The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-04-08
JAMES

many interpretations, and hence it is
that newspapers and individuals hold
ing Numerically opposite views are
alik quoting the famous deliverance in
support of their own positions, and some
are giving to it all the Importance that
would be accorded q solemn treaty be-
tween nations or a part Of the written
law. For the benefit of those who have
never read the message in which the
passages now SO often referred to &C.
Cured the essential sentences are here
reproduced:
We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the
amicable relations existing between the Unit
cd States and those powers composing the -
called holy alliance, 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 end
safety. With the existing colonies or depend
encics 81 any European power we have not
interfer-d and shall not interfere. But with
the governments who have declared their in
dependence and maintained it, and whose in
dependence 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 manifestation
| of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States.
The occasion for this message was the
proposed action of Russia, Prussia and
Austria, the three powers composing
.'the holy alliance" The alliance was
formed in 1915 for the ayowed purpose
of protecting and spreading the Chris
tian religion, but really to check and, if
--z-ztl~ xor %Lo ric1,o lido rF raNrh-
licanism which had not only become
we'll grounded in America, but had got
a very good start in Europe. 1t was pro-
posed among other things to restore
Spanish dominion in South America.
France had thrown its weight with the
allied powers, and England had been
asked to do so. 1t was England's refusal
which led to Monroe's enunciation, and
it is doubtful that he would have been
so outspoken had it not been for definite
assurances regarding the attitude of
Great Britain.
Co-operation between the two great
English speaking nations of the world
was necessary at that time for the well
fare of both. The alliance had invited
the United States as we'll as England to
join the compact, but it was evident to
both governments that neither could
hope to gain anything by acceding-
that, on the contrary, it would be to the
disadvantage of both. Neither, however,
could have well afforded to oppose the
alliance single handed, but when both
declared against the scheme the alliance
died q natural death. Of course Eng
lands attitude was largely the result Of
~eelfshness, and SO indeed was that of
the United States-that higher selfish
ness which men call patriotism and in
which most men take great pride.
1t was q curious combination Of cir
cumstances that made it expedient for
this country to join hands with Eng
land, the only power with which II
had ever engaged in serious war, and
which it had twice defeated. 1t ia per.
haps quite as curious that the first prac-
tical application Of the Monroe doctrine
was made against England by the Unit
cd States when England sought to es.
tablish a protectorate over that part OF
Central America known as the Mosquito
Coast. In fact, most of the talk concern
ing the Monroe doctrine has been in.
spired by actual or suspected doings on
| the part of Great Britain, and the trou
! BILE in Nicaragua now has to do with
) the same Mosquito Coast which Great
Britain proposed to bring under her do
! ! minion many years ago.