Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-01-13


hour. Its appearance in to-day's issue is
somewhat late, but still it is "better late
than never"
The Monroe Doctrine.
The last annual message of President
Monroe, sent to Congress on December 2,
1923, contains tho following two passages:
cat the proposal of the Russian Imperial
Government, made through the Minister of
the Emperor residing here, a full power and
instructions have been transmitted to the
Minister of the United States at st. Peters,
burg to arrange, by amicable negotiations,
the respective rights and interests of the
two nations on the northwest coast of this
continent. A similar proposal had been
made by his Imperial Majesty to the Govern
ment of Great Britain, which has likewise
been acceded to. The Government of the
United States has been desirous, by this
friendly proceeding, of manifesting the
| great value which they have invariably
attached to the friendship of the Emperor,
and their solioitude to cultivate the best un-
derstanding with his Government. In the
discussions to which this interest had given
rise and in the arrangements by which they
| may terminate, the occasion has been Judged
| proper for asserting, as principle in which
the rights and interests of the United States
are involved, that the American continents,
by the free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintain, are
henceforth not to be considered as subjects
for future colonization by any European
powers
II.
sit was stated at the commencement of
the last session that great effort was then
making in Spain and Portugal to improve
the condition of the people of those coun-
tries, and that it appears to be conducted
with extraordinary moderation. 1t need
scarcely be remarked that the result has
been so far very different from what was
then anticipated. OF events in that quarter
of the globe, with which we have SO much
intercourse, and from which we derive our
interested spectators. The citizens %, of
the United States cherish sentiments
the most friendly in favor of the liberty
and happiness of their fellow men on that
side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the
European powers, in matters relating to
themselves, we have never taken any part,
nor does it comport with our policy to do SO.
1t is only when our rights are invaded or
seriously menaced that we resent injuries
or make preparation for our defence. With
the movements in this hemisphere we are of
necessity ne more more Immediately connected, and
lightened and impartial observers.
The political system of the allied Powers
Is essentially different in this respect from
that OF America. This difference proceeds
from that which exists in their respective
governments. And to the defense of our
own, which has been achieved by the loss of
30 much blood and treasure, and matured by
the wisdom of their most enlightened citi
zens, and under which we have enjoyed unex
ampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted.
we owe, therefore, to candor and to the
raI n
United States and those 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 the existing colonies or
dependencies of any European Power we
put with the governments who have de-
clared their Independence and main
tanned 1T, and whose Independence we
have. on great consideration and
on Just principles, acknowledged, we
could not view any interpretation for the
purpose OF Expressing them, or controlling
IN any other manner their destiny, by any
european power, in any other light than as
the manifestation of an unfriendly disposi-
ton toward the United States. Inn the war
between those new governments and Spain
we declared our neutrality at the time of
their recognition. and to this we have ad-
hered, and shall continue to adhere, provided
no change shall occur which, in the iudO-
ment OF the competent authorities of this
government, shall make n corresponding
change on the part of the United States in
dispensable to their security.
"The late events in Spain and PortuoaI
SHOW that Europe is still unsettled. OF this
important fact no stronger proof can be adj
duced than that the allied powers should
have thought it proper, on principle salts
FACTORY to themselves, to have interposed
by force in the internal concerns of Snain'
10 what extent such interposition may be
carried on the same principle is a question
to which all independent powers whose
governments differ from theirs are in
terested, even those most remote, and
surely none more 30 than the United
States. Our policy in regard to Europe,
which was adopted at an early stage of the
wars which have so long agitated that
quarter of the globe, neverthe-
less remains the same, which is not to in
terfere IN the internal concerns of any of
tts powers 10 consider the Government de
iacto as the legitimate Government for us /;
to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to
preserve those relations by frank, firm and
manly policy meeting, in all instances, the
] lust claims of every power, submitting to in |
1uries from none. But in regard to these
conspicuously different. 1t is impossi.
bic that the allied powers should ex-
tend their political system to apy portion |
OF either continent without endangerinp |
our !, peace ana happiness; nor can any one |
believe that our Southern brethren if left to |
would adopt it of their own ac-
cord. II Is equally impossible, therefore.
that we should behold such interposition, in |
any form, with indifference. If we look To- |
the comparative strength and resources of |
Spain and those new governments, and their |
y distance from each other, it must be Obvious
lnat she can never subdue them. 1t is still |
the true policy of the United States to leave |
the parties to themselves, in the hope that |
other powers will pursue the same course.n !
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