Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-04-11
NO.2S--SO7.

sound principles of international law.
1t was originally intended as a deelara-
tion against the pretensions of Russia
and Great Britain. This is what Pres.
Woolsey says in his work on "Interna-
tional Law"
"The territory of a nation, or that
portion of the earth over which it eXer-
cises the rights of sovereignty, may
have begun to pertain to it in variety
of ways: /. From occupation Of land
which was before vacant,and from pre-
scription, public and uninterrupted. 2.
From occupation by colonies or other
incorporation of land before occupied.
3. From conquest accepted as fact
and at length ending in prescriptive
right. 4. From purchase or from gift.
At the time Pres. Munroe made his
declaration there was not foot of land
on this continent that was not dominat-
ed over by civilized nations by virtue
of acquisition under some one of the
methods mentioned above. The point
is this as more clearly stated elsewhere
by DIR. Woolsey: While the United
States cannot under the law of nations
prevent other nations from gaining ter
ritory and planting colonies when no
danger would result to il on account of
proximity it can resist, under the law
of nations, attempts of foreign nations
to alter the constitutions of states on
this side of the water that have been
established. Lewis Cass, in addressing
the United States Senate on the 2Sth
of Jan. 1856 says:
"To colonization by purchase, treaty,
or rlawful conquest, the Monroe doctrine
was not intended to apply, however it
may have come to be considered in these
latter days"
Mr.. Polk's administration adhered
steadlastly to the Monroe doctrine, as
appears in the controversies about the
northwestern boundary. But in Mr.
Cass' speech referred to above there is
an explanation OF the causes which led
to the enunciation of the Munroe doe
trine. The leading countries of the
continent of Europe had formed a Holy
Alliance. England did not enter into
this Alliance, neither did her leading
statesman, Mr.. Canning, sanction the
scheme of the congress of European
sovereigns at AK la Chapello in 1915,
to assist Spain in bringing into subjec-
ton the revolted Spanish colonies in
America, and he expressed willing
ness to join with Mr.. Rush our ambas-
sador to England, in protest against
any interference on the part Of other
powers in the controversy between
Spain and her revolted colonies. 1t
was in the prospect or possibility Of
armed Intervention in the Independent
states of this continent that President
Munroe declared in 1928 that 'swe
should consider any attempts on their
part, ii. e., of the allied powers) to ex-
tend their system to any portion of this
hemisphere as dangerous TO our peace
and safety" 1t is clear from some Of
the speeches made in Congress and ut
teranees elsewhere that people are dis
posed TO attach too much meaning to
the doctrine. 1t grows out Of the prin-
ciple of self-preservation and extends
no farther. Besides, it was never in
tended to become fundamental or ira
ditionary policy OF the government 1t
to meet particular juncture
Of events, and when the circumstances
that gave rise TO it changed it ceased
to be of any effect.