The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-07

President Johnsen ON the Monroe
Doctrine - Republican Installations
Throughout tho Continent OF America.
If any one has imagined that the President
did not cherish and intend to adhere to the
Monroe doctrine, or, rather, to what we should
now call the American doctrine, he will be I'M
deceived by reading the following language,
addressed to Mr.. Salzar, the Colombian Minis
ter, when that gentleman was officially taking
leave Of the President, two or three days ago.
President johnson said, "Do not omit to assure
the President of Colombia that the United
States adhere to their republican principles
constantly, and especially to their policy of
seeking to preserve, through peaceful course,
the establishment of free institutions through
out the American continent, and the develop
ment Of the vast resources with which it has
been beautifully supplied by an Advise Pro-
whence for the general benefit of mankind"
These words are very emphatic, and have the
stamp of Mr.. Johnson's own mind, force of
thought and purpose in them. They are not
like the oracular utterances of his Secretary of
State, which are mere glittering generalities or
ambiguous expressions. They leave no doubt
on the mind as to their meaning, and the occa-
sion on which they were spoken could not have
been more appropriate.
The republic of Colombia, which Mr.. Salzar
represented, is keenly alive to the designs and
croachments lately of European and monarchi-
cal governments on the American continent; and
she recently united with other republics in
South and Central America in bond and de-
claration of mutual support against such en-
croachments. These republican States natur-
ally became alarmed at the invasion of this
continent by European Powers and the bold
attempt to destroy sister republic, and they
combined together in determined resistance to
these foreign enemies of democratic institu-
tons. President Johnson, knowing this, and
agreeing with them in their purpose, availed
himself Of such an excellent opportunity as the
retirement Of the Colombian Minister to ex
press in forcible manner, his own sentiments
and the sentiments of the country.
"Do not omit to assure the President Of Co.
lombia that we adhere to republican institu-
tions, and assure him especially that our policy
is to preserve them throughout the American
continent" are significant and strong words
from the President Of this great country at the
present time, and in view of what is passing
around us. They were addressed directly to Mr..
Salzar to inspire hope and courage among the
republics of America; but they were intended,
doubtless, for others also-for the Emperors
Napoleon and Macmillan, for England, Spain,
Brazil, and for all the European and monarchi-
cal plotters against republican institutions in
America. Mr.. johnson Is not man who says
unmeaning things or what he does not mean,
and there is no question but that his language
to the Colombian Minister is q decided re-
assertion of the Monroe doctrine, and that IL
expresses in a courteous manner the fixed
policy Of our government
The President spoke Of carrying out this
policy through peaceful course. What else
could he say? He hopes to avoid war. He
hopes that the immense moral weight of the
United States will have the effect Of inducing
European Powers to withdraw from this con-
tnent without war; but they must not sup
pose this country would suffer them to remain
rather than go to war. There are not hun
dred men in the United States who would
entertain such a thought for a moment, and
no President nor party would venture to
speak of such thing. We have felt and
realized our power within the last four
years. Within that period we have attained
position in the eyes of the world that it would
have taken fifty years of peace to attain. The
destiny of America must be left to us. Orr
position demands it. And all European and
monarchical influences must he Withdrawn.
In view of this inevitable destiny we would
ask England if it would not be better for her
to go back to the old policy laid down by Mr..
Canning and enunciated by Mr.. Monroe. an
to leave America to the Americans? And we
would suggest to the Emperor Napoleon 70 re-
new his proposition for congress of nations,
to which the United States, as one of The first,
should be invited, to enable him to gel out OF
his Mexican dilemma peaceably, and to set
tie at once and forever all the threatening
questions that will otherwise arise with
regard to this continent. Let us have the
congress to enable France, England, Spain
and every other monarchical government
to leave, thus avoiding war, and establishing
perpetual peace between the two hemispheres.
BEGINNING OF THE FALL TRADE.-On every
hand indications are observable of the opening
Ct 4.