The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-03-15
The Monroe Doctrine.

Much is said in these days of French
interference in Mexico and Spanish ef
forts to increase the boundaries of that
effete monarchy upon this continent and
its adjacen. isles, about the Monroe Doc
trine. but very few who repeat the phrase
so glibly know much about the doctrine
itself. For the information of The pub
lie we publish that portion of Mr.. Mon
RoE's Message which relates to foreign
interference with the affairs Of this con-
tinent:
From President Monroe's Seventh Annual
Message, December I'd, 1923.
1t was stated. at the commencement
of the last session, that a great effort was
then making in Spain and Portugal 10 i'm
prove the condition of the people Of those
countries and that it appeared to be con
Quoted with extraordinary moderation.
II need scarcely be remarked that The re
suit has been, so far, very different from
what was then anticipated. or events
in tba, quarter of the globe, with which
we have so much intercourse, and from
which we derive our origin, we have al
ways been anxious and interested spec
tators The citizens Of the United States
cherish sentiments the most friendly in
favor Of the liberty and happiness Of their
fellow men on that side of The Atlantic
In the wars Of the European powers. in
matters relating to themselves, we have
never taken any part, nor does i comport
with our policy to do so. 1t is only
when rights are invaded or seriously
menaced, that we resent I'M uriss. or make
preparation for our defense. With the
movements in tins hemisphere we are OF
necessity more Immediately connected,
and by causes which must be obvious
to all enlightened and impartial observ
ers. The political system of the allied
powers'is essentially different in this res
pect from that Of America. This differ
ence proceeds from that which exists in
their respective governments. And to
the defense of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood
and treasure, and matured by the wis.
dom Of their most enlightened citizens,
and under which we have enjoyed un.
enampled felicity, this whole nation is
devoted. We owe it, therefore, to can
dor. and to the amlcable relations exist.
ing between the United States and those
powers, 10 declare that we should con
slider any attempt on their part 10 extend
their system to any portion Of this hem
isphere rs dangerous TO our peace and
safety. With the existing colonies or
dependencies of any European power we
have not interfered, and shall not inter
fere. But with the governments who
have declared their independence, and
maintained it, and whose independence
we have, on great consideration, and on
just principles, acknowledged, we could
not view any interpostion for the pur
pose of depressing them, or controlling
in any other manner their destiny, by
any European power, In any other light
than AS the manifestation Of an unfriend
" disr osiion toward the United States.
In the war between those new govern,
menis and Spain, we declare our neutral
ity at the time Of their recognition, and
10 this we have adhered, and shall con.
tinue to adhere, provided no change
shall occur which. 10 the judgment Of
the competent authorities OF this govern.
ment, shall make corresponding change
on the part Of the United States indis
pensable TO their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal
show that Europe is still unsettled. OIL
this important fact no stronger proof can
be adduced, than that The allied powers
should have thought proper. on prn-
cIple satisfactory to themselves. to have
interposed by force in the internal affair
Of Spain To what extent such inerpo
stion may be carried, on the same prin
ciple, is question to which all indepen
dent powers whose governments differ
from theirs, sre Interested even the
most remote, and surely none more than
the United States. Our policy in regard
10 Europe, which was adopted at an early
stage OF the wars which have SO long az.
iialed that quarter Of the globe. neverlhe
less remain the same, which is 10 no.
interfere in the internal concerns Of any |
Of its powers; TO consider the government
DE- fqcto as the Legitimate government for
US; to cultivate friendly relations with it
and to preserve those relations by a
rank. firm and manly policy meeting
n all instances, the just claims Of every
power, submitting TO injury for none
But IN regard to these continents, cir
ums'ancss are eminenrIy aud conspcu