Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-04-16
DEP ARTMENT.
Something about the Monroe Doc
trine and it's Originator,
MABEL II PoMERoY, EDITOR

of the United States, in whose mes
sage to congress occurred the famous
words which has caused 30 much stir
all over the whole civilized world was
born April 2S, 1758 in Westmoreland
county, Virginia, he received a good
education, and was completing his
course in William and Mary College,
at Williamsburg, when the revolt OF
the colonies against the British in
1776 caused him to suddenly leave
his studies and enter the Continental
army; and from this time on he was
actively associated with American at
fairs. He studied law under Thomas
Jefferson, but was being continually
called upon to serve his country in
some capacity, Among some OF the
leading and important affairs in which
he was an active party was when he
insisted upon the rights OF the colon
les to the free navigation of the Mis-
slssippi river, to which Spain, who
held the land at its mouth, strenously
objected. He was decided oppon-
ent to Washington's administration,
and particularly opposed Hamilton's
measures in the treasury, and the
founding of the bank Of the United
States. He was sent to Paris to ne
gotiate for the right Of the states to
navigate the Mississippi river. In-
stead Of this, he succeeded in making
the purchase Of what is known under
the title of the Louisiana Purchase"
for which territory $15,OOO0OO was
paid, He was inaugurated president
of the United States March 4, 1877,
and was unanimously elected by the
people, the war Of politicians stopped
for a time, and this period received
the name of the EZRA of Good Feel
ing" During the years of presidency
occurred the famous Missouri Com
PROMISE" the purchase of Florida
from Spain. Then the Spanish-Amer-
lean colonies revolted and seven new
republics were formed, with constltu-
tions similar to the United States,
those who claimed recognition, were
Buenos Ayres, Guatemala, Chill,
Peru, Columbia, Mexico and Central
America, these republics were feeble
and unable to battle for their rights
or to support their institutions; and
Spain also felt unable to fight these
rebellious colonies applied to the
"Holy Alliance" of Europe for aid.
While the newly pledged republics
appealed TO the United States for
recognition and support, the situation
was a grave one; these new republics
struggling for freedom and crying to
their neighbor the United States, who
was SO shortly before, in the same sit
uation, for support. On the other
hand, the nations Of Europe were
bound by the Holy Alliance" which
could force them to war against the
United States, if they so decreed, and
such war would mean the certain
loss of the liberty to the United
States, which had so dearly been
bought, What wonder our country
hesitated long on the question.
The freedom of these Spanish
American colonies meant larger and
greater freedom to the whole Ameri-
can people, but the United States
feared to lose, IN grasping for more,
its independence. Congress debated
long and earnestly. Monroe and the
Secretary of State Adams, were in
favor of recognition but calmly wait
ed, then Henry Clay, in a fiery speech
before the house of representatives
inspired the country with resolution,
and induced congress to pass the bill
recognizing the independence of the
new republics.
Time passed on, but the membere
of the "Holy League" in Europe con-
tinued to harass the American COL
onies, then at last in December, 1922,
Monroe realizing the necessity of pro-
tecting the United States from Euro
pean interference, solemnly declared
in his message to congress the policy
of the United States in regard to
foreign lnterferences in the affairs Of
the American continent, in words
which has been lndissolubly assoclat-
ed with his name and which is known
as the Monroe Doctrine"
"The American continents, by the
free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintained,