Senator Daniel's Lecture

Senator John W.Daniel, of Virginia, spoke before au audienue nearly fllling University hall last evening, on "Americanisin and the Monroe Doctrine," his lecture being the lastone of the S. L. A. series for 1894-5. His lecture was greatly enjoyed, especially the portions relating to the current Nicaraguan troubles. He was eloquent at times and held the attentiou of his audience ín a masterly manner. Senator Daniel said that a great deal had been written on Americana but that no one one had ever deflned Americanisin. In bis opinión, it consisted of several leading characteristics,[or traits, that were predoniinant amona; our fellow countrymen. The most prominent' one of these was go-ahead-ativeness, followed by self-reliance ; inventativeness, partysm and above all things, publicity of everything. He said: "I believe that the secret ballot system now ia vogue throughout the land should be revised, and that all voting should be done viva voce. The people are tl io sovereigu power of this country, controlling all govern mental affairs. Now the president appoints all his officers openly and submits them to tlie sonate. The president is the servaut of tlie people. And I advocate that if we want piirity in politics, the only way to accotnplisl) it is to have each man stand out and openly state for wliom he has voted. This is Americanism, pure and simple. "As self-reliance is one of the elemental principies of the American people, andas we have existed for the past years without any standing army, andas our volunteermilitia are to be relied up on in an emergency, I am thoroughly opposed to increasing the standing army. "Some of the other characteristics of Americanism are : Patriotism, independence, constitutiohalism, unionism, nationahsm, raceism and stateism. "The dangerous tendencies that the signs of the times point to are the congestión of wealth and power and the rlocUing of the people tothe cities. The political powers of the federal government are fast becoming overwhelmed with business that they cannot attend to. These conditions have grown out of a peculiar individualism, which is greater than the power of the government itself. It is a natural result of freedom. It lies with the different states to counteract these tendencies. "The Monroe doctrine is Americanism pure and simple, put into effect bevond our boundariës. James Monroe, after whom this doctrine was nanied was the fifth president 'of the country, and was a man of restless activity. No American ever lived who was in closer touch with his country. His term of office was included in that part of our national history cominonly called the era of good .feeling. He was a statesman, equaled by few and surpassed by none. At the time Monroe issued his famous doctrine, there were too incidents attracting attention in the diplomatic world. At this time Eussia had issued a decree forbidding anyone fishing withiu three hundred miles of the Aleutian Islands. Iu Europe the Holy Alliance, or Conspiracy of Kings, as it was called here, had just been formed. A few years previous to this the revolt of Spanish colonies in Central America had taken place. Spain determined to enforce her claims with the sword, and in this was backed by the Holy Allinace. Great Britain becaine alarmed and consulted the United States as to the best methods of foreing Spain to desist from her attempt. Monroe at this time consulted Jefferson and Madison, and the famous Monroe Doctrine was advocated by both of them. Jefferson said that our first maxim was never to take part in any European controversy and never to allow any European power to oppress the nations of the two Aniericas. This sentiment was welcomed throughout England, South America and the United States. Bul shortly afterward the doctrine, under changed circumstances, became distasteful to England for she could nol gain any new territory under its provisions. "ïhere are four main ideas in the Moiiroe Doctrine. First, it advocates a non-interference on our part with poltical conditions in Europe. Efeoond, it advocates a non-interference with the then existing state of affairs. Third, it prohibits an extensión of European colonization and an extensión of tho political system of the European powers ontlietwo continents. Fourth, it guarantee freedom froni oppression by European nations to the existing independent states and nations of the two Americas. "Tliis doctrine was not formally made a law of the land, hut it is like the old coinmon law of England, written in the hearts of all loyal citizens, and freely stated is merely the policy of the country declared by Monroe. It has been a great effect on the destinies of the South American countries. Through its beueficeut operations, liberty and freedom have become household words therein. The doctrine wa.s a product of the spirit of the times and lias often been called the second declar' at ion of independence. John Quincy Adama advocated ita principies, President Pope reiterated it n 1848, during tbe Yucatán trouble, in 1852 it was brought to Great Britain's notice in the Claytou-Bulwer treaty, General ÍGrant made preparatiQns to enforce it when Maximilian obtained control of the Mex ícnn government, and it was mostly through this tliat he was torced to reare. Wben the Panama canal was started, Secretaiy Blaine called the at;entiou of France to it, and indeed, all ;he leading men of the country have advocated it. "In regard to the recent Nicaraguan ;rouble, I do not think that England has overstepped herself, but she is on ;he pèrilous verge of it. If, as the time goes on, it turns out that Great Britain nis leen employing these means to gain a foothold in Central America, tlien it will becouie our proud duty, and our rightful one, as the mother repulilic to take the part of both Venezuela and Nicaragua and demand that England shall desist. We have denied these countries the right to seek European protection, and if they are unlawfully oppressed, it is our duty„to protect tliem. As matters now stand, I think that Secretary Gresham bas taken the correct view."