The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-06-01


fering in American affairs. This prin-
ciple of resisting foreign powers was
embodied in declaration now known
as the Monroe Doctrine.
During his administration five states
were admitted into the Union: Miss
issippi IN 1917, Illinois and Alabama
in 1918, and Maine and Missouri in
1920 1t is also noteworthy that
Monroe was the first president to rec
ognize the South American Republics
In 1922 Ministers we're sent to Buenos
Ayres, Columbia, Chill and Mexico.
will now treat briefly with the
Monroe Doctrine.
1t is well to bear in mind at the be-
ginning, that this much-talked-of
doctrine is not part of our national
law. The government and people of
the United States are in no way COM
mitted to its enforcement. There is
no question but that it has a strong
hold upon our American sentiment,
and we as nation would regard with
disfavor any failure to maintain the
principles embraced therein. Monroe
alone of all the presidents of the
United States, has announced without
legislative authority political policy
which is still regarded as fundamental
principle and bears with it the stamp
of authorship at home and abroad.
We find the text of the policy in
Monroe's message of December 2, 1928,
of which 1 will read two short quota
tions.
"In the discussion to which this in
terest has given rise, and in the
arrangements by which they may
terminate, the occasion has been
judged proper for asserting as a prin-
ciple in which the rights and interests
of the United States are involved, that
the American continents, by the free
; and independent condition which they
. have assumed and maintained, are
| henceforth not to be considered as sub
jects for colonization by any European
, power.
J "We owe it, therefore, to candor, and
to the amiable relations existing be.
tween the United States and those
, powers, to declare that we should con.
slider any attempt on their part to ex
tend their system to any portion OF
) this hemisphere, as dangerous to oul
/ peace and safety With the existing
, colonies or dependencies of any Euro
3 pean power, we have not interferec
;. and shall not interfere, but with the
: governments who have declared theil
;. independence and maintained it, an(
9 whose independence we have, OF
S great consideration and on just prin
: ciples acknowledged, we could not view
:, any interposition for the purpose O.
depressing them, or controlling in an.
t other means their destiny by an.
:, European power, in any other ligh
S than as a manifestation of an un
s friendly disposition towards tn
d United States" =
II Prior to, and at the time when Mon
d roe gave utterance to the foregoin!
e-] words continued strife had existed be
tween Spain and her South American
1t colonies. England prepared medita
= ton and asked for the cooperation O
r the United States, but was infOrme
is that the government of the Unite
e States, after careful deliberatior
1t would decline to take any part in an
n plan of pacification, and if they did S
e. it would be on the basis Of indepenG
d, ence of the nations. This togethe
e. with the desire to have thorough uI
t. derstanding with Russia and Englan
If respecting their possessions on tn
N western coast of America, was largel
t. instrumental in causing or formula
s. ing the doctrine.
le The principles laid down in Monroe
le message of December 2, 1923, did ne
m excite the people of this country b
Q, their originality. We find that on
IT month and nine days prior to his me
10 sage, Monroe received letter frol
Thomas Jefferson stating that our fir
III and fundamental principles should /
a. never to entangle ourselves in the toi
of of Europe and never to suffer Eurol
a. to interfere or meddle with our affair
i'd In May, 1892, Washington said: "Tt