Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09

Monroe doctrine is wholesome and en-
during. 1t is the faith of Americans
or every creed and party-is of the
very warp and woof OF our political be-
ing. 1t was promulgated at the crlti-
cal moment when the Holy Alliance"
was attempting to sttfie the republican
spirit. and re-eStablish the despotism
or Spain upon her revoltcd colonies in
south America and Mexico. The es-
sence of the doctrine as then under
stood by the world was. while We for
bid the establishment OF despotic gov
ernments upon the American CONT
nents, we recognize the corresponding
obligation to refrain from any attempt
to force our political system upon any
part OF the old world. This has been
our settled rule of faith and practice
for more than three quarters OF Il cen
tury. Its PRONUNCIATION defeated the
purpose of the Holy Alliance" and de-
stroyed forever the power of Spain
upon this continent. Under 1t. Louis
Napoleon. third of u century ago. was
compelled to withdraw the French
army from Mexico, and leave the ILL
starred Macmillan to his fate. Under
1t the empire established by foreign
bayonets disappeared, and the republic
was restored. Are we now to say we
still recognize the binding force of this
doctrine upon other nations, but not
upon our own?
If ultimate Statehood for these re-
mote islands-and others yet to be CON
quered-be displayed. how, then, are
they 10 be held and governed? The
only alternative is by force-by the
| power OF the army and of the navy
and this is not for n day. or for year,
but for time. What, then. becomes of
the bedrock principle that: Govern
| ments derive their just powers from
the consent OF the governed?" If they
are to be held permanently as CON
quered provinces, ii will be not only
outside of the Constitution, but in
direct antagonism to the letter and
spirit or our Declaration of Indepen-
| dence. II is no less true now than i'm
the days of our revolution. that "Gov-
eminent by arbitrary power Is still
ocSpotism.' The attempt. then. either
10 give these people American citizen
snip, or 10 hold them as subjects. Is to
| us fraught alike with peril. Should
there be an immediate declaration Inv
our government of its purnose towo,d.
thcm? They should be given unmis
taKaple assurance of indeDendnnca
protection by our government should
not now he withheld against outside I'm.
,,erierence. The same protection should
S cneirs extended to the little States
VI Scntrai and South America Under
existing conditions there should ba no
hesitation upon our part in giving them
| projection against the cupidity or nr
sresslve spirit of other nations. All
Inns not TO the end Of subiugati ton or
VI CONQUEST upon our part but to that
VI the illl enjoyment by them of ill.,
erty and of tho ultimate establishmant
VI stable government fashioned bv
their own hands.
IMPERIALISM.
Against this policy stands imnar;al
ISM. IN American politics the word is
neW-iortunately the policy is new. we
are To-Day incoming familiar with its
| fraa.A
emu is not yet. 1t means n permanent
departure from all the traditions of tho
past, from the high ideals of the found
erS OF the Republic. 1t abrogates the
| noiulns or our great court that the
Deciarat!on of independence is the
| spirit of the GoveMment-the Consli-
tuition but its form and letter. I'm
! pcfiaiism knows nothing of limitations
OF power. Its rule is outside the Con-
stitution. Ii means the establishment,
by the American Republic OF the co.
| lonlal methods of European mon
archies 1t means the right to hold
;tlien peoples as subjects. IL enthrones
force as the controlling agency in gov
ernment. 1t means the empire
AS necessary corrollary to imperial
ism Will come the immense standing
army. The dead hand OF militarism
VIII be felt in the new world as II
is in the old. The strong arm of power
| Will be substituted for the pcaceable
agencies which for more than n cen
/ fury have made our people contcnted
! and happy. II was jefferson who said;
"A well-disciplined militia-our best
reliance in peace and for the first mo-
ments of war True Mt the beginning
| of the century with Il few millions of
population. no less true ut the close
as we stand in the forefront of the
| nations with Il population of eighty
millions The result of our recent con-
nict with Spain gives emphasis to the
prophetic words OF Jefferson. Existing
| conditions in continental Europe-cn-
failing taxation ana misery to the
| verge of human endurancc-illustratc ted
by sad object lesson, the inevitable re-
suit of large standing armies In time
| of peace. Shall we stil give heed to
the warming of the great sage of the
| revolution, or enter upon n new CEN
! tury with European monarchies as our
model? Without n large standing
army, but relying upon the patriotism
and courage or American manhood we
were victorious in the second war with
| Great Britain. with Mexico In the
| great civil strife. and with Spain In
the light of history can ii be posi-
Bile that the American people will con-
sent to the permanent establishment
OF large standing army. and its con-
|