ment of national honor. The Union supplemented the weakness of each with the strength of all. Instead of sectional banners stained with repudiation and local greed, this constitutional Union gave to the whole country a single flag, destined to unsurpassed respect among the nations of the earth. Year after year we add new stars to its folds as peacefully as appears a new star in the heavens from which we borrowed them. Surely a system of government which has established the essential liberties of the people under the orderly limitations of fundamental law, and which has approved itself to successive generations by an unparalleled experience of national growth, prosperity, and happiness under its provisions, will never cease to be a most interesting study alike for statesmen and students. That part of American foreign policy known as the MONROE DOCTRINE has acquired so much authority, both at home and abroad, that its influence over our people and their representative statesmen has become almost equal to that of a provision of the national Constitution. I have therefore added to this volume a history of the origin and development of that Doctrine, mainly derived from the original records on file in the Department of State at Washington. JOHN A. KASSON. WASHINGTON, October 1, 1904. No one Colony separately independent. This Declaration only national bond until Reluctance of States to grant it. Conditions growing worse under the Con- New York in favor of a new Convention of Virginia's adverse action and its effects. Washington's circular letter to the States. Disorderly financial system in States, and Convention of five States at Annapolis Deplorable condition of the people. Annapolis recommendation of general Con- delphia approved by Congress. |