The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-18


propensity for surprises.
Nothing in any state paper that has
ever borne his signature has better 81
Iustrated this propensity, and nothing,
be it said, has 80 thoroughly exemplihed
the possession OF that back bone with
which even opponents have from time to
time been compelled to credit CLEvE-
LAND, and which is proverbial with mis-
friends. 1t has been claimed by the
wesk-kneed that the Monroe Doctrine
has not been seriously exercised since its
first enunciation, and accordingly has
fallen into disuse and expired by limita-
tion as a factor in our diplomacy. But,
at the Presidents hands, II is enuncisted
in no mistaken terms, interpreted with
as much vehemencs and breadth an Mon
ROE himself; could ever have anticipated.
The American people will stand by Mr..
CLEVELAND, and Whatever the immedia ate
outcome OF the controversy, now brought
to a pain issue, the message will be Of
enduring Importance and have the effect
OF what the President might himself ex.
press ss "reconsecrating" nation to a
principle that may be said TO be related
to the Declaration of independence much
as the Golden Rals is to the Ten Com
msndments.
There is no reason to get excited over
the message. II does not mean war; not
by any means, at least moi q war prompted
by the United States. II is distinctly a
peace message, a command TO halt before
controversy has gone so far that peace
with honor might be deemed impossible
to one nation or.the other. The message
is couched in language as broad as the
doctrine itself, and so direct rs 10 leave
no question Ms to its specific application.
1t makes no boast. 1t is not intemrerate
There is no hurrah about 1t. Ii declares
in phrases OF courageous simplicity that
the Monroe doctrine represents funda-
mental principle in our relations with for
eign countries that the dispute bet ween
England and Venezuela directly concerns
that principle and that the principle is to
be maintained in this specific case. There
is no threat as there Is no boast. The
President has simply announced the at
titude OF this country, a position that
was taken nearly three-quarsers OF a GEN.
tury ago and that, il it has not been re-
asserted, as the President has proclaimed
it, by reason OF there having arisen no
contingency OF sufficient Importance
has yet been rc-afiirmed, never has heen
receded from, and the Ameriacan people
have never contemplated the possibility
OF receding from IL. The President could
have done nothing else at this time but
declare that the Monroe doctrine is still
a doctrine OF the American nation. But
he is to be commended that he has ex-
pressed himself so unequivocally, SO de-
cidedly, while yet so temperately.
In the language OF the Monroe doctrine
interposition by any European power for
the purpose OF expressing or controlling,
in any manner the destiny Of the govern
ments on this hemisphere who have de-
clsred and maintained their independence
cannot be viewed by our Government in
any other light than "ss the manifestation
OF an unfriendly disposition toward the
United States" England has interposed
to control the destiny OF the Republic OF
Venezuela. She has already oppressed her
people. The United States Government
requested England to submit to srbitra-
tion her controversy with the weaker
nation. England declined, LORD SAILS
BURY declaring that what she was en-
gagged in doing was tho concern OF no
other nation. Immediately on learning
OF this decision the President OF the
United States, invoking the Monroe doc.