Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-04

very general and lively interest in the
development of our national policy under
the circumstances. Il is conceded that
the establishment of French rule in Mexico
is threatening to our Government, and that
if Napoleon is suffered to proceed undis-
turbed in his work, he will unite with the
South in efforts for the destruction
of the Union. There is even more
danger Of Intervention now that
the Federal Government is man
Testing its capacity for speedily subdu-
ing the rebellion, than there was when
the result looked more doubtful. So long
as there was prospect that our civil war
would rend the nation, foreign rulers,
jealous Of our growing power, could afford
to wait that result but when the rebel
armies are being destroyed or captured
and the rebel territory rapidly occupied
BY the Federal armies, tnen France or
England will accept the first opportunity
which promises success to make our
destruction more sure.
While it is q characteristic Of the Amer
lean Government to be lenient and for
bearing, and to go as far as sslf-respect
will allow in avoiding national entsngle
ments, the ."Monroe Doctrine" is con-
stantly looked upon as our controlling ma
tiOnal principle, to be adhered to with
frmness. As this policy may be frequent
ly referred to in the complications Of the
future, it win be interesting to briefly al
lude to the origin of the term.
About forty years ago, the allied pow
ers of Europe were proposing to aid Spain
in reconquering her South American col
onies. The British authorities sounded
Mr.. Rush, the American Minister to
London, as 10 his powers and disposition
to join in any step which England might
take to prevent hostile enterprise on
the part Of European powers against
Spanish America" Taking advantage Of
the subj ject being thus pressed upon the
attention of our Government President
Monroe, in his annual message Of 1923,
asserted
aAs principle in which the rights and
interests Of the United States are involv-
ed, that the American continents, By the
free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintain, are
henceforth not to be considered as subjects
for future colonization by any foreign
power"
After declaring that the United States
would never take part in the wars Of the
European powers among themselves, he
stated that with regard to movements in
the Western hemisphere we were necessa-
rily more intimately connected. Speak
ing then Of the differences in the systems
Of Government between Europe and Amer
lea, he added:
awe owe it, therefore, to oandor and TO
the amicable relations existing between
the United States and those powers, to de-
clare that we should consider any attempt
on their part to extend thGr system to
any portion Of this hemisphere as danger
GUS to our peace and safety. With the ex-
listing colonies or dependencies Of any Eu-
ropean power We have not interfered, and
shall not interfere. But with the govern
ments who have declared their indepen-
dence, and maintained it, and whose inde
pendence we have, on great consideration
and on just principles, acknowledged, we
could not view any interposition for the
purpose Of expressing them or controlling
in any other manner their destiny, by
any European power, in any other light
than as the manifestation Of an uufriend-
ly disposition towards the United States.
It is impossible that
the allied powers should extend their po-
litical sympathy to any portion Of either
continent, without endangering our peace
or happiness; nor can any one believe
that our Southern brethren, if left to
themselves, would adopt it Of their own
accord. Il is equally impossible, there
fore, that we should behold such interPO-
sition in any form with Indifference"
It viii be seen at once that the French
invasion Of Mexico is in direct hostility
to the Monroe Doctrine. This is clearly
seen by the officers of our Government.
As long ago as March last Secretary
Seward addressed circular letter to the
several American Legations abroad, giving
the views of the President upon the Mexi-
can question. BE speaks Of the assuran-
oes Of the allies who were about to invade
Mexico England and Spain were at first al
lied with France in the expedition that the
sole object was the redress Of grievances,
and adds these important statements: F.
Nevertheless the President regards it
his duty to express to the Allies, in all
kindness and candor, that a monarchiesl
Government established in Mexico, in the
presence Of foreign fleets and armies, oc-
oupying the waters and the soil Of Mexico,
has no promise Of security or permsnence;
in the second place, that the instability of
such a monarchy would be enhanced if the
throne were assigned to person alien to
Mexico; that in these circumstances the
new Government would instantly fall IN
less sustained by European alliances,
shich, under the influence Of the first in
vasioa, would be practically the beginning
of q permanent policy Of armed interven-
tion by mOnarohicsl Europe, at once iDju-
rious and inimical to the system Of gov
ernment generally adopted by the Ameri-
can continent.
"These views are based upon some
knowledge Of the opinions and polidosl
habits Of American society. There can be
no doubt that in this matter the perms-
nent interests and the sympathies of our
country would be on the side Of the other
American Republics.
ave must not DO understood as predict
ing on this occasion the course of events
which may ensue, both in America and
Europe, from the steps which are cOntem-