The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-01

oh. yes the Monroe doctrine is involved
and what Is the Monroe doctrine? 1t Is
a pronunciamento made seventy years
ago by President Monroe, upon his own
respC visibility. that this Government could
not permit the monarchies OF Europe TO
set up monarchical institutions upon this
continent. IL was said notwithstanding
the fact that Canada. with monarchicai
institutions. bordered us on the north'
and Brazil. ruled by an Emperor, Dor
dered us on the south
Now. President Monroe announced TINS
as a cardinal principle OF American poh-
cy. and number OF newspapers nave
rehearsed his announcement. But snow
us where the Congress OF the '"''eu
States, which is the only authority 'hat
can declare a policy for this "o'e' "i'o"''
has ever enacted II as the Ia" Vi 'H''
land? AS one American citizen Inc ii''ieS
will never agree to any such prlhSiPie'
We have as much as We can 40 10 at'eHu
10 orr own affairs within the borders OF
tbeso 1rnited states. We have nothing TO
do Wit, tte countries of South America.
and they must maintain themselves or
fall as they are able.
TIE Monroe doctrine Is the sole ground
unon which this country can take part
in any contest that may arise between
England and Nicaragua. To JOIN MICA
rarua in that contest we must announce
that the United States will not permit
Eoropean monarchy to establish any foot
ing upon this continent There Is Oh
course, no principle Of equity or justice
In any ST ch position. 1t is arbitrary,
highhanded and dictatoriaL Can England
submit to the demand?
We do not see how she can do IT, We
do not see how she can permit the Ohl'eu
States to deny her right to 80 10 any
part of the earth that she pleases ouslde
the territory of the United States ana
establish there whatever conditions SUIT
her and the other people with whom she
deals. If the claim can be maintained
at all. it would logically involve right
upon our part TO prescribe the terms upon
which England might trade with other
countries, and it would even 20 the length
of authorizing us to forbid her trading
with the countries Of South America.
Could England concede any such claim
upon our part? It is preposterous to sup
pose that she could or would. She would
be bound to fight, and fight to the point
of imperlling her future existence, before
she could concede anything Of the sort
The jingoists and sensationalists may
very well carry this country along in the
present state of this case TO actual hos
tilties between this country and Great
Brain, when we know perfectly well thdt
the sober sense Of the American people
would overwhelmingly repudiate the whole
b, siness of the Monroe doctrine rather
than see this country involved in war
over 1t. Now is the time for Virginia 5
senators TO show the mettle that is in
them and render their country one Of
those old-time services which il was Nir-
ginia's won't 10 perform for the country
in old times. They are soldiers whose
brilliant courage has been proved upon
an hundred battlefields, and no man can,
therefore. suppose that they are afraid Of
war. Let them raise the standard of re-
volt against the false idea involved in
the Monroe doctrine, and let them preach
TO the world the incalculable advantage
to country Of peace over war. II is
only necessary for them 10 sound a
clarion note, and they will rally at their
back all the sound sense of the Ameri-
can people.