The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-12-20
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

In these days when there are wars
and rumors of wars between Euro
pean governments and American
countries, when the great MonrC g
Doctrine is feing severely tried. as
well as ably discussed, it is well that
We, as American citizens, should seek
to know exactly what is meant b.
the Monroe Doctrine. In other
words, TO properly defend and pro
tect the doctrine, we must be we'll ac-
quainted with it; know what it
means aud what it does not mean.
lie must be remembered. in the first
place, shat the declaration on which
Monroe, in 1923, consulted his Cabi-
net and his two predecessors, Jeffer-
son and Madison, related TO the med
ding of the Powers of Europe in the
affairs of the American States: that
the kind of meddling then declared
against was such as tended 20 con
troll the political affairs of America.
or was designed TO extend to tue New
World the political system and insti-
tuition of the Old.
The declaration did not mark ont
any course of conduct to be pursued.
but merely asserted that interposi-
tion of the kind mentioned would be
considered as dangerous TO our peace
and safety, and a manifestatio of
an unfriendly disposition toward the
United States.
This doctrine has never been in
dorsed by any resolution or act of
Congress, but still remains the decla-
ration OF a President and his Cabinet
1t has, however, been most heartily
endorsed by the American people. and
their endorsement is equivalent to.
IL not stronger. than that of any
Congress. for the people. not Con
gress, rule this country. 1t is of lit
tie Importance, therefore. whether
Congress endorses the doctrine or
not.
The Monroe Doctrine Is nothing
more nor less than a simple and plain
statement that the people of the
United States oppose the creation of
European dominion on American
soil, and that any attempt TO do this
will be regarded as dangerous 20
our peace and safety"
The doctrine does not provide an,
remedy for such interposition. but
this much is certain, that whenever
the people of the United States con-
slider anything dangerous to their
peace and safety they will remove
the danger, even though it mean the
shedding OF blood.
The doctrine does not contemplate
forcible Intervention by the United
States in any legitimate contest. but
1t will not permit any such contest
TO result liz the Increase of European
power or influence on this continent.
nor in the overthrow OF an existing
government, nor in the esta blishm-nt
oil protectorate over them. nor in
the exercise OF any direct control
over their policy or institutions.
Further that this the doctrine does
not go. Ii does not commit us to
take part in wars between a South
American Republic and a European
sovereign when the object of the lat
ter is not thefounding OF monarchy
under a European prince in place Of
an overthrow republic.
In the present trouble, therefore. if
the European forces only hold the
Nenezuelan ports temporarily in or
der to collect a debt, the doctrine
does not apply, but if they should
attempt to hold those ports perma-
nently or forever, then the doctrine
would apply, and our duty would be
TO resist the invasion at any cost.