The Portland daily press., 1895-04-13
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Full Text of the Presidents Message
Enunciating That American Principle.

Enunciating That American Principle.
| The Monroe doctrine Was PROMULGATED as
a protest against foreign interference in
| affairs concerning the western hemisphere
The revolution which freed the thirteen
colonies from Engl sh yoke inspired the
same desire 10 be free among the Spanish
American colonies. The reyolts were sue
cessful and republics arose upon ruins of
broken Spanish authority. The attepmt
on The part of European powers to seize
upon the territory lost 20 Spain and divide
it up WAS met by President Monroe in bold
document which was sent 10 Congress in
his annual message of Dec 2, 1928. In these
days when the Monroe doctrine is upon
every lip it is we'll TO read and reread the
patriotic differences of this patriot Presi-
dent. There is no better literature Here it
is in full:
1t was stated at the commencement of
the last session that great effort was then
making in Spain and Portugal to improve
the condition of the people of those coun-
tries. and that it appeared to be conducted
with extraordinary moderation. 1t need
scarcely he remarked that the result has
been. so far, very different from what was
then anticipated. OF events in that quarter
of the glote with which we have SO much
intercourse, and from which we derive our
origin, We have always been anxious and In
terested ectators. he citizens of the
United States cherish sentime ais the most
friendly in favor OF the liberty and happi-
ness of their fellow men en- that side of the
Atlantic. In the wars of the European pow
ers. in matters relating TO themselves, we
have never taken palt, nor does it comport
with our policy TO do so. 1t is only when
rights are invaded OF seriously menaced
that we present injuries OF make prepara-
tons for our defense.
With the movements in this hemisphere
we are of necessity more Immediately con-
nected. and by causes Which must be OBJ
vious TO all enlightened and impartial OBJ
servers The political s, stem of the allied
powers is essentially different in his
spect from that of America. This difference
proceeds frouI that which exists in their
respective governments. And to the de-
Tense Of our own. which has been achieved
by tie loss of SO much blood and treasure.
and matured by the wisdom of their most
enlightened citizens and under which we
have enjoyed and uneXampltd felicity,
this nation is devoted.
We owe it. therefore, to candor and TO The
amicable relations existing between the
United States and these powers 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 and safety.
With the existing colonies or dependen-
cies OF any European power we have not
- 4 i Il.
with the governments who have declared
independence and maintained it. and whose
Independence we have, on great considera-
ton and on just principles acknowledged, we
could not view any interposition for the
purpose eff expressing them CT controlling
in any other manner their destiny by any
European power in any other light than as
the manifestation of an unf,iendly DISPOSE
tion toward the United States.
IL the war between thess new govern
ments and Spain We declared our neutrality
at the time of their recognition, and to this
we have adhered and shall continue to ad-
here, provided no change shall occur which.
in the judgment of the competent authori-
ties of this government, shall make a cores
ponding change on the part of the United
States indispen sable to their security.
Tho late events in Spain and Portugal
show that Europe is still unsettled. or this
important fact no stronger proof can be adj
duced than that the allied powers should
have thought it proper, on principle salts
factory to themselves, to Lave interposed
by force in the internal concerns of spain.
Our policy in regard to Europe, which WAS
adopted at early stage of the wars which
have go long agitated that quarter of the
lobe, neverth ele remains the same
which is not TO interfere in the internal
concerns of any of IFS powers; to consider
tho government, defacto. as the legitimat tie
governments for lis; to cultivate friendly
relations by frank, firm. and manly policy
meeting i. in all instances. the 1us' claims
of every power, submitting to injuries from
none.
But in regard to these continents, ciroum-
stances are eminently and conspicuuously
different. 1t is impossible that the allied
powers should extend their political sys-
TEN to any portion or either continent with
out endangering our peace and happiness;
ro1 can any one believe that our Southern,
brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt
it of their own accord. It is equally i'm
possible, therefore. that we should behold
such interpositon in any form with indiffer
ence.
Next year will be the last leap year of
the century, and another will not occur