have thought
ID proper principle satisfactory themselves to have
nterposed by force in the internal Of SPAIN To
what extent such nerposon may be carried the same
principle lie question in which all independent Powers whose
Governments differ from theirs ntereed even those
remote, and surely than the United States
Our policy in regard Europe which adopted early
stare the which have long aated that quarter Of
the globe nevertheless remains the same, which IT, 10 In
terere in the internal Of any Of M Powers
slider the Government de facto the legitimate Government
for us cultivate friendly relations with H. and 10 preserve