The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1895-10-12
What Is The Monroe Doctrinep

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renee by the "holy ulliancu" iu Mex
leo and South America, where the
Spanish colonies had established
their independence. aa ''a
The ''holy alliance" was union
OF Austria, France, Prussia and Rus
sia for the maintenance Of the Euro
pean monurchies. IL was formed
soon after the Napolconic wars and
was renewed and strengthed in 1920,
when uprislngs occurred In several
countries Of Europe. Grea. Britain
had been asked 10 join the combina-
tion and some steps had been taken
10 that direction under Lord Castle
rcagh. On his death by suicide Can
ming became foreign minister and Jun
der his guidance Great Britain held
aioof from the continental alliance.
The United States had recognized
the independence of Mexico and the
other revoItcd Spanish colonies and
Canning was inclined 10 pursue the
same source. In 1928 he suggested
to Richard Rush, United minister al
London, that this government should
express In foreible manner its oppo-
sition to intervention by the Euro
pean powers in behalf of Spain
against its colonies which had reject
ed allegiance.
This suggestion was conveyed to
President Morroe through John q.
Adams, the American Secretary Of
state. President Monroe submitted
the proposition OF Canning TO Jeffcr-
sor and Madison for their opinion on
the subject. .Jcfferson's answer was
prompt and decisive in favor Of such
n declaration as Canning had sug-
gested. He said IL was the most mo-
mentous question submitted for his
opinion since the declaration OF indie
pendence. Madison approved Of
Jeffcrson's opinion and equally ap-
preciated the importance CT the
question.
Under these circumstances Pres
dent Monroe, In his usual message
Dec. 3, 1928, expressed the doctrine
that has siEce borne his name. There
had been some correspondence with
with Russia and Great Britain in re-
gard to boundary treaties, whis sh the
president described, adding:
In the discussions to which this In
terest has given rise and In the ar
rangements by which they may ter
inmate the occasion has been Judged
proper for asserting as a principle
in which the rights and interests of
the United States are involved that
the American continents, by the free
and independent condition which
they have assumed and MAINTAIN,
are henceforth not to be considered
as subjects of colonization by any
European powers.
In The same message, referring TO
the Instructions IN Europe. Presj-
dent Monroe said that the United
States would always be anxious and
interested spectators Of events, bat
declared:
In The mass Ct European powers
in matters relating to Themselves we
have never taken any part, nor does
u comport with onr-policy TO do so.
1t is only when our rights are invod-
ed or seriously menaced that we re-
sent Injuries or make prepa, atfons
for defense. With the movements
in this hemisphere We are of necessi.
W more Immediately connected. and
by causes which must be obyious N
all enlightened and impartial obser-
vers.
The political system of the allied
powers Is essentially different ip this
respect from that Of America. This
dlnerence proceeds from that which
exists in their respective govern
ments. And TO the defense OF our
own, whicn has been acquired bv tho
loss OF so much blood and treasure
and matnred by the wisdom OF Their
most enlightened citizens, and under
winch we have enjoyed unexalnpled
teiiclty, this whole nation is deyotel
we owe it, therefore, to the candor
ana 10 The anicable relations ex,s,-
ing. between the United States and
'uose powers to declare that we
shoald consider any attempt on their
parts TO extend their system 10 this
hemisphere as dangerous to oar peace
ana safety. With the existing colo.
MES or dependencies Of any Eurone.
an government we have not in,erfer-
re" ana shall not interfere. Bu.
WIN the governments that have de-
ciared their independence and main
tanned 1t and whose indepcnda,c.
we have on great consideration ard
on Just principles acknowledged vs
could not view any interposition for
the purpose Of depressing them or
controlling in any other manner tb,;r
destiny, In any other light than a. :
manifestation Of an unfriendlv d;ssa -
sitlon toward tic United Sta.es
his Is the Monroe doctrine. NJ
new European colonies on this hem
lsphere. 2. No interference Viii viii.
colonies OF European powers now .ss' sse
,sung. .. No interference bv, an,
European power with ,ba 81 ~nf