Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-09-19
1Gexleo-Monroe Doctrine.

The latest intelligence from Mexico makes it
pretty certain that, the power and authority OF
Juraez is about to come to an end, and that the
monarchy of Maximillian is essfully establish
ed over the whole of the empire. This collapse
seems to have taken the friends of the Republic
by surprise, for the reason, doubtless, that they
were much encouraged to hope for a favorable re-
suit by the fall of the Confederacy when they ex-
pected prompt Intervention on the part OF the
United States. Thisi hope has failed them, how
ever, and after few months of desperate and un-
equal struggle the dsorganize1 and unfortunate
Republic of Mexico has passed away before the
superior force and civilization OF France.
The Lynchburg Republican says that If war
should come out of this Mexican embrogllo, twill
be rather a lame excuse for the United States to
Justify it upon the grounds of the famous 'Mon-
roe doctrine" which is the plea of those who de-
clare that American supremacy must be heid at
all hazards over the whole of this continent; f; for
while that doctrine is in the mouth of all its cham
pions, it is really understood by but few. Mr..
Monroe asserted the doctrine that no foreign
or other monarchy should ever be established up
on this continent. He had no right to assert any
such thing, and power to have enforced 1t II ne
had asserted it. The purpose of his doctrine, as
announced in his message in 1928, had this ex-
tent and no France, Austria, Russia and
Prussia, forming at that time what is known az
the 'shoy alliance determined to interfere IN the
affairs of Spain, then in revolutionary state
England opposed this in the Congress OF Verona,
unless these powers would first acknowledge, as
she had done, the independence of the American
Republics, The holy alliance refused to do this,
and virtually announced it's purpose to crush re-
publicanism wherever it reared its head THIS
doctrine alarmed the government OF the Unlteo
States which thought it not improbable that these
great powers might undertake to extend their ar
bltrary control of affairs this continent, anu
thus endanger our own existence. Accordingly,
at tba o10 % yvh0 q
French army had effectually put down the Span
ish rev olution, MIR. Monroe, in his annual mes
sage, said ''In the wars Of the European poNers'
in matters relating to themselves, We have never
taken any part, nor does it comport with our pol
icy to do so 1t is only when our rights are lnva
ded or seriously menaced that we re sent injuries
or make preparations for our defence. with the
movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity
more Immediately connected, and by causes which
must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial
observers. The political system of the allied pow
ers is essentially different in this respect from that
of America. We owe it, therefore, to candor and
to the amicable relations existing between the
United States and hose powers, to declare that
we should consider any attempt their part to
extend their system to any portion of this heml-
sphere as dangerous TO our peace and SAFETY
With the existing colonies or dependencies OF any
European power we have not interfered and shall
not interfere. But with the Governments which
have declared their independence, and whose in
independence we have, ON great consideration, on
just principles, acknowledged, we could not view
any interference for the purpose of expressing
them controlling in any other way their destiny
by any European power, in any other light than
manifestation of an unfriendly disposition to-
wards the United States.'
Such is the whole extent of the famous s'Mon'
roe dootrine, and its intent simply to arrest
the pretensions of the combined powers OF Europe
: and to prevent them from endangering our nation
! al existence by stretching their power and au-
thorlty to this continent Monroe simply said to
them that, when assaed, we will defend ourselves;
that when threatened with an attack we will make
r ready for defence; that if the 'hoy alliance
should extend their system of destroying republics
D and liberal governments to this continent, will
: consider ourselves endangered and menaced and
would resist it in self-defence. But the s'holy al
lance has long ceased to exist-Maximillian was
e invited to Mexico-his government quietly set ur
there is no attack upon liberal principles, and
contains no menace to our government.