St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-21

| uOHlu1On OF sovereignty Oh the AHlefl-
can continents or the islands adjacent
thereto as the manifestation Of an I'M
| friendly disposition toward us. To
make this comprehensive, it is ex-
| fuence ''by or through force, purchase,
cession, occupation, pledge, colonial
| ton, protectorate or by control of any
easement in canal or any other means
Of transit across the American
| isthmus." It is evidently intended to
| cover Hawaii. Cuba and the Nicara qua
canal under this ample mantle, to-
| gether with any future question of pos
sible interference that may arise. And
in all such cases it is resolved that the
United States is to be the judge
whether what is done or suggested is
for or against it's interests, and there
fore whether it shall be cause of pro-
testation and, in the last resort, of re-
sistance.
| 1t strikes US that these resolutions
partake altogether too much of the
spirit of brag and buster with which
Americans are so generally approached
| abroad. The really strong and deter
mined nation does not go rearing about
the world with a chip on it's shoulder
and the skirts of it's coat trailing on
the ground 1t waits until it's right
its interest or its safety is involved,
| and then announces with calm deter
| mot h.
maintain. That is dignified and eff
fective. That Is what this administra-
ton has done in the Venezuelan case;
and it has commanded respect and
will win success largely because of it's
manner Of doing it. The man or the
nation that rushes to the front to shout
about the dreadful things that it is
going to dc in all imaginable contin-
gencies is usually set down as a brag-
CART; and instead If protecting itself
by loud self-assertion, finds frequently
that 1t has brought it's interests into
danger
Anything that congress can say will
be mere brutum fulmen. 1t does
not and cannot make International
law. The Monroe doctrine has been
accepted and upheld by us for sew
enty years 1t has been announced
again by Mr.. Cleveland, with the ap-
prevail of the whole nation. There is
little doubt that, should there be any
arrangement in the future for the ac-
QUESTION or transfer of power on this
continent through foreign hands, we
would assume the right to Judge it
with reference to our own interests.
The Monroe doctrine contains the
germs of all that; it's particular appli-
cation being left wisely in allegiance
until the circumstances arise that call
Tor 1t. Now the senate proposes to
rush into the breach, with a definition
and extension Of the Monroe doctrine
Which, not being called out by any,
Thing IN the present situation, and be-
ing therefore apropos of nothing. can
scarcely be construed as anything else
IMAM cauSeleSS challenge and hence
deliberate attempt to give offense
Let us wait until our rights are tbraa+-
ened, and then speak quickly and to
the point. The Globe believes in
the Monroe doctrine, and it's enforce
ment Oh the broadcast lines of devotion
to American interests. 1t finds these
resolutions, that could neither mean
nor effect anything if passed, another
instance of that officiousness which is
so much more popular in both honses
than the quiet performance of a plain
duty.