Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-20

gress or of the people of the United States on that subject. The question of the application of the doctrine to the present case was one which was settled by the presidents message quite as con clusively. But 1t was not settled abso- lutely. The government had passed now an attitude on the Monroe doctrine that would gratify, he thought, the present generation of men and all generations or Americans who might live hereafter. It was an assertion of the right or the United States as the controlling nationality on this continent It had been made and would stand as the law of the United States. He was inca pablo of expressing the qualification ne felt that a question which had been so long debated had at last received such clear-cut definition. He could never ex- press his gratitude that conclusion had heen arrived at so entirely comporting with the dignity and honor of the govern ment of the United States, with its pres tige among the nations of the world and with the sentiment of all the people Of the country.
 MT. sherman. who is to be MT. Nor gan's successor as chairman of the com mittee on foreign relations, was the next speaker. He expressed his general as- sent to MT. Morgan's views and com mended the presidents message, but fa- vored the reference of the house bill to  its deliberations by that committee. He indorsed the Monroe doctrine, but argued that it's application to a specific case was matter of the gravest importance to the United States and to the world. The controversy was a serious one, said MT. sherman. but he had no doubt that the question would be settled peaceably. An assertion should be made of the right of the United States to prevent European powers from invading the American con- tinent and treating it as they treated Af rica and Asia. American was settled now in every part by people of European origin England having the greatest in- terest.
 Under the circumstances" MT. Sher man declared, q do not expect that a war will ensue. do not contemplate or wish to contemplate the possibility of such an event I have seen enough of war in my time to dread it's principles and it's consequences. I do not wish. in the slightest degree, to say word that would indicate that a war was likely to ensue about this small matter. At the same time I think that the president of the United States did right in taking the ground that 1t is our duty as the most powerful of American nations to say to the countries of Europe "these two con tinents are already occupied by Chris tian people, and we are willing to see that their rights shall not be trampled
 
 of course we cannot interfere in any agreement made between Venezuela and Great Britain as to the boundary be- tween Venezuela and British Guiana, but I have a map here (pointing to 1t) which shows repeated encroachments made by Great Britain. This is a se- rious controversy and Great Britain has taken the ground that she will not even submit 1t to arbitration. Now I think the British people when they understand this matter will see that it has attracted the attention of the civilized world, and will not insist upon their refusal, es- pecially when. it is recollected that the Monroe doctrine was not, perhaps, as much the doctrine of Monroe as 1t was the doctrine of Mr. Canning, the English prime minister. While we are in no hur- ry. do not wish this matter to pend be- yond the present session. But I do think that the bill ought to be referred 10 the committee on foreign relations, and that it should be acted upon prompt ly Let that committee hear suggestions of amendment to the house bill If all amendments be voted down by the com mittee and the senate and if they choose to take the house bill well and good. We will pass it. But I demand the right of the senate to consider so grave prop ostion as this and not to be hurried in it's consdera tion. It is supposed that we are a slow moving body. Well, we
 
 ferred to the committee on foreign rela- tions and the committee should be in- structed to report 1t back. say tomorrow or at any other day, and let it then be discussed in the senate. If the commit tee reports that amendments are nec- essary and if the senate adopts those amendments I have no doubt that the house will also agree to it. That will show no haste, no excitement.
 Mir. Lodge said that it would be diff cult to exaggerate the gravity of the question involved in the bill. It seemed to him that the proper course for the senate to take with such an important matter was the usual course-to send the bill to the committee on foreign relations and to instruct that committee to re- port at once-tomorrow if the senate so pleased. He did not think that congress ought to adjourn for the holidays until the bill was disposed of. He had not the least desire to delay action. On the con trary he wished to expedite It In every possible way. But he thought the ac- tion taken by the senate in its ordinary and usual way. after the report or a com mittee, would have far more weight and would meet much more certainly with the approbation of the whole American people than if the bill was passed now without having consideration from the appropriations committee. If it were re- ferred today it could come back tomor-
 
 Let congress-" MT. Lodge exclaimed. "remain in session until the bill is dis posed of Surely, at this time senators are not going to set the ques- ton of holiday against dealing with a matter which Involves principle on which are staked the interests and safety of the United States and which may bring hostilities between the two great English-speaking nations of the world. IL is of the ut most importance that we shall show to inc world that we are united. without distinction of party or of section in sup port of the policy which the presidents message outlines. We shall be willing to say. as we boasted. that our politics stop at the waters edge. and that when we come 10 deal with foreign question we are all simply Americans. It has been freely charged in the English press pub lished in London and in that small edition of it published in the city of New York that this whole. thing Is A matter of politics. and that 1t Is being used by the president for elec- tioneering purposes. This is the most mistaken view ever uttered. l believe that the American people, without dis tinction of party, believe in the Monroe doctrine"