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11 Pol. Sci. Q. 1 (1896)

handle is hein.journals/pclscceqry11 and id is 1 raw text is: Volume XI] POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY. THE MONROE DOCTRINE. WHETHER the student of history and politics will find in the study of what is commonly called the Monroe Doctrine encouragement or discouragement, depends upon his attitude toward the question propounded by Sir William Ham- ilton : Is truth, or is the mental exercise in the pursuit of truth, the superior end ? If he must have the truth, he can find it; but in the multitude and variety of interpretations pro- posed to him, he will require great firmness of mind to hold fast to it when he has found it. If, on the other hand, he merely seeks indefinite exercise, this may be readily obtained in following what is fast becoming, if it has not already become, the ignisfatuus of American politics. The object of this essay is to show the actual meaning and limitations of President Monroe's declarations, as they were understood at the time, and their subsequent history and perversions. In order that nothing essential to an understand- ing of the subject may be lacking, I will quote all the passages in President Monroe's message that have been cited as con- taining the expression of his doctrine : [i] At the proposal of the Russian imperial government, made through the minister of the Emperor residing here, a full power and instructions have been transmitted to the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg, to arrange, by amicable negotiation, the respective rights and interests of the two nations on the northwest coast of Marck, 1896. [ Number I.