New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-21
UPHOLD MONROE DOCTRINE.
"PEACEABLY IF WE CAN. BUT BY ARMS
IF WE MUST"
FREDERICK W sEwARDs COMMON SENSE STATE
MENT OF THE RELATIONS OF REPTB-
Lies AND MoNARCHIEs IN THIS
HEAIISPHERE

HEMISPHERE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: European Journalists and statesmen affect
TO regard our assertion Of the Monroe Doctrine IN
the case of Venezuela as new departure" "a
novel application OF a neglected principle an
assumption hitherto unheard Of, etc.
But. in truth, the Monroe Doctrine mas ior
years been quite as we'll understood by Europe
an Cabinets as by our own. While giving II no
formal assent they have accepted its essential
feature as a fact, and have shaped their GOV
ernmental policy accordingly. At every Foreign
Once in Europe Except. perhaps In Downing
st y Il is recognized as a self-evdent fact that
no European monarchy can extend Its dominions
on this continent by the forcbe seizure OF terri
tory.
Spain was the first TO find 1t out. Long ago she
abandoned any idea Of gaining new provinces. or
even of recovering old ones To-day she would
deem herself fortunate she could peacefuliy
retain the island dependencies that still remain
In her hands.
Russia. under the guidance OF sagacous Gort-
schakoff and liberal minded Alexander H. ga"
that her growing and expanding Empire "ould
never grow or expand on the American continent.
Her voluntary REIMBURSEMENT Of all her NortA
American possessions manifested her friendship
for the American Republic, as well as an ehhSh'-
ened regard for her own interests
France had always traditional friendship Tor
the United States. and sympathy with republican
ideas But her Government at one uine' MIS-
led by dreams of military Imperialism, sought the
concurrence OF Austria and Belgium In establish
ing an Empire on American soil Each gained
profitable experience from the disastrous out
come of that enterprise Neither seeks or desires
f. extend monarchcal institutions III this drec-
ton
Holland and Switzerland may claim 10 be ths
nropenitors of our republican system, and Italy
has always been its friend
Germany has but lately entered upon the
career Of territorial expansion. but her s'a'eS
men from Bismarck down have been too clear
sighted not TO perceive that other helds are
more inviting and profitable. She does not seek
10 extend monarchical dominion among Amer
lean republics.
Great Britain alone threatens to take land.
not because 1t has been adjudged to be hers' Dut
because she feels strong enough to wrest 1t from
a weak republic. ..,
Lord Salisbury made a mistake In rejecting
arbitration Arbitration could deprive neither
party OF anything justly belonging to them.
His Government and our own have repeatedly
had recourse to II as the happleSt soiu'ioh vi
Wiser was the statesmans utterance, There
Is room enough for US all In Asia. lie might
have added land in Africa From oriental
despotism and African savagery 10 the milder
sway Of European monarchs Is a change for the
better No one opposes It. II only the monarchs
can agree among themselves But monarchy
Ia q plant that will not thrive in American soil
1t cannot be transplanted there. IT died
natural death in Brazil 1t lives forced and
formal life in Canada, only by conceding 10
popular demands more than Pitt or Burke or
Fox ever asked for the thirteen colonies
North and South America have been CHOSEN
SIS the field for the worlds greatest political eX-
periment-that Of republican sclf-government.
The experiment is but little more than century
old yet IL has alrea ly achieved such marvellous
results that II will not be discontinued.
Blu. the Monroe Doctrine" Gays the imperial
commentator. lis not admitted part Of ip-
Declaratio Of Independence nor the Constitu-
ropean Governments respect them, because they
So IL will be with the Monroe Doctrine
least the right Of existence and therefore the
duty of self preservation. We In civil
war period how ready the European monarchles
were 10 make partition and division Of this con-
tinent: when overthrow the republic in San
Domingo another set up throne in Mexico
and a third swept our commerce from the seas
We learned then that II we want republican
sef-government 10 continue to exist on this con-
tinent we ourselves must be its chief opponents
and defenders. peaceably II can, but by
arms II we must.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD
MOntrose- on the Hudson, Dec 90 1895.