Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-07-27
The Monroe Doctrine.

There seems to be a vague public impress
sion that the Monroe doctrine is a restless
fury that will not cease to hurry US until
We warn France off the continent or drive
her away. MIR. Montgomery Blair, who is
not a very wise man, denounces the Govern
ment for its servility to the French Empe.
ror. Mr.. Harlan, the Secretary of the
Interior, wishes that it might be the will Of
God that we should fight for Mexico. A
great many other gentlemen also seem to
suppose the country to be stepping about in
a highly truculent mood, and, like the
Irishman, requesting somebody for the love
of Heaven to do him the favor of treading
upon the tail Of his coat. What then is
| the Monroe doctrine, and in what sense is
il binding upon the United States Govern
| ment.
The Monroe doctrine was an executive
| declaration never confirmed by Congress
| It was made at the instance of Mr.. Canning,
the British Prime Minister, 20 meet GER
tain emergency, which was the suspected
intention OF the Holy Alliance to restore
forcibly to Spain the American colonies
which had revolted and bad declared their
independence. In the course OF the mes
sage in which President Monroe alluded to
the subject, he said that any European
interposition TO control the destiny Of those
colonies would be viewed as the sign of an
unfriendy disposition toward the United
States lie also stated in another relation
1.-THE American continents were not to be
henceforth considered subjects for European
colonization. .. .-.
This was declaration which, as spe-
ci6c measure under the existing circumstan-
ces received the applause Of the liberal par
ty throughout the world but as the asser-
ton Of permanent national policy it was
never adopted by Congress, was never al
lowed by foreign powers. and has never
been the ground Of any decisive national
| action. But il is now claimed to be ne.
cessary tradition of our national conduct.
If be meant by this claim that we are
to regulate the internal condition OF Mexico
aud all the other governments upon the
North and South American continents, in
cluding Brazil, without special treaty with
them or application from them, it is simple
folly. Fit be meant that we are to guard
ourselves against evident .perils. there is nc
need Of giving mysterious name to m
, inevitable and universal policy. Every ma
ton has the right TO defend itself against
palpable danger. But to assume that tn,
presence of any European power upon these
continents" without regard TO the circum
, stances Of the case, is menacing to this
country is entirely gratuitous. Do we mear
10 declare that Mexico or Venezuela may
not invite foreigners at their pleasure =
And do we mean to decide for ourselves
I whether they have invited them or not 2
On the other hand, IL the peril be held /,
, lie not in the coming Of Europeans, but il
I the monarchical form of government, do WI
{ mean that we will tolerate no menarchiel
upon the continents? p In other words
> does the Monroe doctrine mean that We wi
:, regulate all or any OF the nations Of Nortf
Y and South America exactly as We choose
This is really the Monroe doctrine, as it i
. expounded in popular speeches and jour
y mails. The plea is, that our republican iu
stitutions are imperiled by the influence Q
a neighboring monarchy. But is republi
Q canism such puny system that it's influence
II does not az seriously threaten monarchy p
:, five wished to see France fatally weakened
~ we could not moro surely secure that resul
N than by encouraging her to make Mexico
Of French colony That is the clear psrceptio
Of the shrewdest French statesmen. The
W IA the instinct Of the French people; and ia
In Mexican expedition is, therefore, regarde
st as truly imperial blunder. The truth Il
:, that there is no European power that coul
lis colonixe upon these continents without ser
nd ously injuring itself
- The Monroe doctrine, as II Is popular
'rt preached, is merely the Infamous doctrir
ce Of the Ostend MAnifesto-that We may q
n, Us we please with our neighbors, even to a
sorbing thom. Aud this Is logical If '
al hsse right TO hold that q foreign gover
!" msat 10 Mexico y dangerous, .s have I
:. equal right TO believe the same OF dome
~ ic government there. Hfor eur seourit
N tn 49, % 81