The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-04-26
The Monroe Doctrine.

uoctFlne was promulgated as protest
against foreign interference in affairs
concerning the western hemisphere.
The revolution which freed the thir-
teen colonies from English yoke in
splred the same desire to be free among
the Spanish-American colonies. The
revolts were successful and repnblics
arose upon the ruins of broken Spanish
authority. The attempt on the part
of European powers to seize upon the
territory lost to Spain and divide it up
was met by President Monroe in a
bold document which was sent to
Congress in his annual message of
Dec. 2, 1928. In these days when the
Monroe doctrine is upon every lip it
is well to read and reread the patriotic
utterances of this patriot President.
There is no better literature. Here it
is in, full:
1t 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 it
appeared to be conducted with extra
ordinary moderation. 1t need scarce
ly 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
and from which we derive our origin
we have always been anxious and in
terested spectators The citizens of
the United States cherish sentiments
the most friendly in favor Of the lib
erty and happiness of their fellowrnen
on that side of the Atlantic. In the
wars of the European powers, in mat
ters relating to themselves, we have
never taken any part, nor does it COM
port with our policy to do 80. 1t is
only when rights are invaded or seri-
ously menaced that we resent injuries
or make preparations for our defense.
With the movements in this hemis-
phere we are of necessity more inn
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 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 en-
joyed unexampled felicity this Nation
is devoted.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and
to the amlcable relations existing
between the United States and these
powers to declare that we should con-
slider any attempt on their paJt to ex-
tend their system to any portion OF
this hemisphere as dangerous to our
peace and safety.
With the existing colonies or de-
pendencies of any European power
we have not interfered and shall not
interfere. But with the governments
who have declared independence and
maintained it, and whose independ-
ence we have, on great consideration
and on just 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 manlfes-
tation of an unfriendly disposition
toward the United States.
In the war between these new gov
ernments and Spain we declared our
neutrality at the time of their recog-
milton. and to this we have adhered,
and shall continue to adhere, provld-
ed no change shall occur which, IN
the Judgment of the competent au-
thorities of this government, shall
make a corresponding change on the
part of the United States indispensa-
BILE to their security.
The late events in Spain and Portu-
oal show that Europe is still unsettled.
OF this important fact no stronger
nroof can be adduced than that the
allied powers should have thought II
nroper. on a principle satisfactory to
themselves, to have interposed by
force in the internal concerns OF
Spain. Our policy in regard to
Europe, which was adopted at an
oarlv stage of the wars which have SO
long agitated that quarter OF the
globe, nevertheless remains the same'
which is not to interfere in the inter-
nal concerns of any of its powers; to
consider the government, defacto, as
the legitimate government for us; to
cultivate friendly relations with it,
and to preserve those relations by a
frank, firm, and manly policy; meet
ing in all instances, and just claims