New-York tribune., 1895-12-11
fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNE.l

fpT TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNEl
Washington. Dec Ex-senator Cullom. of Illinois.
. entitled to the distinction of making the first set
speech OK this session OF Congress In favor OF the
-eassertion Of the Monroe Doctrine as American
law The day after Congress assembled Mr.. Cul-
,o, introduced in the Senate joint resolution pro-
vld!ng for a legislative afirmance OF President
Nanroe's famous statement OF the traditional poCy
Of the United States in dealing with attempted ter
ritorial encroachments by European Powers on the
American continent To-day he addressed the sen
ATE .or an hour in support Of this resolution orhs-
Ing 10 its defence the resources OF correct logic ana
abundant common sense. on which ne mas uia"H
with untaing success during his long Congress'ohai
career His resolution was referred to the COMMIT
tee on Foreign Relations.
Nj Culiom said that the Government co"u ho'
eror3 10 permit any uncertain or eouivocal con-
s.ruction 10 be possible on so important SUBJECT.
The Monroe Doctrine was the motto which shouiu
he ,ndeliby engraved the portals OF the Depart
ment Of State. Instead OF remaining as An eu'o'
=, the Executive 1t should bear the dehnite ap-
n-oval of Congress and become fixed ana per
u,nent ordinance giving notice TO all the "oiic
that the United States will not view Win id'o 'ie
erection of any more European colonies on these
oon,inants nor any extension OF the european
,olitical system upon this hemisphere hoF any
European interposition in the affairs OF 'he SPAN
,sh-Arnerican republics.
The literature in support OF the Monroe Do0ti'"o'
Nr t-ulom continued. applied to the terll'or9
hemisDhere and 10 lnteEOCednlc CSaAdiS Ni'
or- southern border. was almost endless; yet o'hei
rations seem not TO regard Il as having any 1orce
,n guarding the conduct OF the Government anu
hence they proceed to the Accomplishment oi 'hef
rlr,oses without much reference to H. IN MS Juus
roer, The tine had come when the Nation shouia
-, .ha ouastion bevond cavil: the time had come
,be, the Nation by its Congress, should declare
the doctrine which had been so often declared oy
lie Chief Executives and other representative ihen'
the time had come when more positive language
1111o oft
laration that this Government cannot we" "''n
,-s,rerence attempts OF European Governments 10
e,lonize either in North, South or Ceh'ral America
The Nation had played diplomacy long enough anu
without much effect. Great Britain had oeen us
~ga-alne polite requests protests. arguments ana
..s,,o,s that this country cannot look with
,,Sirerence'' upon her policy to reach out further
until she II let alone. will finally dominate NeneN
,sls The time had come for a plain positive ueo-
l,rstion Of the Monroe Doctrine by Congress ana
then. II necessary pialh' pos''i'e
aeainst all corners.
Whatever European rights existed as to owner
sb,, of territory on this hemisphere In early MS
tory must continue. II there Is dispute between
na,,ons as to boundary lines as they were theh let
.bsa lines be agreed by arbitration or IN some
- 30 hs aetermlned The United States does nos
seek war with any nation. small or great Inc
eavs Of war between civilized nations are pas
certainly in relation TO ordinary matters OF us
,,,,e This country does not attempt TO interfere
d
,-,,ro,san Countries and does not intend that Eu-
,o,ean Powers shall interfere in political anaifs
I'm this Western continent what authori,s en-
tales European nations to such colohial ioo'
hold on American borders? They nave piah'en
the,r flags on all the scattering Islands ana ID
oor,,. ava-v spot on earth where they coYd
,noponol,ze trade or control the strategic advan-
.ages of location for their own interests But II
e the duty OF the United States 10 be Always Ieao'
a meet any and all attempts they may MAKE -
ats
~, W. orgor no obstruction to their proper use
20 any transcontinental channel WMch may Oe
constructed but the control ana sovereignty oi
such highway can never be held by any loie'si
Power Prior TO 1923 certain rights had accrued 70
foreign Powers and dominion had been exercised
by them over certain territory on our oofuerS'
IN. since that time we have not consented TO anv
extension Of such dominion we nave reacheu '''e
time when 1t becomes our bounde1 duty TO say
., he world with dignity and hrmness, that thus
,ar but no further shall foreign systems OF gov
eminent be permitted TO approach Our pohcy Is
the American policy. doctrine s the protection
Of American interests. and our motto is Aiei''A
fo- Americans.
THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE CONSULTED.
..,vs do not claim that the world is ours. but We
,,iu insist on our right TO be consulted upon az
feirs pertaining the American continents. we
do not Ike Don OuixOte, 20 prancing about Inc
world looking for adventures or seeking for some
m
.rae but we acknowledge kinshp in a degree
Nth all the republics of America, whose independ-
ence Ike ours, has long since been acknowledged
and recognized by the Powers OF Europe Inc
United States cannot sit indfferently by when
,h territorial integrity OF any % these neighbor-
inr countries is questioned by a foreign nation.
We shall always be awake TO any such attempt
and II is our business to 1t that their posses
sions are not curtailed materially from the just
line established years ago by treaty stpulations'
Anv;hing short of this derogates from our dignity
and lends 10 weaken the influence which the
T-,i,ed states. as the mistress Of the Western
World should maintain IN American affairs.
The Cnited States is the first great Nation which
has declined 10 establish any sort OF pTotectorate r
~ maintain distant colonies. This Is the first Ma
ton 70 follow policy of absolute non-intGrference
~ The arars Of the other hemisphere; Whatever
-@,ronean Countries may 90 toward each other, we
@ ne line exactly where 1t existed at the time
when President Monroe made ms melnCiaDag ia ueTa va
have no concern with foreign usurpa tons In Mada<
sascar .ar or IN Heisphere where the welfare of the
.n,,sG states is not Immediately affected. But We
"a oveernments OF America. either North or South
shl either by negoaion or % sSouiS Senitey
groclsIm. what we have by Executive authority an
nounced that any such act VII De ress,ue @ a, a. s s
pTe9acy upon the Western Hemisphere Co.,.
e1 he noM expfrTits in It's second century sned . nave
and shod have on this con,inept us R9 flJEelop
be' me- n,oneer one and as the typical Government. in
which the people are the real and ultimate s2vef-
,ers is entitled he right 20 protect ltself as
sns, encroachmens OF adverse and f3regn s,s Pq% S
~in - the United States have already. so far as
he Executive could determine Il pltiny proclsmTes
~ n-ocia nation Of the solemn and deliberate con-
c..yrence Of the Congress OF the tinted States %
- a. annsrent 10 every European Nation what
ire the viii and temper of the American people
-, ,,t.s ~ the United States SO EXPIRE sSed. VIII
~ c.ert 20 settle :he matter for future time
y !; were thundereI from The top OF si9at
" "..rnnca1,ng 10 me diplomatic authorities OF all
r-Snna, Countries at this day due regard for
f1rrr2cSS;sr1aTI IRrzg Es4WuRfH Ill,