334 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future 

 colonization by any European powers. l 



After a digression upon other topics, the President turns 

 to the subject of the threatened interference in South 

 America by the allied powers of Europe : 



"It was stated at the commencement of the last session that 

 a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to 

 improve the condition of the people of those countries, and 

 that it appeared to be conducted with extraordinary modera- 

 tion. It need scarcely be remarked that the result has been 

 so far very different from what was then anticipated. Of 

 events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so 

 much intercourse and from which we derive our origin, we 

 have always been anxious and interested spectators. The 

 citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most 

 friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow- 

 men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the Euro- 

 pean powers in matters relating to themselves we have never 

 taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. 

 It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced 

 that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defence. 

 With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity 

 more immediately connected, and by causes which must be 

 obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The 

 political system of the allied powers is essentially different 

 in this respect from that of America. This difference pro- 

 ceeds from that which exists in their respective Governments ; 

 and to the defence of our own, which has been achieved by 

 the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the 

 wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which 

 we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is 

 devoted. We owe it therefore, to candor and to the amicable 

 relations existing between the United States and those powers 

 to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to 

 extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as danger- 



1 Italics not in the message. 



