Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-19
The Monroe Doctrine as Regarded by Eng.
1.- land and SPAIN

From the londcn Times, Nov. IS.
Since the struggle between Spain snd her rebel
lious colonies finally died out, attempt has been
made to assert, by force Of arms the Supremacy Of
the Old World over the New. We wer5, all of us,
TO say the truth more or less converted to the doc
trne of $ manifest destiny" new world has been
called into existence to redress the balance Of the
cid and SO the old had, not unnaturally felt itself
disposed from any attempt to redress the balance
Of the new. The colossal power of the United
States evershadoWing Canada on the North and
Mexico and the States Of the Gulf the South, so
clearly to itself the disposition of all matters on the
continent Of America, that it seemed useless to in
terfere with the affairs of communities all destined
or later, to absorption in the Tsst and grow
ing republic. If we wanted q convincing proof that
the tide had turned, and that we were entering on
course of new and unforeseen events we find in the
fact that the three powers who possess the coast OF
Europe Immediately across from America have en-
tered into convention which binds them to DIT out
and send joint expedition for the purpose Of de-
mAnding from the republic Of Mexico more sfica-
ciOus protection for the persons and properties of
their subjects, well as the fulAment Of all obi
gati0ns contracted towards them.
Knowing the very limited resources of which
the authorities Of the Republic of Mexico can dis
pose the chronic anarchy which has 80 long visited
that unhappy country, the alterations of plumber
which have wasted its wealth. and the exceedingly
precarious position Of which ever faction may for
the moment be predominant, we DO not believe that
these forces go to meet any very formidable or OBJ
stinate opposition.
We do not expect that the allies are about to act
over again the exploits of Herman Corez, and con-
solidated empire 70 confront them and the Mexican
authorities well know that in ease Of resistance,
they are but the precursors of force which would
render resistance absurd. We cannot doubt that
the troops Of the three nations 90 to dictate their
own terms, and that whatever those terms may be
they must Of necessity be complied with. The main
difficulty may very possibly be found to consist in
finding government with which to negotiate, and
which will remain in power long enough 10 per-
form the articles of the treaty.
II, indeed, we were to apply the principle which
! Is urged on behalf of the United States that we
have no right to claim that Mexico should treat US
better than she treats herself we should be with
out excuse for our expedition for each government
has uniformly repudated the acts OF its predeees-
scr, and the peaceful citizen has been alternately
| the victim Of both.
The case however, ia so extreAle that We cannot
consent 70 % governed by such criterion Next
co has treated as III she treats her oWn citi
zens, and what worse can possibly be said Of her
We want in this case something more than the priv
ieges Of citizens, something more than the priVil-
eyes OF the most favored nation; for in Mexico ali
who come in contact with her bands of remOrse-
less robbers are plunderedSand murdered alike.
There are two nations which will regard this ex-
petition with very different feelings. Spsin will
naturally see in it substantial proof that she is
rapidly regaining the place she once occupied in
the front rank amid the Powers of Europe She is
admitted a. q confederate by two States which as
pire to control the destinies of the world. She
must also feel peculiar pleasure in beholding3the
portion of the colony which flung off its allegiance
to her forty years ago, and comparing it with her
own. The Spanish nation seems almost to renew
its youth, while the apparently vigorous aud pros
porous colony has fallen into more than servie de-
crepItHde.
| The States Of the American Union on the other
hand, cannot but view the presence Of the troops Of
England, France and Spain on the continent of
North America with feelings Of modification and
distrust. England 80 long lectured with the Mon
roe doctrine. and Spain whose fairest possessions
in the New World America has 50 long looked on
as about to become her own, have announced the
intentiSn of doing themselves justice by armed in~
PREVENTION. without seeking the appreciation
of the United States. Il is true that the CoAVen~
ton reserves 20 the United States the liberty of
joining with the three European powers, and that
sort of apology is offered fer this course by the
suggestion that if the Convention were not imme-
diately concluded its objects might fail through de-
lay. Still il can hardly be concealed that torn by
intestine disorders and wasting in mutual destruc>
ton that strength which once was consolidated in
support of their foreign policy, the United States
Occupya less important position thaa IN the days Of
their union and their strength. No ungenerous ad-
VAntaGe has been will be taken Of this but it Is
impossible not to feel that great nation is seeking
to eacs itself and that considering the short
Of time which has elapsed and the small amount of
blOodshed which it has undergone, its endeRVOrs
have been crowned With q very considerable
amount of sucCess,