, it was no
longer applicable,--that the question was new and complicated,--that it
was "full as much American as European, to say no more,"--that it
concerned the United States under aspects and interests as immediate and
commanding as those of any of the states of Europe,--that "they were the
first power on that continent, and confessedly the leading power"; and
he then asked, "Was it possible that they could see with indifference
their fate decided upon by Europe? Had not a new epoch arrived in the
relative position of the United States toward Europe, which Europe must
acknowledge? _Were the great political and commercial interests_ which
hung upon the destinies of the new continent to be canvassed and
adjusted in this hemisphere, without the co-operation, or even the
knowledge, of the United States?" With mingled ardor and importunity the
British Minister pressed his case. At last, after much discussion in the
Cabinet at Washington, President Monroe, accepting the lead of Mr.
Canning, put forth his famous declaration, where, after referring to the
radical difference between the political systems of Europe and America,
he says, that "we should consider any attempt on their part to extend
their systems to any portion of this hemisphere as _dangerous to our
peace and safety_," and that, where governments have been recognized by
us as independent, "we could not view any interposition for the purpose
of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by
any European power, in any other light than as _a manifestation of an
unfriendly disposition toward the United States_."[91]

The message of President Monroe was received in England with
enthusiastic congratulations. It was upon all tongues; the press was
full of it; the securities of Spanish America rose in the market; the
agents of Spanish America were happy.[92] Brougham exclaimed, in
Parliament, that "no event had ever dispersed greater joy, exultation,
and gratitude over all the freemen of Europe." Mackintosh rejoiced in
the coincidence of England and the United States, "the two great
commonwealths, for so he delighted to call them; and he heartily prayed
that they may be forever united in the cause of justice and
liberty."[93] The Holy Alliance abandoned their purposes on this
continent, and the independence of the Spanish colonies in America was
established. Some time afterwards, on the occasion of assistance to
Portugal, when Mr. Canning felt ca