The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-25
K OF SUBSCRIPTION.
4 CALM LOOK AT THE MONROE
DOCTRINE.

a principle of such solemn capability
and that can produce such very grave
complications and results as the Mon
roe Doctrine should be well studied tr
the new century by statesmen, public
lists, administrators, journalists, politi
clans and the people generally. 1t is
not understood and the consequences o.
adopting it and enforcing it might leao
to mighty results and nationa.
~upheavals. A better comprehension OF
the Monroe Doctrine on the part of the
intelligent people might change the
views of millions who now believe in its
worth and advantages. There is a false
sanctity gathered about it. 1t was a
very bold, saucy step for so weak a re
public to tax in 1923. when il was cal.
oulated to provoke resistance. 1t was
George Canning, the eminent British
statesman, who first suggested this doc
trine for the United States. 1t was
John Quincy Adams who drafted the
document with it's new aggressive
policy. James Monroe wan president
and IN his message it was given to an
astOnished world. That it has not en-
broiled this country in great wars is
miraculous and is to be attributed to a
benignant providence who would shield
the new country from mistakes and
consequences growing out of them. The
writings upon this doctrine have been
endless AS late rs Cleveland's last
term Of office it came near bringing
about a war with Great Britain.
What would be the effects of this bad
doctrine 1t if was attempted to enforce
it in South America? Some two OF
three months ago the Messenger gave
some European opinions about the
United States as a sovereign overseer IL
the great continent to the south of us
The time is not distant probably when
= war will come from Uncle Sans arbi
trary and impairment interference in
South America, which to most Ameri-
cans is terra incognita. The Americans
in 1902 should be too intelligent and
prudent to adopt a policy that requires
supervision and defence of dozens of
peoples and over a country as extern
sive almost as the North American con-
tinent. There is no doubt hat nine
tenths of American voters favor the
doctrine who have never studied it or
critically examined it. So fixed is this
view Of the sacredness Of the doctrine
it is in fact an American fetch. When
ever it is candidly studied. with = pur-
pose and wish to find out what il
"a what it portends. what results
it has in store for this country in the
future. it will u a shaking of conf
dence in it's absolute excellence. AT
present it is an instinct as we'll as a
fad to hurrah for it, and to talk Of en-
forcing it at will as if d mere holiday
display. Fanaticism warmly defends it.
and it's most enthusiastic %votaries offer
incense at it's shrine. A very calm,
thoughtful, able paper in the British
F%ortnightly Review says OF this doc
trine
That no European power shall be
permitted to COLOMBO North or South
America, and that the present foreign
holdings On and around the continent
shall never be increased or transferred.
are propositions which Americans pas
~sionately and unreflectingly accept as
political axioms. The Monroe Doctrine
ia less a policy than 4 religion. and less
b religion han a superstition.
A great deal of nonsense from men
Of reputation has been published as ~
this political doctrine that dominates
the United States and invites the angr!
reproofs of foreign powers. That the
United States lis a Don Quixote of ma
lions and must e~ternally tilt against al,
other powers in behalf Of a policy that
really cannot concern lit very much,
is growing into positive absurditv,
Burke il was. we believe. who said an
hundred and odd years ago. that the
DAYS of Rivalry are passed" But il
this great country the Quixotic notion
fingers and possesses that it is a great
and glorious thing to redress the griev'
ances of the world and to assert thu
dominating spirit of this composite poo'
ulation.
What do you know of South Americs
its v~astness. it's hidden wealth. it!
rich lands. its Astounding rivers. it!
tremendous opportunities. its great in
vitations to the nations Of the world t
enter. to olonize to develop. to max
it the equal Of any land or continent?
The abandonment Of the Monro
Doctrine will in the end prove a safet.
valve a great saving in expenditures
a moral and political deliverance from
evils and consequences not TO be estima
ted fully. The able British reviewer ha'
this, and it is certainly worth consider
ing by rejecting minds. He is writin;
Of some of the obvious effects OF tn
Monroe Doctrine if extended and ap
piled to South America:
The Monroe Doctrine perpetuates II
South America the predominance OF
religion which Americans detest. OF
race which they despise and of a system
of government which in all but tn
name is a fat negation of everything
America stands for. 1t rules out leu
tonic civilization in favor Of the rehg
ions and military dispositions beyon: