Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-03-12
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.


"grand mass meeting" to be called for the pur-
pose "of protesting against the Intervention Of
European monarchies in the American Republics,
Of re-o,6irming the principles Of the Monroe doc
tine, and Of insisting ats rigorous application
By the United States Government" Several Of
the speakers, most Of them being foreigners by
birth, gave expression to the motive of the meet
ing by denounoing the alleged designs of Louis
Napoleon in Mexico as being ultimately aimed at
the United States, and calling on the Administra-
tion to tolerate no " Intervention" of European
Governments on the American continent AT the
conclusion of the cratorical part of the meet
ing committee was appointed to interpret the
" "sense" Of the assemblage. The committee con-
sists of the following names: Francis Lambert,
Debuchy, Leconee, Petit Jean, Dietz, Kojapofski,
Faider, Marchese, Kapf, jacobson, Koch, Breek,
Stoppelbein. As these names have rather foreign
sound to ears, it has occurred to us that most
Of the gentlemen whom they designate have no
very accurate knowledge Of the real terms and pre-
else purport Of the Monroe doctrine" in whose
authority they profess to speak, and for infdelity
to which they halshly arragn the Administration.
1t is only just to say that their ignorance on this
score would seem to be comparatively excusable
when 80 many who have had better opportunities
for obtaining correct information are found to
labor under the same msapprehension with regard
to the real language and the actual bearing of the
declarations made by President Monroe in the year
1928. We have repeatedly sought to place these
declarations on their true historical foundations, as
preserved in the documentary history Of the country,
and thus rescue them from the misconceptions and
the misrepresentation to which they have been
made tributary in the latter years of the Republic
The declarations made by Mr. Monroe in his an
nual message to Congress in the year 1928, and
which have been subsequently condensed and trans
muted into what is popularly called the Monroe
Doctrine" two-fold, relating to entirely differ
ent subject-matters. The first announced as prin-
ciple of public law which our Government would
henceforth hold to be applicable to the American
Continents, that no part of their surface was open
to occupation or settlement by European Powers
rs waste and derect territory, liable to be claim
ed and held by right of discovery. This portion
of the "doctrine" had been previously affirmed
in negotiation with Russia concerning the North
west coast Of this continent, in which President
Monroe directed the ground to be distinctly taken
that "the American continents, by the free and
condition which they had assumed
and maintained, were thenceforward not to be con-
sidered as subjects for future colonization by any
European Power" In his message of 1928 he
merely re-sfirmed this "principle of public law"
having reference to derelict territory. He affirm
ed nothing in exclusion of the right of European
Powers to acquire territory on this continent by
purchase or conquest
The second branch of the Monroe Doctrine"
is expressed in the following words:
In the wars of the European Powers in matters
relating to themselves have taken any part
does it comport with policy to do IL is only when
invaded seriou menaced that
injuries, make preparation for our d. fence. With the
movements in this hemisphere we of necessity
Immediately connected and by which must be Oh
vIous TO all enlightened and impartial observers The
political system of the Allied Powers B essentially differ
ent in this respect from that of America This difference
proc eds from that which exets in their respective Govern
nents And to the defence Of own which has been
achieved with much expense of blood and treasu and
maured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens
and under hich have oyed most pied felicity,
this whole nation 10 devoted. We 1t therefore, to
candor and to the amicabe relations substng between
the United Staes and these Powers to declare that
should consider any attempt their part to extend their
system any portion Of this hemsp dangerous to
our peace and safety With the existing colonies depen.
dences of any European Power have not interfered
and shal not interfere But with the Governments who
have declared their and nained il, and
whose independence hive, greet consideration and
just prir cpes could not view any in
trposton for the purposs OF expressing th-m, con-
trolling any other their destiny by any European
Power, any other light than the mnniies alton Of
States,
between these Governments and Spain declared
neutrality at the tine OF their coguition, and t. this
have adhered and shall continue 20 dhere provided
change shall which, in ih judgment OF the
peteDt hoes Of this Government, shall mike
spending change the part OF the United States indpen
sable to their security"
The intelligent readers of this jouraal can be at
loss to interpret the meaning Of this declaration
by Mr.. Monroe. 1t certainly will not be seriously
contended that the President by these statements
meant to declare that the erstence despoc Govern
ments or monarchical institutions on the American
Continent was dangerous to our peace and happi-
ness" for if this had been his intention, he would
have stopped half way in his duty as patriot and
statesman by recognising, as he does, the exist
ing colonies aud dependencies" of European Pow
ers. Whatever one may think as to the reality of
such danger, it is plain that Mr. Monroe enter
tanned no apprchensons on this point at the time
he made this declaration. Moreover, such sup