The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-12
An American Policy. I.

The speech of Senator Cullom, de-
.livered before the senate Tuesday in
support of his resolution providing for a
legislative affirmation Of the Monroe
doctrine, was not reported by the press
associations as literally as 1t deserved
to be. An examination of the complete
text of that speech will convince any
reasonable American that it is docu-
ment of great merit and present timeli-
ness. In his judgment I e, senator de-
clared that the United 81 tes could no
longer delay the proclaI alton of the
American policy known the Monroe
doctrine. Instead of Ikmhining mere
ly an eaict. .of..the president, the doc
trine enunciated by president Monroe
should bear the definite approval of
congress, and thJs become permanent
ordinance.
Mr.. Cullom referred to the penchant
of the great European powers for the
occupation and absorption of the terri
tory of weak foreign nations, whose
productions were Of Importance to their
trade and commerce. The United States,
he said, was the first great nation which
had declined to establish any sort of
protectorate or to maintain distant
colonies. The United States, he said,
drew the line exactly where 1t existed
made his memorable declaration, and
where the people believed 1t should re-
main. While the United States had no
concern with foreign usurpations in the
eastern hemisphere, 1t could not permit
the administration of the independent
governments Of America-NOrth or
South-to become subject to European
domination. The United States did not
claim the world as its own, but 1t did
insist on its right to be consulted as to
affairs pertaining to the American con-
tinents. 1t did not go prancing about
the world seeking for some struggling
nation to set free, but 1t acknowledged
kinship in a degree with all the re-
publics of America. The United States
could not sit indifferently by when the
territorial integrity Of any of these
neighboring countries was questioned
by foreign nation. 1t would always
be awake to any such attempt, and It
was its business to see to it that their
possessions were not materially cur
tailed from the just line established
years ago by treaty stipulations.
Let US build so strongly and speak
so plainly" said Mr.. Cullom, that the
way of the future executives, prime
ministers and ambassadors Of our coun-
try will be undoubted. Let 1t be 80
clear that no statesman of the future
can find, as Mr.. Calhoun did in the
senate. any ingenious theory to weak
en- its force and value. Let 1t be so
certain and emphatic that no secretary
of state can hereafter become a willing
party to a treaty yielding share of
the control and supervision of any in
ter-oceanic canal to any European
country, as In the Clayton Bulwer
treaty. And let 1t be so straight and
practical that no American ambassa-
dor to the British court shall feel at
liberty to question the policy of his
own government or, possibly, apologize
for the Declaration Of Independence
and the Monroe doctrine Of 1929"
The senator cited the fact, that while
\the territory Of the United States is
100000 square miles. that Of Great
britain in the American hemisphere
only 10000 square miles smaller--a
pndition obviously anomalous. This
reat area Of British territory may or
ay not" he added, in conclusion. 'be
nenace 10. our country. AS is some-
hs said, that depends. One thing.
yer. IL manifest-that the United
must look after the United
We are old enough and strong
to stand alone. to walk alone
pld our ground among the ma
the earth. Shall we do It?
always be ready and pre-
peAt great question: when,
20 take every ptecaution
~. and "a bsar always
)endasd 10 ths fofsS In