The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-02-07
OUR LARGE ILLUSTRATED CATRL0GUl
THE MONROE DOCTRINE DEFlN-
ITION.

devotes over a column and a half ed
itorially to the senate resolutions
drafted by Senator Davis, in which it
attempts to show that the definition
given by Senator Davis is wide de-
parture from the doctrine as set forth
by Monroe. 1t processes to believe
that the resolution as reported is
contradictory and destroys itself. The
chief point which seems to stir up
the Weekly, however, is that the re-
solution does not agree with the posi-
tion taken by president Cleveland.
This is piece of audacity which cam
not be forgiven, and consequently the
doctrine as defined by Senator Davis
is 'sa gratuitous insult to all the fore
most of friendly nations" and that he
has taken advantage Of the occasion
'to play the demagogue with such a
fire-brand of public sentiment, with
no conceivable END but the attain
ment of partisan success or personal
leadership" and says that it is "a
conspicuous illustration of that pa
triotism which DR.. Johnson calls the
last refuge of scoundrels.' And yet,
it fails to show in any particular
wherein Mr.. Davis is either a dema-
gogue or scoundrel, or wherein he
was not actuated by the highest
degree of patriotism, but rings in the
charge which has been made by near
ly all of the opponents OF
the resolution that this is an
inopportune time to press it,
because the Venezuela matter is
not settled. That is one of the very
best of reasons why the matter should
now be defined and made part of
our national policy, so that European
nations may know just where we
stand. 1t does not preclude just
and peaceable settlement of the diff
| ficulty, nor in any manner interfere
with the arbitration of the differ
ences between England and Vene-
zuela, nor the taking from the former
any OF her just rights upon this con-
tinent, but simply that she shall not
| now or hereafter attain possession of
any territory, whether in Venezuela
or elewhere, which does now and has
in times past belonged to American
nations.
One point which the DIRECTORS to
the resolution bring against it, and
which is supported by the Weekly,
is that it objects to the acquiring Of
new territory upon the continent by
European nations by purchase and
that this will stop any nation upon
this continent from entering into any
, agreement whereby it may dispose to
a European power any portion of it's
| territory. 1t would seem that the &C
quiring of additional territory upon
this continent by'purchase, by ma
tion of Europe, would be as detri-
mental to the interests Of the United
States, as it would if acquired in any
other manner. 1t is claimed that an
extension of the possessions of the
nations of the old world upon this
continent will be against the inter-
est of this country and the progress
of nations that have been established
here. If this is so, and the electors
to the Davis resolutions do not deny
it, it is hard to see wherein that &C
quirement is any less Objectionable
if secured by purchase.
The fact is the resolution does not
90 beyond the position advanced by
President Monroe and which has been
since followed by the country. 1t is
simply definition of it in a form to
be engrafted by congress as part of
our national policy, that there may be
| no dispute about it in the future, nor
springing of loOpholes for path to
back down from its strict enforce
ment.
Seeding is progressing in Martin
county, and will be in this county