Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-12-02
The Monroe Doctrine.

During the few years past much has been
written aud said In regard to tho enforce
ment Of the "slonroc Doctrine In our in
tercourse with Mexico, and other States ~
Ing south Of the United States, on the con-
tlnents Of America. And Notwithstanding
all that has been said and written on the
subject, no question Of national Importance
Is so little understood, or has been so long
and so persistenIly misrepresented, and mis-
understood as he Monroe Doctrine; What
il II, and how II shonld be enforced, seems
wholly unsettled and left to conjecture by
politicians and political writers OF the
present day; by some the Monroe Doc
trinc is made to mean that the United States
Is bound to stand guard over the interests
of all the nations inhabiting the continents
of North and South Americn, and protect
them from encroachment or Interference
with, by European powers. Whilst there
are others, who claim that the enforcement
of the Monroe Doctrine, would require the
United States to prohibit and prevent the
establishment of monarchy in any of the
American governments-wonld require the
United States by an armed intervention, to
guarantee TO the people of Mexico, re-
publican form of government, thus destroy
ing and abolishing The present government
established and in full force in the present
Mexican Empire. We nrc honest in our
convictions, that both of these versions OF
the Monroe Doctrine are vicious and false,
and if carried into practice, would be the
means of finally destroying the present form
of government so wisely adapted to the PEG,
pie Of the United States-would be radi-
cal departure from that line of conduct
laid down for aur guidance by the "fathcr
of lis country who warned us Of entang-
ling alliances, and interference with the
internal affairs OF other governments.
We wish to correct these errors, and from
reliable data give n fair and truthful expo
sition, not only Of the Monroe Doctrine, but
also the method Of It's enforcement, AS I'M
de,stool by Mr. Monroe himself, and those
who were most conversant with the suffice,
at its inception; Mr.. Monroe in his Annual
Message, addressed TO Congress, in Deem.
Der 1923, speaking Of the negotiations then
pending between The United States and The
Imperial Government OF Russia, for the
settlement of the rights and interest oil the
~ AZ
North America, uses the following language:
sIn tie discussions to which this interest
has given rise, and in the arrangements by
which they may terminate, the occasion has
been judged proper for asserting, MS a prin-
ciplc in which the rights and interests Of
the United States are involved, that the
American Continents, by the free and indie
pendent condition whic they have assumed
and maintained, are henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for future coloniza-
ton by any European powers" This is
Just what Mr.. Monroe said in his message
10 congress-this is the Monroe Doctrine, as
announced by its author, and is the only
official announcement we have from him on
this subject. No more colonization by Eu-
ropean powers on the continents Of America,
is what Mr.. Monroe announced to congress
as the future policy for the government of
the United States to pursue in her inter-
course with these powers; nothing is said
about the United States asserting a right to
intervene, or in any manner interfere in
the administration of the different govern
ments established on the Americon CONT
nents, nor did Mr.. Monroe pretend to assert
any right in the United States to settle and
determine the kind of government that
should be established in the Different Amer
lean States. And were Mr.. Monroe living
to day, he could but be profoundly aston
ishcd, at the perversions of his theory of
the working of the government of the
United States, in its relations and inter-
course with foreign nations, and above all
things, would lie be astonished tohear him
self quoted as the author Of doctrine that
would justify the United States in making
war on Mexico, because her form of gov
eminent does not suit the people of the
United States.
When Mr.. Monroe sent his message TO
congress, as we have stated, Mr.. John Q.
Adams was member of his Cabinet, fill
ing the important post of Secretary Of
State, and as such having charge Of the
official communications from the United
States to all foreign nations, and must,
therefore have been perfectly familiar with
the Monroe Doctrine from its very incep-
ton. We will now quote from Mr.. Adams,
President of the United States, The having
sn seeded Mr.. Monroe. in the Presidential
ofiice,) who, in a special message to con-
gress in April 1925, after referring TO, and
approving the views OF SIC. Monroe as ex-
nrnsaed IN lia moesapp toucltiup Euronean