The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-21
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON, D. c. FEBRUARY

Twenty-four days after that doctrine was prs
claimed, Spain called upon the Holy Alliai1ce 10
"uphold the principles of order and legitiuacy'
by aiding her in reconquering her revolted Ame+
lean colonies yet sir, the Congress to whom thlt
Monroe doctrine was addressed, shrank from rs
adoption Three years after that Monroe doc
trine was proclaimed, Mr.. Adams, in his Panama
message, explained that doctrine, by saving that
"our views would extend no further thaa to- a
mutual pledge to the parties to the compact 10
maintain the principle in application to il i ov-n
territory, and to permit no colonial lodgmeIits or
establishments OF European jurisdiction, upon rs
own Sou' -.
Although the Monroe doctrine, as thus defined
~ Mr.. Adams, received the support of Henry
clay and Daniel Webster Congress- under tle
lead OF the chiefs of that rising party that WAS
TO bear Andrew Jackson into power over he
author of the Monroe doctrine, rejected it; and
from that hour to this, whenever the Senate or
House OF Representatives have been called upon
10 stand by the principles of the Monroe doctrlS
they nave failed to do This doctrine is simtly
the declaration of Chief Magistrate of the Uni
ted States, not binding upon the nation at hoIle
or abroad. l am ready here to-day to vote .or
tne Monroe doctrine, as laid down and defined oy
Dir. Adams in his message on the Panama mis-
sion; but until the Senate and House of Rep-e-
sentatves adopt it, think the less our statesmen
at home and diplomatists abroad say about Elm
Will intcTudllOnal questions, tne DetteS.
would take care of our interests in Genital
America; would let Great Britain alone there
and leave it to her to commence an aggressive
pollcy, II she chooses so to do and if she%does
commence such contest, it should never clsse
until the power of England ON the North AmCri-
can continent is forever broken, and we are Feft
In possession of North America to the Polar Sc
gions, where civilization is arrested by the bSr-
rlerS OF perpetual frost.
| saw. then. sir. that tho only 1vov in ind,
ment, to get out of our present embarrass aens is
to declare the ClaytOn-Bulwer treaty n, Il t1pd
void-to negotiate in Central America Sor Ehe
protection of our transit routes across tina coen-
try. The abrogation of the treaty does 1t LEAD
to war. 1t is the policy which will, in m iusig-
ment, promote the future peace and int rest of
the country | would vote against the Cayt.Jn-
Bulwer Treaty, if it were before us to-dayS ft<'
can never agree to make arrangement with
England, or any other foreign Power that We Vjll
not exercise dominion over any portion of this
continent. ! have no sympathy with the poscy
that would extend the boundaries of the Repib-
lie by lawless violence; but have faith in Dem
Ocratic institutions. | believe that wherever She
jurisdiction OF this country extends on this osn-
tnent, the interests of humanity will be ultimate
ly promoted by it. Agreeing with the doctrine
laid down by Mr.. Everett, in his admirable letter
upon the tripartite treaty, would never Bind
ourselves by any treaty obligations that we ssill
not annex, if we and the people who live in The
territory desire 1T, any portion of this cQntinSnt.
For myself, can never vote to admit a Soo- of
territory into this Union where the great 'sactsine
of the Declaration of Independence, "that IL men
are created equal" is denied; but wherev Ftec-
dom and free institutions can follow the dv.nc-
ing flag of the Republic l am ready Il arsslex
that portion of the continent if it can be ace m
plished hOnorably, peacefully, and in h lrnzjny
with the feelings OF our own people and he go
pie who are to come to us. ~