The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-04-08
JAMES MONROE.

many interpretations, and hence it is
that newspapers and individuals hold
ing Numerically opposite views are
alik quoting the famous deliverance in
support of their own positions, and some
are giving to it all the Importance that
would be accorded q solemn treaty be-
tween nations or a part OF the written
law. For the benefit of those who have
never read the message in which the.
| passages now so often referred to &C.
Cured the essential sentences are here
r~eproduced:
We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the
amicable relations existing between the Unit
cd States and those powers composing the -
called holy alllance), 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 end
| safety. With the existing colonies or depend
| encies 1t any European power we have not
ihterfcr.d and shall not interfere. But with
the governments who have declared their in
dependence and maintained it, and whose in
dependence we have on great consideration,
and on Just principles, acknowledged, we could
not view any interposition 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 disposition toward the United
States.
The occasion for this message was the
proposed action of Russia, Prussia and
Austria, the three powers composing
''the holy alliance" The alliance was
formed in 1915 for the avowed purpose
of protecting and spreading the Chris.
tian religion, but really to check and, if
possible, stop the rising tide of repub-
licanism which had not only become
well grounded in America, but had got
a very good start in Europe. 1t was pro-
posed among other things to restore
Spanish dominion in South America.
France had thrown its weight with the
allied powers, and England had been
asked to do SO. 1t was England's refusal
which led to Monroe's enunciation, and
it is doubtful that he would have been
go outspoken had it not been for definite
assurances regarding the attitude OF
Great Britain.
Cooperation between the two great
English speaking nations Of the worlG
was necessary at that time for the wei
fare of both. The alliance had invited
the United States as well as England tt
Join the compact, but it was evident t.
both governments that neither coulC
hope to gain anything by acoeding-
that, on the contrary. it would be to th'
disadvantage of both. Neither, however
could have well afforded to oppose TIL
alliance single handed, Blu when boil
declared against the scheme the alliance
died q natural death. OF course Eng
lands attitude was largely the result o
selfishness, and so indeed was that o
the United States-that higher selfish
ness which men call patriotism and il
which most men take great pride.
1t was q curious combination OF cir
c~umstances that made it expedient TO
this country to join hands with Eng
J land, the only power with which i
had ever engaged in serious war, an
which it had twice defeated. 1t is per
haps quite as curious that the first prac
tical application of the Monroe doctrin
was made against England by the Unit
: cd States when England sought to es
tablish a protectorate over that part G
Central America known as the Mosquit
Coast. In fact, most OF the talk concern
ing the Monroe doctrine has been in
! spired by actual or suspected doings o
the part Of Great Britain, and the ltror
q BILE in Nicaragua now has to do wit
s the same Mosquito Coast which Grea
Britain proposed to bring under her d.
q ! rninion many years ago.