Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-14
4 MONROE DOCTRINE.
FAdTs CONCERNING IT'S ORIGIN AND
WHAT IT SIGNIFIES.


yIr.l suerest~d by an Engiish statesmsn. |
sabmIsted to Jeasrson and Asdi'oa'
who Approved It--Never Received Goa
grksaionsi Affirmation.
I'd is singular fact that the Monroe
docttine is Of British origin. In 1928
Geo(ge Canning, British foreign secre-
tarylof state, suggested that the United
StatAs government should take decided
grorl bid against interference by the holy
aIli,Ince" in Mexico and South Amer
lea, where the Spanish colonies had es-
tabl shed their independence.
The "holy alliance" was a union OF
Austria. France, Prussia and Russia for
the maintenance Of the European mon
Mchles. II was formed soon after the
Napbleonic wars and was renewed and
strengthened in 1890, when uprisings
Occurred in several countries Of Europe
Great Britain had been asked to join the
combination, and some steps had been
takeh in that direction under Lord Cas-
,lerekgh. On his death by suicide Can
ninglbecame foreign minister, and I'M
der his guidance Great Britain held
alooi from the continental alliance.
Tie United States had recognized the
indetendence Of Mexico and the other
revoked Spanish colonies, and Canning
was Inclined to pursue the same course.
In li23 he suggested TO Richard Rush,
Unitld States minister at London. that
this government should express in n
furcitle manner its opposition TO inter
veniin by the European powers in be
half III Spain against Its colonies which
had .ljected allegiance
Tbs suggestion was conveyed to Pres
idend Monroe through John Quincy
Adams. the American secretary of state
President Monroe submitted the propo-
sitioil Of Canning to jefferson and Mad
is0n lor their opinion on the subject.
Jeffelson's answer was prompt and de-
cisivl in favor II such declaration as
Canning had suggested He said 10 was
the nj st momentous question submitted
for his opinion since the Declaration OF
Inde,tndence Madison approved Of
JoffeI sons opinion and equally appre-
cia,e,| the importance Of the question.
UBIler these circumstances President
Monrl., in his annual message Dec. 2,
1879. expressed the doctrine that has
n A l.. Il 300
some correspondence with Russia and
Gread Britain in regard 10 boundary
treat.ls. which the president described,
addirF:
III the discussions 20 which this in
terestl has given rise, and in the ar
rangcsuen,s by which they may termi'
nate. lhe occasion has been judged prop
or FOX asserting rs principle in which
tho rights and interests Of the United
states| are involved that the American
ooutiI ents, by the free and independent
condil lion which they have assumed and
mainibin. are henceforth not 10 be
consic ered n subjects OF colonization
BY an European powers "
rilctions in Europe. President Mon
rue said that the United States would
alwayt b. anxious and interested spec
tatursIof events. but declared:
In, the mass Of European powers IN
natteIs relating TO themselves we have
never taken any part, nor does IL COM
port With our policy 10 do so. IL is only
when bur rights are invaded or serious
Is metaced that we resent injuries or
make jreparntions for defense. With the
movements in this hemisphere we are Of
necessity more Immediately connected,
and bI causes which must be obvious 10
all enlightened and impartial obsery-
ers "
It'll + political system of the allied
powerl is essentially different in this
respect from that o. America This diff
ferencl proceeds from that which exists
in thet respective governments. And 10
the delenGe Of our own, which has been
ACQUIRED BY the loss Of SO much blood
and trtasure, and matured by the wis
dom 4 their most enlightened citizens.
and utder which we have enjoyed IN
exampled felicity. this whole nation Is
devoted. We owe il. therefore, 20 the
candurIand to the amicable relations ex-
listing between the United States and
those ,lowers to declare that we should
cunsidir any attempt on their parts 10
extendIiheir system 10 this hemisphere
a, danlerous To orr peace and safety.
With the existing colonies UT dependen-
cies od any European government we
have nIt irterfered and shall not inter
fere But with the governments that
have declared their independence AID
maintained it and whose Independence
we hayt on great consideration and on
Just pr lnciples acknowledged, we could
not viely any interposition for the pur-
pose oil expressing them. or controlling
in anylother manner their destiny, IN
any oiller light than as manifestation
Of an rInfriendly disposition toward the
UnitedlStates.
This bis the Monroe doctrine: /. No
new European colonies on this hemi-
sphere. 2. No interference with colonies
Of Eur bpean powers now existing. 8.
No intek ference by any European power
with thb affairs Of any American nation.
II is buk justice 10 say that the vigorous
LANGUAGE in which ii is expressed evil
IDENTITY dame from the able and caustic
pen N John Q. Adams, secretary OF
state. John c. Calhoun was secretary Of
war in he same cabinet and approved
the positions taken by the president.
This Eoctrine never has been affirmed
by congtess. In fact, il has been rejected
repeatedly when resolutions were offered
approx bg the acts Of the government on
the subject But il has been reaffirmed
by everf administration since that OF
Monroe in one form or another. The
vigorouj declarations Of Mr.. Seward and
the com (nencement Of preparations for
their enforcement drove France and
Spain f1om Mexico and secured the re-
establishment Of the republic after the
death of Macmillan. 1t is the doctrine
of the American people and never will
be abandoned. Chicago Chronicle
Ancestorx