Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-01-03
The Monroe Doctrine.

prosperity OF our government. The
first OF those is the avoidance of all
foreign "entanglirg alliances" and
the second opposition to the acquisi-
ton by conquest OF American soil by
any foreign power.
The occasion for the assertion Of the
Monroe doctrine, arose in 1923 as re-
suit OF the conduct of the imbecile and
treacherous monarch Ferdinand VII OF
Spain towards the revolted and nearly
independent American colonies,
whereby they would have been re-
duced to abIect servitude to the will Of
the imperious monarch. The Spanish
people had adopted constitution
which left Ferdinand very little except
the trappings of royalty. A congress
Oh the great powers of continental
Europe had been held at Verona, the
previous year, and formed league
known as the "Holy Alliance" whose
object was the maintenance Of despotic
authority and the repression OF popu-
lar government. To overthrow this
dangerous example of the Spanish
people French army of 100, 900 men.
led by the Duke d Angouleme, had
invaded Spain and restored to Ferdi-
nand his grossly abused power, and it
was the extension OF this oppression
to her American colonies which led to
the vigorous protest of President Mon
roe and gave recognized vitality to the
principle known as the Monroe doc.
trine. In point of fact, however
Washington, in his Farewell Ad.
Dress" with peculiar clearness and
emphasis, had set forth the same ides
in his admonitions to the infant re-
public. Among other clear.cut SEN
fences, in that inspired address were
the following:
The great rule of conduct for us in
regard to foreign relations is, in extend
ing our commercial relations, to have
with them as little political connection
as possible. Europe has set of pri.
mary interests, which to us have none.
or very remote, primary relation
Hence she must engage in frequent con.
troversies, the causes Of which are es'
sentially foreign to our concerns
= hn 60 II:
cate ourselves by artificial ties in the or.
binary vicissitudes OF her politics, or the
ordinary combinations and collisions oil
her friendships or enmities.
"Our detached and distant situation in.
vites and enables us to pursue different
c0mnsaWe remain one people, under
an efficient governmnt, the period is not
far Oft when We may defy material in.
jury from external annoyance; when we
may take such an attitude as will cause
the neutrality We may. at any time re-
solve upon to be scrupulously respected ;
when belligerent nations, under the i'm
possibility of making acquisitions from
us, will not lightly hazard the giving us
prOvocatiOn; when we may choose peace
or war. as our interests, guided by JUS
tice, shall counsel. =
A matter of interest in the present
assertion of the Monroe doctrine is OBJ
served in the attitude of Great Britain
at the time towards Spanish aggres-
sion. Mr.. Canning. then the master
spirit of the British cabinet, so far as
foreign affairs was concerned, init
mated his acquiescence in . moral
denomination against; the appre.
hended designs of the Holy Alliance
with regard to this continent-an ex.
igency very similar to that now pre-
sented-a demonstration which could
be made with greater propriety from
this side of the Atlantic than the
other. It was when thus admonished
by the founder of our government and
supported by the parent government,
President Monroe found little difficulty
in outlining the policy which has ever
since been emblazoned with his name.
The following quotatson from the mes.
sage of President Monroe to Congress.
submitted Dec. 2, 1923, will afford,
with the above reference to the his.
toric conditions which called it forth,
very fair understanding Of tho sub
ject Of inquiry:
"Of events in that quarter OF the globe
vrsfh Nxyns nj Vun a v6 ca mi xph int
and from which we derive our origin, we
have always been anxious and interested
spectators. The citizens of the United
States cherish sentiments the most
friendly in favor of the liberty and hap
piness of their fellow-men on that side
of the Atlantic. In the wars of the Eu-
ropean powers. in matters relating to
themselves, we have never taken any
part, nor does it cOmport with our policy
so to do. 1t is only when our rights are
invaded or seriously menaced, that we
resent injuries, or make preparation for
our defense. With the movements in
this hemisphere, we are of necessity
more Immediately connected, and by
causes which must be obvious to all en-
lghtened and impartial observers, The
political system of the Allied Powers is
essentially different in this respect from
that of America. This difference pro
ceeds from that which exists in their re.
spective governments. And to the de.
tense of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood
and treasure, and matured by the wis.
dom of their most enlightened citizens,
and under which We have enjoyed unex.
ampled felicity, this whole nation is de-
voted. We owe it, therefore, to candor,
and to the amicable relations existing
between the United States and those
powers, to declare, that we should con.
slider any attempt on their part to extend
their system to any portion of this hem.
isphere as dangerous to our peace and
safety.
with the existing colonies or depen.
denotes Of any European power, We have
not interfered, and shall not interfere.
But with the governments which have
declared their independence and main.
tanned it, and whose independence we
have, on great consideration and on lust
principles, acknowledged. We could not
view any interpositiOn for the purpose OF
depressing them, or controlling in any