Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-20
SHALL THE MONROE DOCTRINE



In Europe one dominating question con-
tinually controls International action, that
question is usually formulated as "the bal
ance of power The object of action taken
IN reference to this subject has been to pre-
vent any one State from attaining an emf
hence that might endanger the national
existence of the other States. The operation
OF this system has been seen, for instance, in
the continued check given to the aggressive
efforts of Russian ambition. Isolated from
European complications, the United States
have taken no part in the "balsnce of power"
policy as it regards Europe, nor have events
rendered it necessary to construct similar
policy far-the-kvs,~-s~-,rs ,'s~ss.ssaF. It Il q >
been found necessary, however, to establish a
policy which should protect this whole
American continent from interference on the
part OF European powers that might be dis
posed to acquire and hold territory on this
East Indies, and as France holds
Algeria. The United States initiated this
policy when, after the battle of Waterloo,
they informed the "Holy Alliance of the
European powers that any attempt on their
part to re-establish the power of SpaiH over
her revolted colonies on this continent would
be resisted. That policy was made perma-
nent when the Monroe doctrine was pro-
claimed to the world Hitherto the Monroe
doctrine has had passive compliance on the
part of Europe. The odious Louis Napoleon
thought TO extinguish it when he took adj
vantage OF our civil war to attempt to estab-
lish Mexican monarchy, with the unfor-
tunate Macmillan atits head. The opposi-
ti5n of the United States brought disaster on
that scheme, and thus gave a prominence TO
the Monroe doctrine that excited jealous
feelings on the part of the European govern
ments against it. The commencement of the
construction of the canal across the continent
at Panama has brought the doctrine to its
test point. The opening of that canal car
ries with international consequences that are
too important not to arouse the desire of the
with it in some authoritative manner
Especially England, as the principal naval
power, claims rights of interference which
are inconsistent with our national policy of
Stands off" on the part of the European
governments. Together with the wish to
destroy the principle announced IN the Mon
roe doctrine, there is dislike, on the part of
the aristocracies and monarchies of Europe, to
the United States, country that has taught
the world that peace, order and prosperity
can exist in great nation without the aid of
the lord, hertzog or king. The monarchies
hate country whose inventiveness and in
dustry has deprived them of a monopoly of
manufactures, and whose supplies of cheap
food are lowering the rents of the lords of
the soil. In many ways the American repub-
lie is an eyesore to the governing class of
Europe, and glad would it be to humble the
United States, and to lessen their prestige
by a successful crusade against the
Monroe doctrine; and this they ex-
pect to do by Selling the opportu-
nifty developed through the International
relations involved in the opening of canal
across the Isthmus. Month by month the
crisis comes nearer when the people of the
United States will be compelled to decide
whether they will, or will not, support and
stand by the principle announced in the
Monroe doctrine. Whether the American
continent is to be left open to interference,
aggression and conquest on the Fart OF the
European powers; or whether they will or
ganize and maintain a bslance-of-power sys-
TEN as against Europe. The blundering of
our representatives in Peru and Chill, and
the manner in which our government in the
Blaine manifesto recently urged the Monroe
doctrine, has placed us at some present dis
advantage, but putting aside the mere acct
dents of manner and laundering, can the
American people afford to renounce the prin-
ciple proclaimed by Mr. Blaine, and the
claims that principle suggests? Let us in
agIne England governing one portion of this
continent, France another, and Germany an
other, each endeavoring to stretch its do
main, extend its power and increase its trade,
and what would become OF the prospects and
the prosperity of the United States? This is
question every American should ponder and
decide upon. We have much to think of if
we decide that the Monroe doctrines shall
stand, and therefore no European power shall
interfere on this continent or acquire posses