Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-11-26
THE MONROE DOCTRINE IN 1881
from the New York World

~.
Mr.. Kasson, the most conspicuous
republican candidate for tho speaker
ship ot the house of representatives, and
unquestionably one oi tie ablest OF the
republican leaders. takes up tho ques.
ton OF the proper foreign policy OF the
United States in the current number OF
the North Amer can Review, under the
title OF Tho Monroe Doctrine in 1881 !"
and handles it with refreshing vigor,
common sense and courage. It has be-
come the fashion OF late with certain
weaker brethren OF the press who affect
tue ludicrous omniscience and the Ian.
guild superiority to national interests
and emotions of one or two weli.known
London weekiies. to snssr at the Mon
roe doctrine as somsthing quite too
sloven!y and unhandsome to come be-
twixt the wind and the cosmopolitan
tendencies of this truly progressive age.
These ''esthesic'' views of public policy
are chiefly aired by semi-republican
Journals, and MIR. Kssson's manly and
thoroughly American article Is of special
interest a. showing that the masses Of
the republican party in the north and
west have not been estheticizsd out of
,heir national instincts sad impulses.
Like The circular recently addressed BY
MIR. Blame to the agents abroad Of the
department OF state. MIR. kAsson's ex-
position OF the Monroe doctrine of 1881
deals with tho facts Of our actual posi-
ton in the world and with the duties
growing out OF those facts. The object
aimed at by Mr.. Adams and MIR. Mon
roe In the celebrated declar alton of 1928
was finally and effeetually accomplish.
ed, perhape. with the election Of France
from Mexico alter the close OF our civil
war. 1t is not likely that any fnrther
attempt will be made in our time to es-
tabiish IN European political dominion
IN the New World, but as Mr.. Kasson
points out, the letter OF the Monroe doc.
trine leaves open the question of tho
right OF Europe to make colonial acqui-
sltions by war or by treaty. and one of
the perils involved in the attitude re-.
Gently assumed by Chill towards Peru
consists IN the tendency OF that attitude,
If acquiesced In. to invite such attempts
on the part OF other and non.AmerIcan
states. 1t is necessary that the United
States should close this question in the
sense of our town interests
and our own policy. Mr.. Kasson
goes to the peint, and vigorous.
ly. "It Is no longer for US question:"
hs says. ''oi despotism extending its
sphere of supremacy to America. It is
question now of commercial rivalry
and commercial advantages. Covetous
eyes are cast on outlying islands and
continental costs of Central and South
America. A steamship line Is prefer.
red to an army; canal to = fortilica.
ton; good harbor to strong citadel.
One Tar sighted government, eager for
the extension OF its foreign trade and
naval influence, has Initiated nexotia-
tion for the transfer to it OF seemingly
unimportant but really commanding
tract OF waste land. Tho weak govern.
ment approached may DO disposed to
yield. The islands of the Central, tho
Pacific aud the Southern seas h.ve be.
come objects Of special interest aud ex-
ANIMATION to more than one of the naval
and commercial powers OF tho O.d
World. AT least two Of the continental
powers have oeen looking diligently tor
new colonial stations across or in the
world OF western waters, The unhappy
xnd repeated dissensioDs and irreyulari.
ties OF ths Central and South American
states furnish too many occasions Tor
foreign Interference and foreign claims
of indemnity. Their resulting financial
condition offers 100 strong temptation to
relieve embsrrassmenLs oy the expro.
prlation OF territorial rights and privile-
ges 1t is easy to fnd occa ,iOn for a
naval war, If any European power de-
slres pretext for the seizure OF a port
or a territory. The recognized doctrine
OF war Indemnity stands 10 aid OF the
acqui sitive purpose. To establish co.
ionial dependency in America by treaty,
or as result OF war-these alternatives,
according to Senor Calvo, remain to the
European nations without vic atlng the
prime pie OF the Monroe declaration.
Europa would be missed by the accept.
ance OF that view, and still more deceiy.
ed by accepting it as indicating the prin.
cIpies distinctly held on thi. subject by |
tho United States during the last thirty !
years. There are islands aud bays and |
ports ana Lines OF communication which |
IL may yet cost US war to save to our |
interests, bat which could now be peace. |
lully saved. The tradition against the
poi:cy OF outlying possessions is. at this
stage OF cur history, simply imbccile.
Il belongs to a country OF lew resources,
-imld and trembling in presence ot some
great naval power. We have passed
hat stage OF our existence. We are rap.
dIy utilizing the whole OF our contl-
nental territory. We must turn our ewes
abroad, or they will soon look inward
ipon discontent. Touching the two
great oceans winch divide the world.
his republic should. like the Roman
anus, have two faces. regarding both
Europe and ASIA and the islands inter.
posed. 1t is the duty, alike OF her DO.
itlcai Interests and her wealth to con.
Meet tho waters OF the two s,as which
her coasts, and then to keep he
waters bright with her pas.
sing Eeels. The Spanish na,,ons OF thus
hemisphere are stlll hardly opened to