Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-12
NASHVILLE:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH l2, 1850.
on TIE DIFFICULTIES WITH GREAT ap,v.

his views on what he considers the basis of
the disturbances, threatened between this
Government and England The whole
speech is distinguished by that statesman
like forecast, and marked ability which has
given Mr.. BELL the front rank among the
great men of the Republic 1t is charac-
terized too, by the wholesome conservatism
which has been the main feature of his
public career, and which constitutes
GROWING virtue in these days of mad-cap
progress ,
Some gentlemen have declined to discuss the
Monroe doctrine. in connection with this subject
90 the ground, suppose that they do not consid-
cr il as having any necessary connection with it.
On the contrary, regard it the substantial foun.
datOn of all the difficulties which now exist between
us and Great Britain in relation to Central Ameri.
can affairs.
What may have been the policy Of our Govern.
ment 10 thrusng the Monroe doctrine into the dis.
cussion5 between thestwo Governments on the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty is question quite as din.
cult of satisfactory Interpretation the provi.
sons Of the tr atty itself And more so, unless the
object was to break up the treaty or TO embrace
a
if ever, extort from Great Britain the recog.
Eition Of favorte doctrine; and should she obsti-
nately refuse to admit il, that We well pre-
pared as need be, to assert it by the sword. n-
fer from the speech of the honorable Senator from
Michigan, that this is the Interpretation which he
places upon the course of the Executive upon this
subject.
1t may be that Great Britain considers that the
spirit OF the Monroe doctrine asserted in the late
discussions in relation 10 British Honduras, extends
70 Jamaica and every other Island of the West In
dian Archipelago, whether held by her or any 9th
er European Power, not only from the American
islands, but from the American continent. And if
she shall apprehend that the acquisition Of the do
mnion Of all those islands, to say nothing of the
European possessions this continent, is fore
Swallowed in the pretension put forward in relation
TO British Honduras, she may elect, like the Govern
ment of the United States, TO make the issue now,
if the struggle for exclusive dominion in America
must come and not TO postpone il until the United
States shall be better prepared for the conflict.
Sir, differ entirely from those who seek TO es-
tabsh the doctrine that are in a condition to
coerce England, or any other great Europen Power
into submission TO this doctrine. The time may
come when this country NAV, with better assurance
OF success, make such trial OF its sources, but
i: is not now. The Senator from New York, Mr..
Seward was right when he said that a wrr with
Great Britain would be no common war. war
waged upon such principle would be be-
tween this country and all the maritime Powers OF
Europe united.
NY honorable friend from Vermont Mr. Foot
told us that had nothing to fear from a war with
Great Britain. suppose he meant of course, to
include her allies also. Ii he meant say that our
liberties and Independence would not be endangered
By such war, agree with him. but no further Ny
friend stated the proposition modesy and not in any
bad tastc but sir il is too mach the habit OF many OF
= II.
the water ia the language of bravado | probably
have as high estimate of our real strength and
resources any other gentleman; but deprecste
this Wanting of assumed strength-this eternal
blazoning of power and invincibty. 1t mis-
leads ourselves, and it frightens none of the great
Powers OF Europe.
As have have alluded to the Monroe doctrine,
cannot conclude my remarks without some further
reference to that subject; and am sorry that the
honorable Senator from Michigan is not present to
hear what have to say upon IT,
Mr.. President, what is the Monroe doctrine
The honorable Senator from Michigan described it
as great American principle, deeply ingrafted in
the heart of the American people, and which must,
sooner or latter, become the established policy OF
this great country. 1t is the pole star which is to
guide us in the conduct of our foreign relations
upon all questions touching American territory aud
dominion. 1t is described, in the language OF JET
ieTbOn, as the most mOulentouS question present
ed for our contemplation since that OF iEdepen-
dance; that made a nation-this sets the compass
and points the course which we are to steer
through the ocean of time" II that DO true, what
can We say less of the authors aud great advocates
of this doctrine, than that immortal renown waits
upon their names-Monroe Jefferson, the younger
Adams-shall | add Polk aud Pierceg Fresh
nOwn will cluster round their memories as time adj
vanees, through endless ages / omit TO speak of
he nj uIo h. h.. c..
tor from Michigan, 10y his long and unWearied ad-
vocacy of this doctrine out OF respect to bis mod
estv
Now, | repeat, what is the Monroe doctrine |
will initiate tie example Of the honorable Senator
from Michigan, and let Mr.. Monroe speak for him
self. In his annual message, Of 1923, he announc-
ed these sentiments and propositions
That il was impossible for the allied Powers to
extend their political system to any part of the
America continent without endangering our peace
and happiness and equally impossible therefore,
that We should behold such interference withindi-
ference
Secondly THAT the occasion had been judged
proper for asserting, as principle in which the
rights aud interests Of the United States we're in
voved that the American continents, by the free
and independent condition which they had sssuu-
ed and maintained, were henceiOrth not 20 be con
sldered as subjects for future colonization by any
European Power"
When we reflect that the views presented byY Mr.
Monroe in the first branch of the doctrine which
goes under his name, we're enunciated soon after
the American provinces Of Spain, following the
example Of the British colonies of North America
had thrown of the dominion OF the mother country
and formed republics upon the model Of the United
States, and at time when the Holy Alliance, then
IN iull Vigor, medtaed the establishment OF the
dominica OF Spain over her revoked colonies none
can deny that they emanated from noble impulse;
and we know that they received an enthusiastic
response in the hearts Of the American people
They we're intended TO SHIELD and defend the Young
republics just entering into the family OF nations,
full OF the assurance OF glorious future, against
the despotic Powers Of Europe which designed to
crush their young hopes, aud reduce them once
more 10 the state OF colonial vaSSslage from which
sword IN hand, they had so recently emerged.
What may be called the second branch Of the
Monroe doctrine, or, rather more complete deVel-
opment of the first, was intended 10 preserve the
new republics against the influence Of any further
lodgmenI Of the despodc principles of Europe, in
the form OF dependent provinces, in any OF the
unOccupied portions Of the New World In the
visions of the sages OF that day, the American
tinent was 20 become the chosen domicil of repub-
lcs-the Eden OF liberty, and the elder sister
prepared TO assume the Office OF sentIneat the gate
90 watch the approach Of the SCI pent Of despotsm,
which Nas seeking 10 enter only 10 begule aud
destroy.
The Powers Of the Old World had their system
OF policy aud government. The views promulgated
by Mr.. Monroe, elaborated and slightly extended
by Mr.. jefferson, were, that it should be iunds-
mental maxim with the republics Of America never
TO ehbroil themselves with tie affairs Of Europe
aud never 70 allow Europe 10 intermedde In Amer
lean affair; that the American continent, North
aud South, "had set OF interests distinct from
those OF Europe, and peculiarly her own; che