The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-03-04
The Monroe Doctrine.

The Monroe Doctrine.
What is known as the Monroe Doc
trine was originally declared by Presi-
dent Monroe in his message to Congress
on the I'd of December, 1928. There
were two paragraphs in that message,
the first of which related to the dispute
which had arisen with England respect
ing the northwestern boundary. In re-
ferring to this controversy, President
Monroe used this LANGUAGE:
In the discussions to which this interest has |
given rise and in the arrangements in which |
they may terminate, the occasion has been |
judged proper for asserting as principle in |
which the rights and interests of the United i
States are involved, that the American conti-
nents, by the free and Independent condition
which they have assumed and maintained, are
henceferth not to be considered as subjects for
future colonization by any European power.
Elsewhere in the message, speaking of
the condition of Spain and Portugal,
the President used this language:
In the wars of the European powers, in mat
ters relating to themselves, we have never
taken any part, nor does it comport with our
policy so to do. 1t is only when our rights are
invaded or seriously menaced, that we resent
injuries, or make preparations for our defense.
With the movements in this hemisphere we are
of necessity more Immediately connected, and
by causes which must be obvious to all enlight-
ened and impartial observers. The political
system of the allied powers is essentially differ
ent in this respect from that of America. This
difference proceeds from that which exists in
their respective governments. And to the de-
Tense of our own, which has been achieved by
the loss of so much blood and treasure, and
| matured by the wisdom of our most enlightened
| citizens, and under which we have enjoyed an
unexampled felicity, the whole nation is de-
voted. We owe it, therefore, to candor and
| the amicable relations existing between the
| United State and these powers, to declare that
we should consider any attempt on their part
| to extend their system to any portion of this
| hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and
| safety. With existing colonies or dependencies
| of any European power we have not interfered
| and shall not interfere. But with the Govern
ments who have declared their independence,
| and maintained it, and whose independence we
| have in great consideration and on just princi-
| Piles acknowledged, we could not view any in
| terposition, for the purpose ofoppressing them,
| or controlling in any other manner their desti-
nies, by any European power, in any other light
than as a manifestation of very unfriendly dis
| position towards the United States. In the
| war between these new Governments and Spain
| we declared our neutrality at time of their rec
| ognition and to this we have adhered, and we
| shall continue to adhere, provided no change
| shall occur which in the judgment of the COM
petent authorities of this Government, shall
make corresponding change on the part of
the United States, indispensable to their secur.
ity.
This message was delivered, as we
have said, in December, 1928. 1t was
two years after the death of Napoleon,
and the representives of the Holy ALI
ance were actively bestirring themselves
in behalf of the divine rights Of Kings
and the expediency of Interfering in
this hemisphere to restore. to Spain her
revolted American colonies were can
vassed. There was active interference
by France in behalf of Ferdinand VII.
of Spain against the demands of the
people who were calling for Constitu-
tional Government. At that time Mr..
Canning, the English Minister, asked
Mr.. Rush, the American Minister at the
Court of St. James, care the great po-
litical and commercial interests which
hang upon the destinies of the new Con-
tinent to be canvassed and adjusted in
Europe, without the cooperation, or
even the knowledge of the United
StatesT' This question, reported to
President Monroe, was submitted to
Jefferson and Madison. Their advice
coincided with the Presidents views,
and according to Mr.. Calhoun, the
words of the message were written by
Mr.. John Quincy Adams, the then
Secretary of State.
This is the doctrine. 1t is doctrine
simply. One writer briefly, and not in
accurately. sums it up as the doctrine
which, according to the popular con
struction, forbids any European Power
to establish a colony on the American
continent" Another speaks of it as
"simply the extension to all the polite.
al communities of the New World, Of
the declarations made by our ancestors
, for the British colonies in l771, that
they we're 'and of right ought to be free
and Independent States.'" 1t has not
passed into the Constitution. It has not
even taken the form of law. 1t is moi
J part of the International Code. 1t ii
simply statement of policy and belief
. enunciated originally by one President
I but subsequently endorsed by statesman
after statesman, party after party, con
, vention after convention, President after
President. Its existence is both symp
tom and proof of the uneasiness anG
/ the dread with which Republicanisn
: contemplates the presence and in1u
ence on this continent of the mon
9 archial institutions of the Old World