The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-03
MONROE IDEA IN BRIEF.
Joshua Leavitt's Exposition OF the System
of Policy as Seen In 1851

| Joshua Leavitts Exposition OF the System
of Policy as Seen In 1861.
Chicago. December ?5.--To the Editor:
II we are to obtain any compensatory
ADVANTAGE 10 offset the loss of the $1,000,
100 oc0-which George w. Smalley. the
New York correspondent of the London
Times, assures us was Americas loss up
10 date" by reason OF the recent renn-
nouncencnt Of tho Monroe doctrine IN nc
half of Venezuela, think 1t will have 10
be secured In the better and more thor
oleh understanding of that doctrine, by
reason of the renewed discussion OF IT,
caused by its vigorous statement by tho
present administration.
Az IL Part OF such discussion. I have
found in Harper's Magazine for 1864 an
article written by Joshua I.eavitt while
Macmillan was In Mexico, which IL so
terse and complete an exposition of the
view them taken OF the scope and meaning
of the Monroe doctrine rs to induce me to
copy II In the hope TINT Its Importance
and interest at this time will secure Its
publication by you AS further contri-
button to IA better understanding OF so
imnortant n doctrine by the general pub
lic 1t is as follows:
cred, is not a mere solitary axiom of d.
pomacy. Of dspuiable meaning. OF I'M
certain application or OF no valid author
ity. on the contrary. 1t represents com
prehensive system of policy, both consist
ent and of profound wisdom, including
the whole conduct of our government
toward the new republics of South Amer
len. from their first efforts Mt indcpend.
unfit
tho recognition OF Europe.
Theoretically 1t is great system OF
doctrine arising out OF the nbture OF our
Institutions, regulating our relations Doth
with Europe and America ana essential 70
the pormanency Of our National character
and Independence. -,
'The Monroe doctrine. considered thus
as the symbol or exponent OF the system
of policy adopted by Mr.. Monroe In reia-
ton to the Spanish American states. may
be characterized as II system OF duty
which lis morally right. politically wise
and logically consistent: that this Nation
will do right; that the political system or
Europe is incompatible win mat oil Amer,
lea. that we VIII do what we can to lead
Europe to IA better system ana 10 bring
diplomacy under the highest law; that we
consider the whole Of this continent APP
proprlatcd and that We VIII hold any at
tempted Intervention OF European powers
for Tho sake Of controlling affairs In Amer.
ica an injury to ourselves, which we snail
resent or resist as we think proper.
"Thls system OF doctrine is substantially
Identical with the immortal policy OF
Washington, as exhibited IN his proclama-
ton Of neu,raityIths sn6iimest act e MS
In his farewell address In words OF almost
superhuman wisdom
1T comprises, In substance. also the
principle of non-intervention, which tho
liberals of continental Europe long for
and which kossuih argued Tor 80 effect
T. in this country. II Is not. however,
Mandy PANTY sentimentalsm OF non
intervention which Idly weeps for the
sufferings of tho oppressed. but lifts
neither hand nor voice for their deliver
when he whined out, Am ! my brother y
keeper II is not the cowardicel of i'm
becility which shrtnks from speaking the
truth or doing what Is right through base
and seryiie fear Of loss. 1t Is inieryen-
ton withstood manfuliy and prevented en-
ergetically, In proper circumstances II
Intellectual boldly takes him by the throat
aud hurls him back from his victims. II
means that we will not submit to wrong
toward ourselves. and when duty calls
we w.il cerpsure and even resent II wrong
done 60 D, hers. II includes what kossuth
termed Intervention for non-intoryentton
The closing declaration by President Mon
roe produced an effect upon Europe which
IL is Impossible for the present generation
To realize. That whole continent was thor
firmly, united IN one political system dc
tilied by the most solemn compacts and
sustained by veteran armies, ana all aotu-
atru by the common conviction tiIt inc
ono grand political danger of the civilized
world was In the spread OF liberal prime
pies, OF which the United States were The
source ana feeabed And while they were
actually ncgc u0tlng an eng themselves for
the commencement of operations expected
10 cripple and ultimately crush rs. be-
hold, they are 81 dderiy confronted by the
yol ng republic looking all Europe boldly
In the face and crying. Hands off, ruff
fiansr And they very prudentiy kept
hands on for forty years. Perhaps by
this time some of them wish they had kept
hands Off still longer"
Who shall say that history II not repeat
Ing itself? / think you will agree that
the manifesto OF Olrey and Cleveland has,
at least. made II possible for this present
generation 10 realize the effect produced"
at tho time by Monroes declaration, and
that, II England does not heed 81, she as
France In the Maximillian cave, may wish
she chad kept hands or q little longer"
N. w. Bliss.