Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-01-26
For the Delaware Gazette
WHAT is THE MONROE DOCTRINE

Over forty years have elapsed since the
of the opinion that the sub
jugation Of American republics, by Euro
pean monarchs, was detrimental TO the
interests aud dangerous to the perpetulty
Of the government of the United States.
1t was no hasty act of Dir. Monroe s,
when, in 1923, he called the attention Of
the eighteenth Congress to this important
subject.
Europe was but Just recovering from
one of the most terrific commissions the
world had ever known. That national
frenzy. which had buried up the First
Napoleon till the combined artillery of
the allied hosts was laundering at the
very gates of his capital, was sinking to a
hickering blaze Western Europe, look
ing away from the smOldering mine of her
desolated provinces, saw, over the brlny
wave, Il new star arise. She beheld peo-
pie rapidly becoming famous without the
glittering tinsel Of royalty. She looked
with wonder and ast0nishment upon free
America Spain, long suffering under the
most debasing serVitude, was the first to
initiate the Western Republic. Graded
to the verge of despair, she arose under
the inspiration of liberty and proclaimed
to an astonished world her title to rank
among the Independent nations of the
globe. She formed for herself constitu-
ton. She abolished the InquisitiOn, es-
tablished the freedom of the press and the
liberties of her people. The liberal world
was delighted. She received the hearty
congratulations of the United States, Of
England, of Germany, even Of despotlc
Russia and fckle France.
But scarce had the germ of liberty, so
nobly planted. had time to rear It's BASH
full head above the ruins of oppression,
when the Holy Alliance crushed the
tender plant beneath the jugernaut of
war Twas cruel blow, a cowardly act
Elated with this success, and thIrstIng for
empire, the powers composing the Holy
Alliance were looking toward Mexico
and South America. as rich fields for con-
quest Twas then that the people of the
United States through their president.
Mr. Monroe, gave their opinion IN such
language as could not be misunderstood.
In the wars Of the European powers,
said the President, in matters pertaining
to themselves, we have never taken any
part, nor does It comport with our policy
to do So It is only where our rights are
invaded, or seriously menaced, that We
resent injuries, or make preparations for
defence But we owe it to candOr, and
the amicable relations existing between
ourselves and those powers, to declare,
that we would consider any attempt on
their part to extend their system to any
portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety. It is impossible,
therefore, that we should behold such in
terposition, in any form, with Indifference.
It is still the true policy of the United
States to leave the parties to themselves,
in the hope that other powers will pursue
the same course.
This, in brief, is the history and essence
of what is now denominated the Monroe
Doctrine. Austria headed the Holy Al
lance Now, as then, 'tis prince of the
means of French bayonets, to foist him
self upon the unwilling Republic Of
Mexico
In his message Governor Anderson
levels the shafts Of his ridicule at the
Monroe Doctrine. 1t suits as very well,
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