Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/146

126 never permitting those of Europe to intermeddle with the affairs of our nations. It is to maintain our own principles, not to depart from it. * * * With Great Britain withdrawn from their scale and shifted into that of our two continents, all Europe combined would not undertake such a war, for how would they propose to get at either enemy without superior fleet?"

The result of this statement, enforced by practically identical advice from Madison, and co-operation of that far-sighted and rugged American, John Quincy Adams, was the state paper most vital in the life of our country. This was the message sent by the President to Congress, Dec. 2, 1823. It embraces the set of principles known as the Monroe Doctrine. They constitute the basis of a major part of our national policy and diplomacy. This message says:

"The occasion has been judged proper for asserting as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved,