The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-25
MONROE DOCTRINE HISTORY.
Americas Rights and Privileges ~
Recognized fn the Measure.
Washington sta.

Washington star.
There is some controversy as 10 who
was the autho: OF the Monroe doctrine"
said Robert III. Terrell, In "A recent address
1t is claimed upon some show OF author
ity that IL was first conceived by the Brit
howev sr. that the thought and sentiment
embodied In this doctrine are purely Amer
lean. and beyond all doubt originated In
OF the new republic. In 1915. after the
downfall of Napoleon. the great powers or
Europe organized what was known as the
holy alliance" the object of which was
to maintain the divine right OF kings
and preserve the territorial dignity OF the
continent As a congress OF delegates rep
Italy. in October. 1872. 1t was proposed
that the European nations should assist
Spain I'm recovering the lost provinces In
America. But Great Britain. through her
delegate. The famous Duke OF Wellington.
interposed a vigorous protest TO the propo-
mercial supremacy in the new American re-
publics. and she feared the re-establish-
ment of the Spanish power IN the new
world would close it's markets TO the Brit
ish merchants. Spain az that time VAS one
OF the great powers of Europe. able ana
ready TO enforce a respect for It's ferritor-
self ssi rights against even Great SF''a" It
Shortly after this congress at Verona
Cabinet at London. suggested TO the United
States. through its minister at st James.
that Great Britain and the United Bates
should unite I'm a declaration against the
design OF the holy alliance. especially that
part relating to the intervention OF <oreign
powers in spanish America. or the transfer
colonies. While this Joint declaration vas
never made and issued, yet ~ his messsge
stating that II was not the policy or me
country to interfere with the thermal con-
Germs of European powers; said In Iansuage
name, that "The occasion has been Judged
proper for asserting as a principle N wnicn
are involved that the American continents.
by the free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintsinea are
henceforth not TO be considered as SUBJECTS
for future colonization by anv Europesn
powers. We owe 1t, therefore, 10
candor and TO amicable relations existing
between the United States and those pow
ers TO declare that we should consider any
attempt on their part TO extend Sheir sys-
dangerous to our peace and safety. With
the existing colonies or dependencies Win
any European power we nave not interiereo
and shall not Interfere. but with the gov
ernments that have declared their indie
pendence and maintain 1t. and whose indie
pendence we have on great con-id@ration
and on just principles acknowledged. We
could not view any interpositfon Tor the
purpose Of oppression or controlling them
In any other light than as manifestations OF
an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States"
roe. which may be reduced TO four piopo-
sitions:
"First-That the United States will Tot
interfere with the political affairs OF Eu-
',S~econd-The United States will not inter-
fere with any colonies already established
on this hemisphere by European powers.
.Third-No European power will be al
allowed TO interfere in the affairs or this
hemisphere In the way OF establishing new
colonies.
"Fourth-No European power viii be al
lowed to Cypress any State on this hemis-
| pierre"
In other words. the essential pojpt Of the
whole doctrine was, as IL has been tersely
stated, America for Americans" This
sentiment does not imply that inhSspitable
principle which is sometimes imputed 10 IT,
and which asserts thst European nations
shall not retain dominion on this hemis-
phere. and that none but republican gov
ernments shall here be tolerated, but II
does mean that except only as already es-
tablished no European government shall
ever In North, South or Central America
| hold sway.
This is the Monroe doctrine pure and
simple. and although ] am firmly of the be-
lief that the sentiment embodied therein
had its origin on this side OF the Atlantic.
rather than in Great Britain yet II was
through the influence and prestige al Eng
lands name that the doctrine was respect
ed by the great governments Of Europe.
Albeit that England was acfuated by selfish
interests and by her intense Protestant
ism 10 withhold her adherence and be op-
posed to the reconguest by spain OF her
former colonies In America. the truth still
remains that without this sympathy OF
England the famous declaration would
probably never have been made.
No doubt John Quincy Adams. then Sec
rotary of State. had much to do with the
PRONUNCIATION OF this doctrine by President
Monroe. In fact, IL is generally believed
| that he was the author OF this particular
portion OF the Presidents message. But,
however this may be. the important fact
is that Monroe did declare IL. and upon
that declaration his fame has rested more
securely than upon any other act OF his
long public life.