, 1880-02-11
THE MONROE DOCTRINE,

9AACo ~ Nus HoW DtcOlHU tF!uClt LlNL
considerable party in Congress intends to
set up the "Monroe doctrine" as basis of
opposition to the construction of MI inter-
oceanic canal across the 1stlmus Of pn,,nn,a
bya French company, 1t Is Important TINT
every one should acquire rs clear notion M
Is possible Of the character, force, and bear
ing Of that doctrine.
In his annual message to Congress In De-
cember, 1873, President Monroe stated cer-
tain general principles which have since
been accepted by NIL parties rs tie policy Of
!. this Government In relation 10 foreign rnlo
on tic American Continent, modified, OF
course, by tho Interpretation put upon NIr.
Monroe's declaration and tho circumstances
to which that declaration was to bo applied.
The principles lnftl down by the President
were called forth BY the pending proposition
for the settlement Of tho Northwest boun.l-
nry, which WIS to determine the relative
possessions of Great Iritaln, 1lusstn, and the
United States. Tho most significant OF OIr.
Nlonroe's uttcrnnccs were the following:
"In tho discussions to which this interest hns
given rise, md In tic arrangements by which
they may terminate, tho ocCaston hus been
Judged proper for asserting, rs principle In
which the r1ghta md intarDats Of tho Uultnd
Suites aro involved. that the American Con-
tinents, by tho free aud Independent condition
which thoy havo assumed and matnt,ln, arc
honccforth not to bo considered rs SUBJECTS for
future colonization by my EuropOAn Towers.
"Woowc 1t, therefore, 10 ca,ldor aud to tho
amtcabla rclntions existing between tho United
6tates and those Powers to declare that VIC shall
consider any attempt on THAR PRrt to cxtcnd
their system to any portion Of this hemisphere as
dangerous to our peace and safety, With the
existing colonies or dependencies Of any
European Power wg have not inturfcrcd and
shall not Interfere. Hut With the Governments
Who hAvo declared their Independence aud
maintained It, and whose Independence wo hive
gu great confederation 1iid on lrst principles
acknowledged, We could not view any intcrp0-
ssllon for tho purpose Of oppressiug them or
controlling In any other manner the!r destiny By
my European Power III any other light thnn rs
the manifestation Of IN untrienday disposition
towards the United States.
sour policy In regard to Eurnpo, which was
adopted Mt HI early Btago Of the wars which
haye 50 long agitated that quarter Of tho globe,
nevertheless remains the sarne, which u not to
iuterfere III tho Internal concerns Of any Of !ts
Powura; TO consider the Government do fucto ~
the Legitimate Government for us; 10 cultivate
friendly relations with It, and to preserve those
relations by fr,Inkt frnl, and manly pulley,
nesting Ia nll fnstunces tho Just clanA Of every
Power, submitting tn injuries from none. But
in regard 10 these continents circumstances Rro
cMlnc,ltly and consp!cuausy dferunt. 1t IL
Impossible that tho allied Powers should oxtond
tAoir polftieAl system to any portion Of either
continent without clitiAngcrfng our prncc and
hnpp!ness; r,r can my ono belere that our
Southern brethron 1t left to themselves would
adopt It Of their own Accort. It IL equally I'M
possible, therefore. TINT we should behold such