Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-25
The Monroe Doctrine.

The SO called "Monroe Doctrine" which
Is now giving so much trouble to the Diplo-
matte world is one in which we as people
socially are deeply interested, but national
ly it concerns us most vitality. It was laid
down by Mr.. Monroe to be guide for the
future representatives of these States and
was prompted by an instinct Of self-preser-
walton. which animates every individual as
well as nation. When Mr.. Monroe in his
message in 1928 declared that s:the Ameri-
can continent by the free and independent
condition which they have assumed and
maintained are henceforth not to be consid-
cred as subjects for future colonization by
any European power" we can see but one
single construction which can be placed
upon the language, and that is that no for
eign power has right to assume protec-
torate or establish a colony on either Of the
continents, without the consent Of all the
parties to the record. This doctrine as
promulgated by Mr.. Monroe, was admitted
by England and Russia, and indeed by the
all of the Holy Alliance. who by this agree
ment virtually became parties to this record
and hence they if no others are bound by it.
But laying aside these abstract principles of
justice and appealing to common-sense ar
gument, and it must appeal to the common
sense Of every one, we cannot see the pos
sible shadow of right by which England
claims this privilege. She has no more
right to establish colony in Central Amer
lea than have the Americans to establish
one in British India and we presume that
no lengthy discussion would ensue if such
an attempt were, but she would defend her
rights by that appeal, which though the last
is not the least resort. England however
with her usual complacency wishes to place
it in the light Of a protectorate, but no pro-
lection is required by the weak until some
aggression has been made by the strong and
that the policy Of the United States towards
Central America has ever been conciliatory
no one who has at all observed her proceed
ings for moment doubts. 1t seems then
that there is no more necessity or lawful
ness for British protectorate in Central
America than there is for American pro-
tectorate on the shores Of Ireland and indeed
from the many advances of the latter, we
presume that we could establish protecto-
rate there with much more certainty of a
kind reception both from the inhabitants
and the neighboring nations than can Eng
.land in Central America.
But we believe that the policy Of Eng
land is much deeper than has been promul-
ged or suspected. It is known that Cuba
is prize for which America has long been
wrestling nor are the Cubans averse to an
annexation to this Government and Eng
land seeing this manifestation has determi-
ned to secure by diplomacy a rich inheritance
for which she is afraid to try by force. It
becomes us then as nation to watch vigil
lantly her sneaking steps and be prepared
for either emergency. For our part we be-
lieve that the Monroe Doctrine should be
maintained to the strictest letter and we
shall be averse to any departure from it and
should it come to an appeal to arms for
decision, it will only afford us long wish
ed for opportunity of enforcing our rights,
avenging our flag, and securing to oursel-
YES the territory to which the manifest des-
tiny of the U. S. Points.