The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-26
A FORMER MARION COUNTY MAN
WRITES FOR KANSAS CITY Pa
PER ON QUESTION OF INTER
EST JUST NOW.
lKansas City JOurnal.D

In answer to many questions re-
lating to the original scope and
meaning of the doctrine laid down
by President Monroe nearly 100
years ago, and its application TO eX-
listing conditions In Mexico. Judge
II. G. McDougal has prepared the
following for The Journal:
So many books and editorials have
been written and printed upon this
question, and so enron eouS and wide
spread are the conflicting opinions
relating to the application OF the
Monroe Doctrine" to present con-
ditions in Mexico. that it is doubted
whether it Is now worth while to 20
back to thee XaGt words employed by
President Monroe. or to venture at
opinion as to what he then either
said Or meant.
Hy reading Vol. . of the Mes
Sagcs and Papers Of the Presidents"
ut pages 207 to go, any one may
see. however. that in his seventh an
| Hual message 10 the congress, dated
December :. 1879, President James
Monroe discusses many public Qu"s-
lions. and in plain and patriotic
words lays down the principle since
| known as the Monroe doctrine"
For example, in discussing our re-
] !atiOns with foreign powers general
IS. he there says on page POS: 1T
is by our ability to resent injuries
and redress wrongs that NC may
avoid them"
Again. in speaking Of the then en-
| listing differences between our gov
rrnmcnt and that of the Russian
empire, II" says on page 209. las Il
principle in which the rights and
! inirr"sis Of the United States are
| Involved. tho American continents.
! by the free and independent c0ndi
ton which they have assumed and
| maintain. are honcciorth not to be
| considered as subjects for fulur"
colonization by any European pow
| cr."
| Later on. while talking OF tho rc-
| lations of this country with Spain
| and Portugal I'll" president finds l.
his duty Ito declare that W" should
] consider any attempt on their part
20 extend their system to any por-
lion of this hemisphere as danger
| GUS TO our pcaC" and safety: and
respecting those countries whose de-
! clarcd independence had been ac-
knowledged by this country. he says
| I'VE could not view any intcrposition
for the purpose Of depressing them.
or controlling in any other manner
their destiny. by any European pow
or in any other light than as tho
manifestation OF an unfrirndly dis
position toward the United States"
page 2lS.
| Throughout the entire message.
the president. in no uncertain words.
urges the policy OF neutrality, warns
the world that certain acts upon tho
part Of any Foreign government
| would be construed as Hnfriendly to
the United States. and evidently
meant tina no foreign monarchy
should thereafter establish and
maintain its form Of government on
| American soil. There is here no
threat OF war, or of any interference
] in any event.
The opinion u! no one party. and
no person, can matter in this con
trovcrsy: but ii is not apparent how
| . ,n Ia, ,..1s al
contents can COnstruC the plain.
words OF President Monroe into
meaning that ii is the duty of the
| United States to establish a pro
tcctorate over Mexico. or declare
war and send an army down there
to settle trouble for which this
| government is in no way responsible.
| European governments. as well as
some of our disintcrcstcd yet we'll
Dreaming citizens, cry aloud for war.
for Intervention. or Tor protector
ate. to stop the loss OF life and pro-
| tcct foreign capital now invested in
Mexico. and all because We must do
80 now or forever abandon til" Mon
roe doctrine" without knowledge of
either III" words employed by this
early day president or of the real
scope and meaning Of the doctrine"
| invoked.
While an old soldier and still
something Of a fighter myself, yet !
feel that one war is enough for any
one generation; and no nation
should resort TO arms until II must,
and no law or doctrine or policy now
calls upon Us 10 engage IN war with
Mexico. Being straight Republic
| can in politics, yet il seems to me
that President Wilson IS pursuing