Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-02-23
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

go much deprecated is fast increasing and
gaining ground upon us in the shape of
colonization in Central America, and in
the forcible seizure and possession of i'm
pcrtant positions in those waters which
are destined at some time, in a great
measure, if not absolutely, to control
the commerce of the world, it is not
wonderful that the true American spirit
is awakened to proper sense OF our ma
tional honor and national rights. And
this spirit being aroused, it is entirely
natural for the leading statesmen of our
country to adopt the principles Of the
Monroe Doctrine, which will, if carried
out, destroy the dangerous and presump-
tuous pretensions of foreign powers of
colonizing, exercising jurisdiction over,
and intermeddling with, the political re-
lations of thefree and independent States
of the American continents.
This doctrine, for many years neglect
ed, is now becoming justly popular; and
we now propose to consider briefly its
nature, and to discuss the propriety of
its adoption by our national Congress,
and enforcement, peaceably if we can
forcibly if we must This doctrine, as
its name imports, was originated by Mr..
MONROE, or at least first publicly an
nounced by him in his annual message
to Congress in 1928. In this message
he discussed two important subjects.
They are laid down as follows:
LIST. THAT it was impossible for the
allied powers to extend their political
system to any part Of America without
endansering our peace and happiness,
and equally impossible, therefore, that
we should behold such interference with
indifference.
ID. That the occasion had been
Judged proper for asserting, as princi-
pie, in which the rights and interests OF
the United States were involved, that
the American continents, by the free and
INDEPENDENT condition which they had
assumed and maintained, were hence
forth not to be considered as subject to
future colonization by any European
powers.
Mr.. JEFFERSON, the patriarch Of tho
Democratic party, then in retirement
was consulted by Mr.. Monroe upon the
propriety of the adoption by our country
Of such measures of self-prescrvation
and replied in the following beautifully
expressed sentiments
1.-THE question presented by the letter.
YOU have sent me, is the most momen
tous which has ever been offered to m,
contemplation since that of Independence
That made US q nation this sets on
compass, and points the course lehich 'c
are to steer through the ocean Of time. -
And never could we embark on it undo
circumstances more suspicious. Gu
first and fundamental maxim should be
never to entangle ourselves in the broll
of Europe. Our second, negcr 10 sHte
E,rope to intcfmeddtc NTH cts-AhoHi
dfairs. America, North and South
has an interest distinct FROM those Q
Europe, and peculiarly her own. 81
should therefore have a system OF ne
own, separate and apart from that
Europe; the last is laboring to becom
the domicile of despotism-our endcavo
should surely be to make our hemispher
that Of freedom"
Though thus highly spoken of by thi
patriotic statesman, it was not general
favorably received, and the recommends
tons of the President were not acte
upon. Time passed on, and the en-
croachments of foreign powers were nc
again particularly noticed till Mr.. Polk
in the Oregon difficulty, re-declared
and urged upon Congress the prophet
of its confirmation, which would hav
vastly added to the honor and interest
the country. But Congress again falle
to affirm it, having an apprehension thi
if asserted and adhered to, it would lea
to war. Instead of looking the DANCE
in the face, and averting it in its inciT
iency, they shrank from the responsible
ity, and now, when more than ever tn
necessity for its ayowal by the nation'
legislature is manifest, it is again recon
mended by President PIERCE. This
succint history of this important do'
trine, and now for the reasons for i
speedy confirmation.
If it was important in the time Of Nj
Jefferson, as he clearly shows il was
if it was approved by Messrs. CLAY an
ADAMS, and other prominent statesme
of the past, tits assuredly more necessar
at the present day. England, ever read
to extend her power and territory
almost any sacrifice Of honor and sci
respect, during President TAYLon's &c
ministration, made treaty with our go'
ernment, known as the Clayton-Bulw'
treaty. which was founded upon the -ju
principles of this doctrine, and, in
great measure, by solemn treaty col
frmed it. So far as regards the Centr
American States, that power agreed vii