THE MONROE DOCTRINE 351 



Mr. Adams takes up the question of whether " the measure 

 might not have a tendency to change the policy hitherto in- 

 variably pursued by the United States of avoiding all entan- 

 gling alliances and all unnecessary foreign connections." 

 " Mindful of the advice given by the father of our country," 

 he declares that the counsel of Washington in that instance, 

 "like all counsels of wisdom," was founded upon the fact 

 that " Europe had a set of primary interests " all her own, 

 and having but a remote relation to us, could only involve 

 us in needless dispute, did we concern ourselves about them, 

 but now, having u more than realized the anticipations of 

 this admirable political legacy," by our growth and expan- 

 sion we have arrived at a point when " America has a set of 

 primary interests which have none or a remote relation to 

 Europe ; that the interference of Europe, therefore, in those 

 concerns should be spontaneously withheld by her upon the 

 same principles that we have never interfered with hers, 

 and that if she should interfere, as she may, by measures 

 which may have a great and dangerous recoil upon ourselves, 

 we might be called in defence of our own altars and firesides 

 to take an attitude which would cause our neutrality to be 

 respected, and choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by 

 justice, should counsel." Following the same idea he con- 

 tinues : 



To the question which may be asked, whether this meeting 

 and the principles which may be adjusted and settled by it as 

 rules of intercourse between the American nations may not give 

 umbrage to the holy league of European powers or offence to 

 Spain, it is deemed a sufficient answer that our attendance at 

 Panama can give no just cause of umbrage or offence to either, 

 and that the United States will stipulate nothing there which 

 can give such cause. Here the right of inquiry into our pur- 

 poses and measures must stop. The holy league of Europe itself 

 was formed without inquiring of the United States whether it 

 would or would not give umbrage to them. The fear of giving 

 umbrage to the holy league of Europe was urged as a motive for 

 denying to the American nations the acknowledgment of their 

 independence. That it would be viewed by Spain as hostility to 

 her, was not only urged, but directly declared by herself. The 



