Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-20

Monroe doctrine that would crafty. ne
thought, the present generation OF men.
and all generations of Americans who
might live hereafter.
Ii was an assertion OF the right OF the
United States as the controlling national
ity on this continent. Ii had been made.
and would stand as a law of the United
States. He was incapaoie OF expressing
the qualification he felt that a question
which had been so long debated had. at
last, received such a clear-cut definition.
He could never express his gratitude
that conclusion had been arrived at SO
entirely COMFORTING with the dignity and
honor OF the government OF the United
States, with its prestige among the ma
tons OF the world. and with the senti-
ment of all the people OF the country.
MIR. Sherman. who IL TO be Mr.. Nor
gans successor as chairman OF the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, was the
next speaker. He expressed his general
assent to MIR. Morgan's views. and COM
mcnded the Presidents message. but ia
vored reference of the House bill to
the Committee on Foreign Relation and
its deliberate consideration BY that COM
mittee and the Senate.
The bill as passed by the House should
be. he said, amended. defined, aud limited.
lie endorsed the Monroe doctrine. but
argued that It's application to a specific
case was n matter of the gravest i'm
portance to the United States and TO the
world. The controversy was serious
one. but he had no doubt that the ques-
ton would be settled peaceably.
An assertion should be made OF the
right of the United States to prevent
European Powers from invading the
American Continent and treating 1t a.
tal f~tA
was now settled I'm every part by people
OF European origin-England having the
greatest interest.
Under the circumstances" Mr.. Sher-
man declared" l do not expect that a
war will ensne; ! do not contemplate,
or wish TO contemplate. the possibility of
such an event. l have seen enough of
war in my time TO dread its principles
and its consequences. / 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 he did take. that It is our
duty. as the most powerful OF American
nations. TO say TO the countries OF Europe:
These two continents are already occu-
pied by Christian people; and we are
willing TO see that their rights shall not
be trampled upon by European Powers"
AS matter Of course. we cannot in
terfere in any agreement made between
Venezuela and Great Britain as to the
boundary between Venezuela and British
Guiana; but have map here (pointing
10 III which shows repeated encroach-
ments made by Great Britain This is a
serious controversy and Great Britain
has taken the ground that she will not
even submit IL to arbitration
MONROE DOCTRINE ENGLISH.
Now I think that the British people,
when they understand this matter; when
they see that IL has attracted the atten-
ton of the civilized world, will not in
sist upon that refusal. and especially
when II is recollected that the Monroe
doctrine was not. perhaps, as much the
doctrine Of Monroe as 1t was the doc
trfne of Mr.. Canning, the English Prime
Minister
while we arc in no hurry, / do NOT
wish this matter TO pend beyond the pres
ent session. But do think that the bill
ought to be referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations. and that IL should
be acted upon promptly. Let that COM
mittee hear suggestions OF amendment
TO the House bill. II all amendments be
voted down by the committee and the
Senate. and II they choose 10 take tho
House bill we'll and good. We will pass
it. But ! demand the right OF the Senate
10 consider so grave proposition as this.
and not to be hurried in its considera-
ton.
1T is supposed that we are a slow-mov-
ing body. Well we ought to be. This bill
ought TO be referred TO the Committee
on Foreign Relations. and the commit
tee should be instructed to report 1t
bsck-sey, tomorrow. or at any other
time necessary-and let II then be dis
cussed in the Senate. II the committee
reports that amendments are necessary,
and II the Senate adopts those amend
ments. l have no doubt that the House
will also agree TO them: and If the COM
mittee does not report any amendments
the Senate will pass the bill as IL came
from the House. This will show no haste
or excitement.
MR.. LODGE.
Mr.. Lodge said that IT would be diff
cult TO exaggerate the gravity of the
question involved in the bill. 1t 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 Rsla-
lions, and TO instruct that committee to
report at once tomorrow. If the Senate
so pleased. He did not think that
Congress ought to adjourn for the holt
days until the bill was disposed of.
He had not the least desire TO delay
action. On the contrary. he wished to
expedite il in every possible way. But
he thought that action taken by the
Senate In its ordinary and usual way.
after the report of a committee, would
have far more weight. and would meet
much more certainly with the approba-
ton OF the whole American people than
If the bill was passed now without having
had consideration from the appropriate
committee If 1t were referred to-day
II could be reported back tomorrow,
and passed by the Senate.
Let Congress" Mr.. Lodge exclaimed
remain in session until the bill Is dis
posed of. Surely at this time senator's
are not going to set the question of holi-
day against dealing with a matter which
involves a principle on which are staked
the interests and safety of the United
States, and which may bring hostlities
between the greatest English-speaking
nations of the world. 1t is of the utmost
importance that we should show to the
world that we are united, without distinc-
ton Of party or of section in support
OF the policy which the Presidents mes
sage outlines. We should be able to
say. as Webster said, that our politics
stop at the waters edge. and that when
we come to deal with a foreign question
we are all simply Americans.
at has been freely charged In the Eng
Iish press published in London, and that
smaller edition of 1t published In the
city Of New York. that this whole thing Is
a matter of politics. and that ii is being
used by the President for electioneering
purposes. This is the most mistaken
view ever uttered. l believe that the
American people. without distinction OF
party, believe in the Monroe doctrine"
MR.. VOORHEES,.
Mr.. Voorhees, SAID that he could see no
reason why action on the House bill could
nor be taken at once. He was not con-