The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-05-22
CLOSING SPEECH FOR THE AFF1RMA TIVE
MILDRED sWIGART.


MILDRED swIGART.
The Monroe Doctrine, as asserted by Presi-
dent Monroe, was the solemn affirmation on the
part of the United States as the foremost Re-
public of the world prosperous and glorious in
its own independence and freedom, that no
foreign powers should be allowed to invade or
to interfere with the free development Of the
nationalities Of America. And 1t is the very
moral grandeur of this true American Monroe
ism which has made it difficult for some of our
transatlantic neighbOrs to fully appreciate it.
President Clevelsnd's late message has been
very generally discussed in England as vel as
In this country. Whatever the outcome of this
International furry may be, the English as well
as ourselves will be better informed as to the
political position which the United States oeeu-
pies on this hemisphere. For many years, in
the view of England, Mr.. Cleveland has been
regarded as the conspicuous example of wisdom
among American statesmen. Just as long as
he was forcing legislation favorable to English
industries and tearing down the American flag
abroad he was the embodiment of greatness
But the moment he asserted the Monroe doc
trine in way that interfered with the plans of
England. he fell. in the English mind. from a
that in the light of his former attitude his mes
sage was the act of politician rather than the
achievement of statesman.
AS soon as The news crossed the Atlantic that
both houses of the National Legislature had
unanimously endorsed the Presidents message,
ii began to dawn upon the English mind. that
even if Mr.. Cleveland was merely a designing
politician. HE had struck the popular chord
and had acted the Mark Antony quite sue
cessfully.''
But the enthusiasm of the people of the
United States in support of the Presidents
message was an uprising o. the true American
character and patriotism. to which there has
been no parallel since that sublime awakening
of the people at the moment when the first
rebel gun opened fire on Fort Sumptsr.
If there is any merit in the Monroe doctrine,
or If there is any reason why we should uphold
the principle of noninterferenee with American
Republics by European Governments it is es-
sential that there should be definite bound
airy line between the possessions of the English
and the Republic of Venezuela If there is to
be no limit to the extension Of the English col
onies, how will the citizens upon the disputed
territory know to what country they belong or
to what government they must pay taxes
They will also be ignorant OF what laws they
must obey, to what government they can look
for protection in citizenship and in property
rights, and to what flag they owe allegiance.
The United States does not desire to assume a
protectorate over the American states or to be-
come responsible for their misdeeds. but 1t
does claim that no European nation shall be
allowed 10 encroaeh upon one foot of American
soil.
At the beginning of the Civil War Abraham
Lincoln said that his party would not interfere
with slavery where it existed, but they were
opposed to its extension in new territory. So
We today assert the policy that we will not in
terfere with the defined rights and existing
territories of European nations 1pon the west
ern hemisphere. But if these foreign nations
begin unwarranted Entertainments upon the
American continents we should not care to in
sure results in their favor. for such results
might even include the ultimate loss of their
present holdings.
1t may DE argued that President clevelands
message was an action premature and inoppor-
tune in view Of the business and financial con-
dition of this country. This would indeed be a
superficial criticism. For the financial crisis
came on four or five years ago, and in the
meantime is the United States to take no notice
of great affairs? Senator Daniels well said
Unsettled questions have no regard for the
repose of nations" II may be stated at the
same time. that this country has never refused
in all its history, TO support President who
was guarding its rights and interests. If any