Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-04-11
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.


Tested itself in one manner and another, the
Monroe Doctrine" has been invoked and
been declared the policy which the Govern
ment Of the United States was determined to
maintain at every hazard. The present con-
dition of affairs in Mexico, the invasion of
that Republic BY the armies and the blockade
Of its ports by the navies OF France, and the
thrusting OF German Emperor upon a
French-built throne, seem TO call, more
loudly than any previous act Of uSurpation,
for the assertion Of that doctrine. There can
be no doubt, that had the Government been
unembarrassed BY the civil war, which calls
for so heavy drain upon the war-like re-
sources OF the country, the Mexican affair
would never have been quietly allowed to
have progressed to its present stage. Even
crippled to the degree that the nation now is,
the American people have become exasper-
ated BY this European insolence to such
pitch OF resentment, that the signs of the
times indicate the strong probability OF
SPECIFY ueClaLallOn VI IOSLIlINlSS Al VI
the so-called Monroe doctrine. The latest
dispatches from the East leave no room for
doubt that such a rupture must soon occur.
As this Monroe doctrine is so frequently re-
ferred to in political debates, and as we do
no, recollect having lately seen publication
Of the exact declarations Of Mr.. Monroe,
known as the Monroe Doctrine, it may not
be uninteresting TO many Of our readers to
give the exact language Of that famous mani
testo. II occurs in the Seventh Annual
Message of President Monroe, delivered to
Congress on the ID day OF December, a. D.
1923, and is as follows:
1t was stated ~ the commencement Of the SEES
sion that i great effort was then naknsin Spain
and Portugal 10 improve the condition of the
people of those countries, and that IT appeared 20
be conducted with extraordinary moderation 1t
need scarcely be remarked that the result has
been so far. very different from what WAS then
anticipated OF events in that quarter OF the
globe with which we have so much intercourse.
and from which derive our origin, we have
ALWAYS been anxious aui interested spectators
The citzeus OF the Uai;ed States cherish Sentt-
merts the mos; friendly in favor of the liberty
and happiness Of their fellow men on that side OF
the Atlantic. In the wars Of the European pow.
eEs in matters relating TO themselves, We have
never taken any part, nor does 1t ccmp"rt with
our policy TO 10 SO. 1t is only when rights are
invaded or seriously menaced, that we resent i'll
iuEies, or make preparation for our defense Nith
the movements in this hemisphere we are Of ne
cessitv more immediately connected. and Oy
causes which must be obvious TO all enlightened
and impartial observers. The political system OF
the allied powers IS essentially different in this re-
spect from that OF America This difference pro-
cceds from that which exists in their respective
governments Aud 20 the defense of our own.
which has been achieved by the loss Of 50 much
blood aud treasure. and Tiatured by the wisdom
of their most enlightened citizens. ami under
which we have enjoyed uneNampled felicity. this
whole nation is devoted. We owe 1t, therefore.
20 candor. and 20 the anIicab!e relations existing
between the United States and those powers, t.
declare that we should consider any attempt on
their part 20 extend their system 10 any portion
OF this hemisphere as dangerous 10 orr peace aud
safety. With the existing colonies or dependrn'
cies of anv EuToPeUn power We have nor inter
fered. aud shall not Interfere. But with the gov.
ernmen,s who have declared their independence
and maintained ii. and whose independence we
have on great consideration, and on just princ
lies. acknowledged. we could not view any inter
position for the purpose OF depressing them, or
controlling in any other manner their destiny, BY
any European power, in any other light than ~
the manifestation OF an u2frieudy disposition -.
/
those new Governments and spain. we declared
our neutrality .: the time of their recognition,
and TO this We have adhered. and sl9Il continue
10 adhere. provided no change shall occur which,
in the Judgment OF the competent authorities "f
this Government shall make corresponding
change on the part OF the United States indispch.
sable TO their security.
The late events in Spain aad Portugal show
that Europe is still unsettled OF this important
fact no stronger proof can be adduced, than that
II. -. i sf
on principle satisfactory 10 themselves to have
inte-poseG by force in the internal concerns Of
Spain. To wha: eEIeut sUch ini,rpoSiii"u may
be carried on the same principle is question to
which all independent powers, whose govern
meuts differ from theirs, are Interested; even
those most remote, and surely none more so than
the United States. Our policy in regard t" Eu'
rope, which was adopted n an early stage OF the
wars which have so long asitated tina, quarter Of
the globe. nevertheless remains the same, which
Is no: TO Interfere in the internal concerns OF any
OF its powers: TO consider the government, dc
fdcto. as the legitimate government for u: 20
culliva;e friendly relations with IT, and 20 preserve
those relations BY frank. firm. and manly poll
cv; meeting. in all instances, the just claims OF
every power. submitting 20 injuries from none.
But in regard TO these continents, circumstances
are eninsntly and conspicuouSiy different. L. is
impossible that the allied powers should extend
their political system 10 any portion OF either
continent without snlangcrlnS our peace aad
happiness: nor can any one believe, that our
Southern brethren II Jeff TO themselves, would
aiop, il Of their own accord Il is equally inpOs-
,iblr therefore, that we should behold such inter
position in any form, with indifference. II We
look TO the comparative strength and resources Of
spain and those new governments, and their dis
lance from each other. it must be obvious that She
can never subduc them II * still the true policy
of the United States TO leave the parties TO them
selves in the hope that other parties will pursue
the same course.