Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-12

gave il moral force and nhuence-in oil that com
mended & 70 the respect if not the acquiscenee OF
liberal Statement Ia every part OF the world tnat
may say Of IT, as the Senator from Delaware said OF
the Mosqui protectorate after the treaty Of $50,
"stat aonainis unabra," and no more comparable TO
The doctrine enunciated by Mr. Monroe than "Hy'
perion TO satyr." -.
The policy Of the Monroe doctrine, as originally
announced and understood, was to protect and de-
fend the new republics of the South against the at
taeks insidious open, of the despotic Powers OF
the Old WorId--to take them by the hsnd, 20 bind
them to us by mutual ties Of confidence and friend
" Offices and TO cheer them on in their new ca
reer as independent nations. But since that time
il has been to leave them to struggle on in their
fecbleness to themselves in petty domestic
feuds and wars with each other, almost without no.
tce from their elder sister without any weldigest-
ed effort to compose their quarrels by peaceful in
terventon; and even without any public expression
Of our sympathy.
Then, the policy of the Monroe doctrine was TO
uphold and maintain the southern republics in their
| separate existence and integrity against the en-
croachments and Vaccinations of TRANSATLANTIC foes
now, it TO be the policy of this doctrine to
interpose our influence, and if necessary our arms,
against the intrusion OF the Powers OF Europe, that
may be free TO consolidate their territories, and
annex them to our own; and thus to build up one
TO become more formidable to Ourselves than TO the
Powers of Europe.
Mr.. President, this question is too large and too
important to this country to be discussed nciden'
tally. II is a msnomer to call the doctrine now
set up the Monroe doctrine. 1t would be more
descriptive and correct to call it the doctrine of pro-
gressive absorption annexation, and conquest.
What we have lost by the perVersion OF the origi
jnal spirit Of the Monroe doctrine may be summed
up in a very few words. We have lost the conf
dence OF the South American republics and with
their confidence all the commercial and political
advantages which, from our position, had a
right 10 expect when those republics sprang into
existence. Sir, we have made it questionable with
many of them whether an alliance with some great
Power Of Europe would not be less perilous to their
independence than any they contract with the
United States; and il may be doubtee whether, at
this day, if there should be between the Uni.
ted States and Great Britain, the sympathies of
most Of these republics would not be with Great
Britain.
We have lost, besides, all credit for moderation
in the pursuit of power and dominion, and cOnses
quently excited the jealousy and il-feeling OF Eu
rope. Whatever influence we may exercise here
after upon the great affairs of the world will be the
result rather of the fear inspired by our physical
resources and our resentment than any confidence
in our counsels, or any great respect for US as a
nation. To hold such position before the world,
who that is proud of his country and its Institutions,
would not condemn as alike nglorious and false TO
the destiny which the great founders Of the Repub-
lie sought TO insure for it?