Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-12-18
PeryertIng the "Monroe Doctrine. -

Preventing the Monroe Doctrine
There has been lately great deal of
senseless talk and foolish perversions
of the so-called Monroe Doctrine"
On Tuesday week, Senator Cullom
of Illinois made an elaborate speech on
the declaration of President Monroe
which has since been denominated the |
Monroe Doctrine" In referring to
it, the Baltimore San pertinently asks
the question-''Do we want a Nation
al Yell2" after the manner of College
Yells, and says 1.-The inquiry is suggest
ed by the very serious and deliberately
argued demand of Senator Cullom, of
Illinois, for re-definition, re-affirma-
ton and formal PRONUNCIATION by Con-
gress, of course, in an improved and
revised form. brought down to date"
so to speak, of the famous Monroe de
claration or 'doctrine' of 1923. This
demand, expressed in the form of a
joint resolution, Mr.. Cullom supported
in carefully prepared speech deliver
ed, pursuant to notice, in the Senate,
on Tuesday week, and adds that Mr..
Cullom is too we'll informed not to
know that the Monroe doctrine" So
called, has never been officially or
formally adopted or acted upon by the
government of the United States in
any way. 1t remains to-day what it
was in the beginning-an Executive
declaration of opinion and nothing
more. At the very session of Congress
to which Mr.. Monroes message was ad
dressed Mr.. Clay unsuccessfully en-
deavored to secure from the House of
Representative an affirmation or in
dorsement by that body of the Presi-
dents views. Three years later Mr..
John Quincy Adams, who was Mr.
Monroe's Secretary of State, was Presi
dent, and Mr.. Clay was his Secretary
of State. When Mr.. Adams recon
mended that this government should
unite with the States of South Americs
in joint declaration of the principles
of the Monroe doctrine, the House o.
Representatives, upon motion of Mr.
Buchanan, himself later President o.
the United States, resolved that it wal
the opinion of the House that this gov
eminent should not become party tt
any such joint declaration, eithe
against European interference will
the independence and government o
| any of the South American republic
or even against European colonization
upon the continent of America, "b1l
, that the people Of the United State
should be left free to act, in any CRISIS
; in such manner as their feelings O
friendship toward those republics am
as their Darn honor and policy may a
the time dictate"
And this is the true American doc
trine, as applicable in 1895 as it wa
then. The Monroe doctrine" wa
: we'll enough in it's day. The declara
tions of President Monroe in 1928 serv
ed their purpose, and reflected credi
! and honor upon their author. The.
were never intended to bind this coun
, try, hard and fast, to any fixed line o
! action IN any case. 1t was not in tn
power of the President so to bind tn
/ country, and he did not dream of do
| ing it. 1t was not in the power of Con
/ gress TO do so. and Congress expressl.
refused to commit itself even to tn
moderate and popular policy outlined
by President Monroe. 1t reserved, a
} must necessarily be the case. freedom
of action at. all times to the govern
ment to do what is best at the time TO
the interests, the rights and the homo
of the United States. Hence, Mr.. Cul
lom's proposed re-affirmation of Presi
dent Monroe's declarations in 1928 cal
only be regarded in the light of a use
less piece of "buncombe," a mer'
ebullition of meaningless ''jingoism'
which cannot possibly reflect credi
upon this country at home or abroad
1t is, as we have suggested, nothing
more than an attempt to get up a ma
tional YELL" which has more in it o
the elements of the ridiculous than thu
serious. The United States is alto
gether too great and strong, and tot
much respected among the nations o
the earth, to require any such CHEAP
advertising or self-puffery."