The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-05-13
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

|
We noticed last week, in a brief manner
several speeches delivered at Cleveland on
Monday, the I'd inst, and among others, that
OF Col. Smith, the Democratic candidate fol
Congress in this District In stating Mr.
Smiths position upon the "Monroe doctrine
in the estimation of some of his friends we
were not explicit enough, and we therefore
cheerfully give the following full report OF
his remarks upon that question, place in our
columns
Mr. Smith said, he regarded the "Monroe
Doctrine" properly understood, as one of the
most important principles promulgated in our
Government since its organization; stripped
| of all the mystery thrown around it by poll
ticians, it meant simply-that no European
power should be allowed to coonize any por-
ton Of the American Continent, which would
be likely to endanger our institutions, cripple
our commerce, or retard our progress as a
nation. Based upon this principle, it will not
only meet the approval of the civilized world,
but will be perfectly consistent with our ma
tional faith, and national honor. Every ma
ton has right TO look to its own safety, and
to adopt the measures necessary for its own
preservation. Necessity makes the law"
and hence any measures necessary for the
preservation and perpetuation of our institu-
tons, are legal and right, and it is the duty
of our Government to enforce them.
This principle has been acted upon by the
British Government, and acquiesced in by
Russia. When the latter attempted to take
nf 80 9
try between the Black and Caspian sea, COM
handing the pass from Europe to Asia, the
British Government protested against it, and
prevented it, on the principle of the "Monroe
Doctrine" that it would endangcr the insti-
buttons, or cripple the commerce of the
"United Kingdom"
Upon this principle our Government ought
not to allow any European power to colonize
any portion of Central America, or the 18TH
mus Of Darien. Across this we propose to
construct Canal, of sufficient dimensions to
admit the passage of the vessels of all ma
tons. By this means the two greatest oceans
in The world will be connected together. 1t
will be the great passway from the Atlantic
to the Pacific ocean; from the United States
and Europe to China: and from the East to
our Western possessions on the Pacific coast.
The construction of this Canal will give
new impetus to the trade and commerce of
the world. 1t will open up new and COM
peting market for the productions of our soil,
and enhance the value thereof, as well as the
fabrics of our manufactures. To permit
that portion Of this continent, of such mo-
mentous importance to the commercial, agri-
cultural and manufacturing interests of this
nd 10 oc H.
pass into the hands of, and be controlled by,
strong European Government, would at
once force us into almost iuterminable wars
with other nations, the result of which might
be the bankruptcy of our treasury, or the de-
struction Of our republican institutions.
Cuba, also, will fall within the principle,
and ought not to be permitted to pass from
the dominion of Spain to that of any other
European power. Though not part of the
continent, yet it is situated within one hun
dred and thirty miles of the coast. 1t occu-
pies central position in the Gulf of Mexico,
and is more important than any other place
to the whole commerce of the Southern and
Western States. In the hands of hostile
nation, with strong standing army and
powerful Navy, it would enable them to cut
off n large portion of the commerce of our
country, interrupt the pass-way to our Pacific
and retard the progress and pros
perity of our growing Republic.
There are other portions of this continent
| might mention, to which this principle will
apply, but enough has already been said to
illustrate the importance of this doctrine to
the American people, and show It's strict con-
sopance with right, justice and international
law. 1t Dug hit, therefore, III my judgment, to
govern the future action of the Executive
and Legislative departments Of our Govern
ment