The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-20
BUT BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT BE
FORE YOU GO AHEAD.

We have the most unbounded confidence
I'm the good sense and the justice OF
the American people and we base our
belief that there will be no war with
England upon that confidence. Our peo-
pie are ready to fight England or all
the world If they once become convinced
that their duty requires IL of them.
But they viii not fight the smallest
Tower on The earth if time is given
them for reflection. and they see that
they are in the wrong. Let us begin,
therefore. in the breathing spell that is
given us TO reason about this matter.
The President comedies In his message
that he Is only carrying out the Monroe
doctrine. and he also comedies that the
Monroe doctrine has never been accepted
by the nations of the earth as part
of the international law. He claims,
however, that cases may Grise in which
these United States may rightfully ana
Justly lay down for themselves principles
of action that they will coerce the rest
of the world into accepting. What he
would say or do in case some other great
power assumed that position towards
the United States he gives us no hint
of. lie thus states his case in answer
ing Lord Salisbury's position that the
state of the world has changed since
Mr.. Monroe announced his doctrine, and
therefore that what might have been
conceded then might not be conceded
now. lie says, in answer to this;
without attempting extended argument
i'm reply TO these positions, Il may not
be amiss To suggest that the doctrine
upon which we stand is strong and
sound, because its enforcement is i'm
portant TO our peace and safety as
nation. and is essential TO the integrity Of
our free institutions, and the tranquil
maintenance of our distinctive form of
government. 1t was intended to apply
20 every stage OF our national life, and
cannot become obsolete while our re-
public endures."
The plain English OF which is this:
That whenever the United States be-
lieve that any proposition whatever 'is
important TO our peace and safety as a
nation, and Is essential TO the integrity
OF our free institutions. and the tran
gull maintenance OF our distinctive form
OF government" they have a right to
proclaim that fact to the world, and re-
quire the rest OF the world 10 conform
It's conduct TO that belief OF ours. We
must be permitted to say. in all can
dor. that this is the most astounding
proposition that We have ever known to
emanate from any department OF any
civilized government. Suppose that the
cranks who compose the, American Pro-
tective Association should eVme into con-
troll Of this Government, ana should no
tify Great Britain. TO the north OF us,
and Mexico. to the south of us, as
they no doubt would. that the continued
residence of Roman Catholics upon our
borders was a menace ito our peace and
safety as "a nation" and TO the Integrity
Of our free institutions. and the tranquil
maintenance of our distinctive form of
government" Would our position be
strong and sound" If We followed this
with notice to Great Britain and Mexico
that We required them 10 drive all Ro-
man Catholics out OF their dominions?
Yet. II the Presidents doctrine is sound,
We should have the same right TO drive
the Catholics out OF Canada and Mexico
as we have 10 take our present ground
with England.
The vice in the position IS in assuming
=
OF conduct for another nation i'm the
absence Of q code that the latter ma
ton has not assented to. We have q
right to demand that all nations shall
conform TO the code OF international
laws as we interpret that code. because
ali nations have consented 10 the code
and, although We may wrongly interpret
The code upon nice exaainatien Of ~