The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-21
The Monroe Doctrine.

Since the project of building an inter
oceanic canal across the isthmus Of Pana-
ma, to unite the Atlantic aud Pacific
oceans--an enterprise Of foreign projec-
tion-much discussion has been provoked
upon the subject in this country. Many
believe that il would be in violation Of one
of the great doctrines Of this country, set
forth in message of President Monroe,
and known as the "Monroe Doctrine"
As frequent allusion has been made re-
Gently to the "Monroo Doctrine its poll
ey often misstated, for the benefit of our
readers We give below, from "Gillet's De-
mOcraey,' what that doctrine is, and the
events which called il forth
All South, and part ofNorth America. had
long been held rs Spanish and Portuguese
provinces. Before Mr.. Monroe became Pres.
ident these provinces rebelIed against Spain.
and set up governments Of their own, which
they were able to maintain if they competed
with TIE mo,her-coun;ry alone. To enable
them the more easily TO control at home and
among themselves, several European govern.
ments formed combination, which they
ehristened the "Holy Alliance" This ALI.
ance dictated TO European governments wher.
ever il dared, and had the power to compel
obedience. While those composing il con.
lined their acts 10 their own countries and 10
their immediate neighbors, our country neither
felt alarm, nor took exception TO their acts.
II matiered nothing TO us il they issued man
dates, and others chose TO obey. Oar Gov.
eminent had no eognizance OF the matter,
however much It doubted the legitimacy Of
the whole proceeding. 1t was their business,
not ours. But they soon turned their atten.
ton to the American Continent Spain could
not regain control over her provinces without
help from Europe; and the propriety Of ex.
| tending aid TO her soon became 4 subject of
discussion, which our Government feared
might ripen into action. These provinces,
now republics, had sought 10 follow our pre-.
eedent in establishing new governments.
They naturally looked to US for eountenance,
II not for active support. When their gov.
ernments had assumed regular forn, our Gov
eremeht promptly recognized them as belong
ing TO the family OF nations. This added 10
their moral strength. Further, it was neither
right nor polite for US to go. The ..Holy
Alliance had interposed by force in spain
to determine who should rule there. ihev
might go further, and attempt to dictate IN
the new South American states. The Amer
lean feeling was aroused. Mr. Monroe, in
his annual message ia 1923, spoke for our
people. He said:
"fhe hate events in Spain and Portugal
show that Europe is still unsettled. OF tbis
important fact no stronger proof can be ad.
duced thanihat the allied powers have thought
proper, on principle satisfactory TO them.
selves, TO have interposed by force in the ia.
ternal concerns Of Spain. To what exten,
such inlerPosltion may be carried, on the
same principle, Is question to which all in.
1 dependent powers, whose governments offer
from theirs, arc interested, even those mo,l
remote and surely nona more so than the
United States. Our policy in regard 10 Eu
rope, which was adopted at an early stage OF
the wars which have so long agitated thai
quarter OF the globe, nevertheless, remain,
the same, which Is, not 10 interfere In the in.
tefnai concerns Of any Of lis powers; 10 con.
sider the government de facto as the leeiti.
mate government for US; to cultivate friendly
relations with il, and 70 preserve those rela.
tons by frank, firm, and manly policy;
meeting, in all instances, the Just claims Of
I every power, and submitting 10 injuries from
none. But in regard to these continents. cir.
cumstances are eminently and eonspicuousiv
different. Il Is impossible that he allied
powers should extend their political system %
any portion Of either continent without en-.
dangering our peace and happiness, nor can
sny one believe that our Southern brethren, II
len TO themselves, would adopt il Of their own
accord. IL Is eqRauy impossible, therefore.
that nc should behold ssch Interpretation, IN
any fora, scith indifference
SO important, ia the public estimation, were
the words we have quoted, that, to the present
day, they are kuown and referred to as ssThe
Monroe Doctrine