The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-03

different uoition and he can establish authortatiyeIy
no such principle without the Oo-cpsTaton OF Con
Press. He may recommend, nut the Legislature
alone can sanction and enforce his vieWs- We ought
sir, years ago by Congressional interposition, to
have made this system OF policy an American sys-
TEN, by solemn declaration, and II we had done so,
should have spared our elves much trouble and no
little modification But we let the time pass by with
out our high responsibilities leaving inn
portant interests to be the sport Of circumstances
snywby this indifference to . measure urged upon
US BY 70 many grave consderssionsf The honor.
other day that this doctrine was an abstraction,
and had, therefore, found no favor with Congress
Sir, 1T was never an abstraction. There never was
a moment when its resolute confirmation by Com
GEES would not have been Of the highest importance
TO the honor, the interests and the safety Of our
country. The Legislative confirmation would have
been no more an aDstIact declaration than the ex
ecntiye Recommendation, Both the one and the
other we've demanded by the gravest considerations
No, SIR it was not the fear OF distractions which
interfeFed between Congress and the good work. 1t
was some underlined apprehension that II we spoke
adhered to them they would be words Of terrible
import to our country. am happy to believe that
timdty is giving way to wise hrmness-
Here the Senator from New York (Mr. Seward)
asked leave to interrupt Mr.. Cass, for the
purpose Of inquiring under what circumstances
this doctrine had been heretofore presented and dis
CT ssed in the Senate. To this Mr. Cass replied
that the circumstances connected with Mr.. Mon
roe communication ale wen knOWu anu YIVpcIy
called for the consideration and action Of Congress
but it found neither. When Mr.. Polk adopted and
renewed the declaration, the Oregon controversy
was pending, and it was peculiarly lifting occa
sion for union CT the legislative and the executive
powers in order bring this great work to its con-
summation. Still, nothing was done. And now
this subject is again brought before us by another
President, and with view to its direct bearing upon
the discussion in which we find ourselves engaged
with England. Some years since, and believe upon
the occasion referred to by the honorable Senator,
the debate in the Senate was brought on BY resoiu-
tioLs introduced by myself, affirming the CONCUR
was fruitiess in any useful result, and thus this
American nrinrs,i~ he. h---. -" ,-o' d;.tnn
as Lord Clarendon calls it, and will never fructify
until il receives the sanction OF the federal legsla
tuIe. .
Tie honorable Senator from New Hampshire,
lMr. Hale) in the remarks he made upon TINS sub
expressed by Mr. Calhoun, in the Senate,
in relation to this doctrine, and main
taired that no general principle Of action
were limited to the preservation OF the independent
States Of Spanish origin, from the grasp OF the
Holy Al lance as the union Of various despotc pow
ers to put down popular demonstration was called.
The Unholy Alliance would have been its proper de-
sigDation.
There is no doubt sir, but that the threatening
pect Of affairs in relation to these Spanish States
and the known project to bring them under the do
mlnion OIL some BOURBON prince, WAS tnc pTOHllleut
cause which led Mr.. Monroe to ;nterpose upon that
occasion. Circumstances do not create principles
They call them into action. Circumstances occurred
which directed the attention of the American go
yestgated not only its line Of action but the ground
upon which that could be justified; and the result
was this well known declaration. In our position
il is one Of the great elements Of cur strength and
Of our means OF selt-delence. 1t is perpetual as
well in its obligations as in the security it brings
with it. II intorteled with no existing rights but
looked TO the future with view to guard that from
danger.
the world as his doctrine, the American doctrine OF
American self preservation. 1t is now sought to
degrade it to a mere Temporary expedient, living
while the Holy Alliance lived, aud dying with the
death OF that unprineipled league. Now, sir, Mr.
Monroe is the best expositor Of his own views
Hear him. In his annual message Of 1924 when
the danger from the Holy Alliance had passed away
he said, renewing bis mmendation, that we had
to or Beighbols our situation is difficult. 1t is i'm.
possible fcT the European governments to interpose
in their concerns, especially in those alluded to
which are vital without affecting u.s.
Ent sir. We have another witness to introduce
whom no American can hear without respect and
gratitude, the writer of the Declaration of indie
pe,dence, the patriarch OF the democratic faith, thu
Statesman and patriot second only to Washington
| in The estimation OF his c0untrymen Mr.. Monro,
during his whole Presidency was in the habit Of the
most confidential communication with Mr.. Jelier
upon all questions of serious concern. He con
suited bin upon this subject. and here follows tn
answer, dated October a. 1928. Never were senti
ments sonnder in themselves more beautifully
pressed
Is The meL.eus which ever been offered to
my conitn pa'iop, since that Of lndep ndepce. That
made ration; This sets Our compass and points the
ccur which We ore TO seer through The ocean OF ne
And could embak il under circumstances
apspicious Cur fist emo fundamental maxim shoald be
to ents, gle ourselves in tte b. oils Of Europe 0ul
I'LL
atlantic STARS Arefica North and south, has set q
interests di,tnc from those Of Europe and peculiarly
separate and apart that Of Eurcre the las: is ibor
ing to lecoue the domiee Il despotisu enleayoi
fhould surely be to make our hemisphere that of fee
dom.
And now there are those who would mar the mag
ncent figure of Mr. Jefferson. by controvertipg hi
ocean Of time into mere duck pond, and his funda
mental maxim, never " to suffer Europe to inter
NEEDLE VI it'll cs-atlantic affairs" into the historical
recollection of temporary project to save our neigh
boring States from 4 blow aimed at that time at
their safety, and all danger from which passed away
as suddenly as II had arisen.
And there Is another voice from the tomb which
speaks the same conirmatory language respecting
the doctrine-the voice Of one whose memory will
live upon the pages Of history and in the hearts
Of opr couniymen, az long as true genius and ele-
waited patriotism shall find admirers.
In 1926 Mr.. Clay, then Secretary of State, in a
letter to Mr. Poinset says that the then President,
Mr.. Adams, who was Secretary Of state when Mr-
monroe advanced DIS uoctTlHe, COluClueS III UOtu
principles (non-interference and anticolonzation }
" which were laid down after much and anxious de-
liberation on the part Of the late administration.
The President, (Mr. Ada1ns,) who then formed a
part of il, continues to coincide with both and
you will urge upon the government of Mexico the
utility and expedency OF asserting the same princi
PIES on al proper occasions"
II is obvious, sir, that Br. Calhoun was under q
Misrepresentation in relation to the views Of Mr.. Mon
roe upon this subject. lie himself stated that his
recollection OF II was imperfect, and that il is
hey ond al contradiction. He considered that the
declaration of Mr.. Monroe had reference to speci-
fic case, tthe Holy Afliance) and stopped there
"Mr. Monroe" he added twas a wise man, and had
no design OF burderng She country with tasA u
couId not perform. lie knew there was a broader
declaration made by the gentleman then Secreta, (
Of state NC. What M. Calhoun here alluoed TO, l
profess my inability to comprehend. No declaration
could well be broader than that Of Mr.. Monroe and
whatever agency or advice Mr.. dams may have had
or given in the matter, its responsible paternity
rests upon the Chief magistrate. / have reason to
believe that Mr.. Adams anxious for the measure
t1f,tw 4. n