The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03
THE MONROE DECLARATION AMERICAN
STATESMANSHIP
An intelligent correspondent remarks

An intelligent correspondent remarks
There is something involved in series of
resolutions lately offered by General Cass, and
commented upon by yourself, which is either
entirely wrong, or not understood by me.
refer to the resolutions of General Cass which
professedly design to prevent any European
nation from colonizing any portion of the North
American continent. | believe that any such
attempt would be a gross usurpatiOn by u.s.
What right have we in Mexico, greater than
England or any other nation What right
have we to prevent Mexico from peaceably at.
taching herself to the Crown of England?
conceive that it might be adverse to our par
ticular interests but the principle that would
forcibly prevent it, would prevent an individual
from selling his lot TO another, without permits
sion from his adjoining neighbor. conceive
that if any of the Republics Of Central America
see proper to merge their identity in that of
England or any other nation, they have per-
feet right to do 80, Independently of any action
on the part of the United States.
alt seems to me that such an assumption of
power as those resolutions propose il entirely
lnwarranted by any principle of international
law, and calculated to exert a very pernicous
influence upon our foreign relations"
We do not favor the resolutions of General
Cas-, or any resolutions of a similar kind The
policy Of legislative resolutions, declaring what
the nation will or will not allow, in certain
contingencies is very questionable.
The policy of the Monroe Declaration-that
is, the expediency of preventing, if possible, fu-
ture European colonization in the North
American continent-commends itself to our
judgment and feeling 1t is unnecessary to dis
cuss questions of abstract right-whether, for
example England or France has a right to
plant new colony in North America, or
whether Mexico or any other North American
State has a right to transfer itself to Euro
pean Power, or whether that Power has the
right to accept such transfer.
European Governments differ from American
Governments. The European system is one
thing the American system is another A
certain theory in relation to a balance of power
is popular in Europe none such exists in
America. The Monarchical Principle and
corresponding institutions prevail in Europe
the Democratic Principle and corresponding
Institutions prevail in North America There
can be no affinity, there must be perpetual con.
iict between them.
In the order of events, which wo believe to
be shaped by Divine Providence, the New
World belongs to Democracy, and it should be
the great aim of American Craftsmanship to
establish here the supremacy of Democratic
Institutions, Public Opinion should require
and sustain such craftsmanship such an object
should be the controlling Idea of every Admin
istration of this Republic, which by its position
and power stands at the head of the New World.
But not by bravado, not by demagogical
speeches, not by menacing resolves, not by pre-
mature committals is it to be carried out but
by wise consistent inhexible diplomacy, EN-
bodying the fixed views and will of the People
Existing rights of possession ought not to be
violated the extension Of such rights ought to
be resisted and whenever An honorable and
peaceful movement can help the working Of
natural causes to loosen the ties Of colonial de-
pendenoe Of any portion Of the New World
upon the Old, it ought to be made
1t may be said that Mexico has right Il
transfer herself to European Power; and &c
South Carolina would have similar right
But this Republic, Us the guardian Of Demo
cratic Institutions, and the most profoundly in