The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-12-28
TO FIGHT OR NOT Fight
Will the American People Take Up +
Arms Against A Sea
of Troubles? 55.
The Monroe Doctrine is Now the
Leading Topic Through-
out the World. .@
A Sketch of Monroe and How the
Doctrine. First Came
Into Existence.

OOCI(l16..Hk- k-lESI ~AIIlG t!fN7Ett
Into Existence.
James Monroe, whose name since the
recent Venezuelan Developments IS on ey-
cry lip as the author Of that doctrine
upon which the Presidents message was
predicatel, was the fifth President Of the
United States, having succeeded Madison
in 1877. He was born in Westmcreland
County, Virginia, April %, 1858, and
served his country with great distinction
in various fields. He was descended from
Captain Monroe, an officer in the army OF
Charles l.. who with otller cavaliers emil
grated to Virginia In 1862. He was edu-
Gated at Willim and Mary College, which
lie left in 1875 to enter the army as a
cadet. Soon afterWard he was commits
stoned lieutenant. and took an active part
in the campaign on the Hudson. In the
attack on Trenton, at the head of a small
detachment, he captured one OF the Brit
ism batteries. On this occasion he re-
ceived a ball in the shoulder, and was pro-
noted to the rank of captain, says John
N. Crawford in the Chicago Times
Herald
At, the beginning of the campaign Of
1777 Captain Monroe was advanced to
the rank of major and assigned to duty
as an aid-de-camp on the staff of Lord
Stirling and served in that capacity
through the campaigns of that year and
the next, distinguishing himself in the
battles of Brandywine, Germantown and
Monmouth. BY accepting this staff SER
vice, however, he lost his rank in the reg
|,,1,,, 1u foi nj {ri
efforts to re-enter the army as commits
stoned officer, he returned to Virginia
and began the study of law under the d.
rection of Thomas Jefferson, then COVER
nor of the state. a
When the British appeared soon after
ward in Virginia Mr.. Monroe exerted him
self in organizing the militia of the lower
counties, and when the enemy proceeded
southwark, Governor Jefferson sent him
as military commissioners to the army in
South Carolina .s, Sl'
At the age of % years Mr.. Monroe was
called to another field of service. He
was elected to the assembly of Virginia
from the County OF King George, and
notwithstanding his youth was made
member Of the executive council in 1852.
The next year he was elected delegate
to congress for three years, taking his
seat Dec 13, 1888. Convinced that it was
impossible to govern the country under
the old articles OF confederation, he ad-
yocated an extension of the powers OF
congress. and in 1885 moved to invest
that body with the authority to regulate
trade between the states. The resolution
was referred to committee of which he
was chairman, and report was made i'll
favor of the measure. This led to the
convention at Annapolis and the subse-
quent adoption of the federal constitution.
1t is upon this provision OF the consti-
tuition that the interstate commerce law
is predicated, and upon which the Presl-
dent in 1898 invoked the power Of the
federal courts and troops to suppress the
disorders incident to the American Rail
way Union. strike in this city
Monroe also exerted himself in deyis-
ing system for the settlement of the
public lands, and was appointed MEM
ber of the commission to decide upon the
boundary between Massachusetts and
New York. He strongly opposed the re-,
linquishment Of the right to navigate the
Mississippi River, on the demand Of
discussion of ali the leading questions
before the body Of which he was youth
full but conspicuous member.
At the conclusion Of his term, and be-
ing ineligible for reelection for a period
of three years. Mr.. Monroe settled in
Fredericksburg, Va, from wnichsconstit-
uency he was reelected to the general as
sembly in 1887; 1888 he was chosen q del
egate to the Virginia convention to decide
upon the adoption Of the federal coilsli-
tuition, and was one Of the minority VINO
opposed the instrument as submitted, be-
ing apprehensive that without amend
ment it would confer too much power
upon the general government The
course Of the minority in the convention
was approved by the great mass OF the
people of Virginia, and Monroe was elecL-'.
ed United States senator in 1890.
In that body he became prominent
representative of the antifsderal party,
and acted with it through all his ofIieias
life. In May, 1894, his senatorial term
having expired, he received the appoint
ment of minister plenipotentisry to
France. and was received in Paris Win
marked EVIDENCE of distinction and He-.s
spect But his undisguised exhibition pt
sympathy with the French republic dis
pleased the Administration.
John Jay was at the time In England
negotiating a treaty, and the course pllr-s
s,led by Monroe interfered with his en-
,terorjse, and was therefore considered in-
j,rdicious and reprehenstble. On the con-
,clusion of the treaty his alleged failure &
to- nresent it in ifs true character to the .
French government excited anew the dis
pleasure Of the cabinet, and in August. 3
1896, he was recalled under an 1nTornal &
.censure On his return to America me-
published a View Of the Conduct OF. the
Executive IN the Foreign Affairs OF fh II
United staaes," which Widened the breaells:y