The record-union., 1895-04-26
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
''Has the British Government ever
given US notice of dissent from the Mon
roe docErine?' is asked of us by a corre-
spondent.
We reply no; nor has the Government
OF the United States ever given Great
Britain notice that there is Monroe doc
trine. That doctrine has, indeed, never
had official recognition by our own Con-
gress-but it should have been given
long ago
Therein is illustrated a difference be-
tween our own and the European Gov
ernments. Regarding policies we await
the occasion to make the declaration of
one necessary; European powers an
nounce their policies and proceed to move
in accordance with them, Which is the
wiser procedure? We confess that there
is much to be said for each, but since we
are republic, do not seek TO broaden the
borders of our garments by conquest,
and believe in the doctrine of ''mind
your own business" the method of con-
sidering the crossing of bridges until we
come to them fits US well so far as inter-
national relations are concerned.
But while Congress mas never given
recognition to the Monroe doctrine, our
people have. We have debated it in press
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forms and in campaign war cries; have
hugged it to US and fondled it, and told
all the world about it through our press
and our boastng until, really, it has the
practical effect of national policy.
AS to just what the Monroe doctrine is,
while it is not news to state it, it may be
well, since English and American war
ships are steaming to a common point on
the Nicaraguan coast, to set out just how
the doctrine was born and just what it is.
December Y, 1923, President Monroe
sent message to Congress in which he
referred to the efforts then being made
by Spain and Portugal to improve the
condition of their people, but with i'll
success. While America, said he, was an
Interested spectator Of the effort, and was
most friendly to the happiness and lib
erty OF its fellow men on the other side
of the Atlantic, yet when it came to wars
between European Powers the United
States had taken no part, nor did it COM
port with American policy to do SO.
The President added: "It is only when
our rights are invaded or seriously men
aced that we resent injuries or make
preparations for our defense. With the
movements in this hemisphere we are,
OF necessity, more Immediately con-
nected, and by causes which must be OBJ
vious to all enlightened and impartial
observers.
The political system of the allied Pow
ers Is essentially different in this respect
from that OF America. This difference
proceeds from that which exists in their
respective Governments. And to the
defense of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood
and treasure and matured by the wisdom
Of their most enlightened citizens, and
under which we have enjoyed unexam-
pied felicity. this whole Nation is de-
voted.
I'VE owe it. therefore, to candor and
to the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and those Pow
ers 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 and safety.
with the existing colonies or depend
encies of any European power we have
not interfered, and shall not interfere
But with the governments who have de-
clared their independence, and main
tanned it, and whose independence we
have. on great consideration, and on lust
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"
And that is the whole of the Monroe
doctrine. 1t has never been enlarged.
modified, officially promulgated, ac-
cepted, denied. given national sanction
nor dissent-it is doctrine that the
American people are nevertheless deeply