Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-12-12
years since we announced to the world
that we should resist any attempts from

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that we should resist any attempts from
whatever quarters they might come to
make any new colonizations on any
part Of the American continent; that
while we should respect the status quo,
we should protect the people of the
different nations inhabiting this conti-
nent from every attempt to subject
them to the dominion of any European
power, or interfere with their undis-
turbed exercise of the rights of self
government. This announcement was
formally made by President Monroe,
after consultation with Mr.. Madison
and Mr.. Jefferson. 1t was formulated
by John Quincy Adams. Our govern
ment has firmly adhered to the Mon
roe doctrine; and even so late as 1865,
it warned Napoleon Ill out of Mexico.
1t is impossible to fOresee in the re-
cent scramble of the European powers
for the acquisition of colonies how
soon
AN OCCASION MAY ARISE
for our putting In practice the Monroe
doctrine. 1t is clear that there ought
to be some relation between our asser-
ton Of that doctrine and our prepar-
alton to maintain it.
1t is not intended to recommend any
attempt to rival the great European
powers in the creation of a powerful
navy. The changes W hich have rapid
ly occurred by the diminution of the
relative resisting power of the defen-
sive armor of IRON clads and by the
increased efficiency of modern artillery,
which ON the whole has gained in the
competition, suggest that we should
not at present enter largely into the
creation of armored vessell. In the
questions that beset this subject until
they shall reach solution, we can
content ourselves with adding but
sparingly to our navy. But what we
do add should be the very best that
science and experience can indicate.
This prudential view is reinforced by
the consideration that the annual
charge of maintaining war vessel
bears an important proportion to the
original cost of construction.
In constructing permanent fortifica-
tions and in providing for an ample
supply of the best modern artillery, the
annual cost of maintenance is incon-
siderable, nearly the whole expendi-
ture is in the original outlay for con-
struction.
If we do not make the expenditure
necessary to provide for our sea coast
defenses when we have a surplus and
have
NO NEED TO LEVY NEW TAXES,
we certainly will not make these ex'
penditures when we have no longer O
surplus in the treasury.
To leave our vast interests defense
less in order to reduce the cost d
whisky to its consumers would be q
solecism. The present time is pecu-
liarly favorable for providing for the
great national necessity too long neg
lected. Not only does the surplus ir
the treasury supply ample means tc
laying new burdens upon the people
but the work can now be done at {
much lower cost than has ever before
been possible. The defensive works
would consist almost entirely of stee
and iron. These materials can now b.
had at unprecedentedly low prices. A
vast supply of machinery and of labo
called into existence by great vicissi
tude in the steel and iron industrie
offers itself to our service. We shoult
! nave the satisfaction of knowing tina
while we are availing ourselves of th'
supplies which would ordinarily b.
unattainable we are setting in motor
important industries and giving Elm
ployment to labor in period of de
preston. With encouragement by tn,
guarantee of work, or perhaps by TIT
government itself furnishing the plant
the inventive genius of the people
would be applied to the creation OF new
means and improved machinery, ant
establishments would spring into ex
istence capable of supplying all of tn,
national wants and rendering us com
pletely independent of all other coun
tries in respect to the means of nationa
defence. l endeavored to impress
these ideas upon Mr.. Randall the las
time l had the pleasure of seeing him
With my highest regards to Mrs
Cal Isle and yourself, l remain, yer!
truly yours, s. J. TILDEN.
To Hon. JOHN G. CARLISLE.