The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-26
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The signs of the times, it must be adj
mitted, are rather portentous, and if
Coming events cast their shadows be-
fore, then have we had shadows enough
Of late to warrant the belief that the
events are not far in the background.
We do not believe that the President
has made any one the repository of his
eecrets-or that any person knows what
his intentions are, or what course he in
tends to adopt in regard to the French
interference in the affairs of Mexico;
still the papers are full of rumors, and
men high in authority, some even be-
Longing to the Cabinet, and others, lead
ers in the army, have lately made very
bold enuncations, in language too plain
to be misunderstood, that decided pol
icy is about to be developed in regard
to what is called the Monroe Doc.
trine, but which should be more pro-
perly termed the American Policy
The march of large army to the
frontier is the most significant indication
that our neutrality in the affairs Of Mex
leo is about to terminate. This army is
needed for no other purpose on that from
tier. 1t is certainly not required to pa
city Texas--a single brigade would an
swer that purpose; nor to protect the in
habitants against the Comanches-a
squadron of dragons could destroy all
the Indians that would dare to venture
forth from their mountain Businesses;
nor can it be to prevent an invasion OF
Texas by the Franco-Mexican forces
for no such event was ever feared. Then
what is it for? The answer is evident.
"A demand will be made upon Maximil-
ian to withdraw and if he refuses, our
bold raiders will cross the Rio Grande,
Join their forces with those of Jaurez,
and with that sturdy little Indian at their
heaa, penetrate to the capital, restore
the constitutional Government, and re-
main there till it is established beyond
the peradventure ola doubt.
President johnson has been ominous-
ly silent upon this question, and every
effort to draw him out has failed; but
we know what his opinions are, for he
freely expressed them on accepting the
nomination for Vice-President, upon 8
platform which fully recognized the
binding force of the continental policy
! on the American people. The Presiden
IS one of those men who never forget
anything; and he has not lost sight O
the fact, that, but for the insurrectior
breaking out, and our apparent inabili
ty to prevent the invasion of Mexico
and carry out our well known policy
with respect to this continent, while we
had to contend with one of the most ter
,ible rebellions that the world has evel
witnessed, Louis Napoleon would neve
have daret to attempt an extension
hisNapoleonic ideasto this continent. l
was an insult to America; and an accept
able apology, ample reparation, and full
atonement must be made for it. Tn
independence of Mexico must be guar
anteed, as well as that of every othe
portion of this continent, and perhap
indemnity may be sought.
Wehave no fears of war with France
The Monroe doctrine will be enforced
without anything more than show G
force. France will concede it freel,,
when the demand is made; for the EN-
peror is wise enough to know that he ha
everything to lose and nothing to gail
by war. The nations of the earth com
bined would be powerless to wage wa
against the United States, upon her ow,
soil; and we don't propose to cross tn
water to meet our foes in Europe. Witt
our present navy, we could destro,,
every transport that might venture t
approach the American coast wit
troops. We can cope single-handed wit
the navies Of the world-and blockad
every port of Mexico in the Gulf or o
the Pacific, and prevent supplies reacl
ing the French troops, or bar their
cape from the country. But it is usele
to speculate upon matter that may
any moment be fully developed. 1t
however, not venturing much, to pr
uhesy that ere three months have passt
away, Maximilian's Government wi
have been superseded in the capitol
Mexico, and the American policy full
established with regard to this Cont
nent.
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