The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-10-12
THOMAS JEFFERSON, HOLY ALLIANCE,
MONROE DOCTRINE, AND MR.. SCRUGGS
By Thomas E. Watson.

Editor CONSTITUTION: In your issue OF
Wednesday Mr.. w. L. Scruggs, who
classes himself as one of my friends
and admirers" arraigns me as a care
less, inaccurate historian, and specifics;
two glaring and important misstate-
ments in my last book. The statements
which he denies are:
% That it was the purpose of the
holy alliance 10 compel the South Amer
lean republics to return to their ale
glance to Spain; and (2) that Jefferson's
letter of October. 1923. was the first
fun and explicit declaration of the AIou
roe doctrine"
Both these statements" says Mr..
Ecruggs are, of course, historically in
correct"
At 5he imminent risk Of giving the
said Scrusss a gentle shock, l deliberate
ly repeat both these statements. and
VIII prove them both to be correct.
Mr.. Scrugss says that l cite no au-
thority. for "the good and sufficient rea
son that there IS none" This curt and
peremptory method of settling historical
disputes viii hardly commend itself to
the intelligent reader. Had Mr.. Scruggs
written to me for my authority. as 50
many have done with reference to other
points, would have given it. as l have
done in so many other cases.
But in spite of the fact that he stands
IA the class of the friends and admir-
ers he publishes to the world his pos
tive declaration that my statements are
not founded on fact, and have no evil
aence 70 support them. If have de
Iiherateiy or recklessly falsified history
am not worthy of any mans friend
hip ana adnliration but if both my
statements are accurate and capable of
proof then Mr.. Scruggs has been guilty
of Wy hasiy and unWarranted criti-
e.sm.
Did not the holy alliance mean 10
bring hack to Spain her revoued colo
Iias Had noj the king Of Spain APP
laaled 10 the holy allies to restore to
rin his LOST provinces? As clearly as
any political scheme which never mate
rallied IS capable Of proof, the pur-
pose Of the holy alliance TO restore South
.lnerlca to Spain is provable.
As stated i'll my STORY OF France,
Napoleon" and Jefferson, the real
purpose of the holy alliance was to re-
store absolutisn, divine right and the
3espotic sway OF kings. Democracy was
restored to what they were prior 10 the
Disturbances of Napoleon and the French
revolution Ia pursuance of tins IN
famous plot against liberty and the peo-
pIe kineiy pledges OF reform which rad
rren made in Prussia, Austria, Italy,
tanee. Spain. were shamelessly broken
Armed legions traNpled down the demo-
ratic movements IN Europe. At the
fs!nt Of The hayonet The cruel. bieote1
ana utterly dciraved king Of Spain was
pnl back GA a throne from which the
tcop.e had huIled him: and he had hard
i, cadjusted himself before he besought
Inc holy alliance 10 help him recover
the South American republics which had
brown Off the spanish yoke. That the
allied kings intended to complete their
work by restoring 10 the Spanish king
what the revolution had taken from
hmm was the belief throughout Europe.
end ,hat belief finds expression IN ali
most every history Of the times. S.hou-
ler's History of the United States is
standard work and I quote from volume
H. beginning with page 279. ON which
The author states;
To Spain the alliance next directed
their course. bent on casting The CONT
uent once more into the chains 81 tae
eighteenth century. and now was threat
eued collision with Spanish America
aud the ideas ana policies Of the new
world"
From page to page schouier proceeds
10 treat The subject. stating that the
aoly alliance threatened 20 oyart,jrn tho
South American republics. and aF{e'
siving the narrative of Monr0e's famous
declaration. he says
Spanish American securities rose at
once IN The stock market. HE holy ai-