The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-30

/ and extend its influence to any part
of this hemisphere. The Monroe au-
nouncement had a special application
to an understood emergency. and was
not intended to effect so wide an ap-
/ plication as has been Interpreted in
later times.
Here is the doctrine as contained in
the Presidents message referred to
above:
at was stated at the commencement
| of the last session that a great effort
was then making in Spain and Portu-
! gal to improve the condition of the
people of those countries, and that 1t
appeared to be conducted with extra
ordinary moderation. 1t need scarcely
be remarked that the result has been,
so far, very different from what was
then anticipated. OF events in that
quarter of the globe, with which We
have so much intercourse, and from
which we drive our origin, we have al
ways been anxious and interested
spectators. The citizens of the United
States cherish sentiments the most
friendly, in favor Of the liberty ana
happiness of their fellow men on that
side of the Atlantic. In the wars or
the European powers, IN matters re-
lating to themselves, we have never
with our policy so to do. 1t is only
when our rights are invaded, or ser1-
ouSly menaced, that we resent injuries,
or make preparation for our defense.
With the movements in this hemi-
sphere we are, of necessity, more I'M
! mediately connected, and by causes
which must be obvious to all enlight-
ened and Impartial observers. The
political system of the allied powers
is essentially different, in this respect,
from that of America. The difference
proceeds from that which exists IN
their respective governments. And IL
the defence Of our own, which has
been achieved by the loss of so much
blood and treasure and matured by
the wisdom of our most enlightened
citizens, and under which we have en-
joyed unexampled felicity, this whole
nation Is devoted.
I'VE owe 1t, therefore, to candOr and
to the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and those
powers, to declare that we should con-
slider any attempt on their part to
extend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere as dangerous TO our
peace and safety. With the existing
colonies or dependencies of any Euro
pean power we have not interfered'
and shall not interfere. But, with the
governments who have declared their
independence, and maintained It, and
whose independence we have, on great
consideration, and on just principles,
acknowledged, we could not view any
interposition for the purpose of OPP
pressing them, or controlling, in any
manner their destiny by any European
power in any other light than as the
manifestation of an unfriendly dispo-
sition towards the United States"
Congress not only did not endorse
this doctrine but was really opposed
to it. Nevertheless it was approved by
the public and became very popular.
as it appealed to the anti-English SEN
timent and it had the effect, no doubt
Of lettering Great Britain from acting
with the Holy Alliance in the project
ed plan of interference in the affairs Of
American nations.
The Monroe doctrine is always re-
ferred to when there is probability of
European influence being extended on
this side the Atlantic ocean, no matter
for what purpose. But it is clear that
President Monroe's declarations, said
to have been formulated by John
Quincy Adams. were not intended to
apply to circumstances such as sur
round the Venezuelan or the Near
aguan difficulties with Great Britain.
Nor was it their purpose to ex-
tend anything further than Euro
pean attempts to establish the govern
mental system of that Old World upon
American soil.
1t is evident that the sentiment of
the American people against European |
or other monarchial encroachments |
has occasioned a latitude of interpreta- |
ton which the text of the Monroe |
message does not Justify. and that the |
present administration. in It's attitude |
toward the Venezuelan and Near |
aguan disputes with Great Britain, is |
strictly within the line of the much |
misunderstood and exaggerated Mon
roe doctrine.