296 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



European forms of government was obvious. Indeed, in 

 some of the European nations a decided hostility had already 

 been manifested against tyrannical institutions. The belie] 

 that absolutism was divinely ordained, or that it represented 

 the best form of government, was being rudely shaker 

 throughout Europe. Royalty was naturally suspicious of al 

 movements toward popular institutions, and the fear that mon- 

 archical Europe would regard somewhat sullenly the success 

 of democracy in America, was not unreasonable. Here, then, 

 was a source of danger to be guarded against ; the liberty sc 

 dearly bought was truly worth the price of eternal vigilance, 

 A double peril was therefore presented to the struggling 

 young nation at the very beginning : First, the danger oi 

 being tempted into unfortunate alliances with strongei 

 powers ; and secondly, that of unprovoked attack by the 

 forces of monarchical government from purely political mo 

 tives. In those days royalty commanded stronger armies 

 and navies than the United States could possibly support 

 I The ideas of popular sovereignty and the divine right o: 

 I kings were essentially antagonistic; and the. notion that tin 

 crowned heads of the old world might seek to strangle the 

 infant giant of the new, was not altogether unreasonable. 



Mr. Jefferson expressed this apprehension as early as 1785 

 when he .wrote to Monroe from Paris, urging him to add his 

 "testimony to that of every thinking American, in order tc 

 satisfy our countrymen how much it is in their interest tc 

 preserve uninfected by contagion those peculiarities in theii 

 government and manners to which they are indebted foi 

 those blessings." In his second annual address of December 

 1798, John Adams said : 



To the usual subjects of gratitude I cannot, omit to add one ol 

 the first importance to our well being and safety ; I mean thai 

 spirit which has arisen in our country against the menaces and 

 aggression of a foreign nation. A manly sense of national honor, 

 dignity, and independence has appeared which, if encouraged and 

 invigorated by every branch of the government, will enable us tc 

 view undismayed the enterprises of any foreign power and be- 

 come the sure foundation of national prosperity and glory. 



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