The ever-advancing American Revolution was at the same time opening the way to complete disinthralment.  The Spanish-American Provinces revolted, and seven new Republics, with constitutions not widely differing from our own—­Buenos Ayres, Guatamala, Colombia, Mexico, Chili, Central America, and Peru—­suddenly claimed audience and admission among the nations of the earth.  The people of those countries were but doubtfully prepared to maintain their contest for independence, or to support republican institutions.  But on the other side Spain was enervated and declining.  She applied to the Holy League of Europe for their aid, and the new Republics applied to the United States for that recognition which could not fail to impart strength.  The question was momentous.  The ancient colonial system was at stake.  All Europe was interested in maintaining it.  The Holy League held Europe fast bound to the rock of despotism, and were at liberty to engage the United States in a war for the subversion of their independence, if they should dare to extend their aid or protection to the rebellious Colonies in South America.

Such a war would be a war of the two continents—­an universal war.  Who could foretell its termination, or its dread results?  But the emancipation of Spanish America was necessary for our own larger freedom, and our own complete security.  That freedom and that security required that the nations of Europe should relax their grasp on the American Continent.  The question was long and anxiously debated.  The American people hesitated to hazard, for speculative advantages, the measures of independence already obtained.  Monroe and Adams waited calmly and firmly.  The impassioned voice of Henry Clay rose from the Chamber of Representatives.  It rang through the continent like the notes of the clarion, inspiring South America with new resolution, and North America with the confidence the critical occasion demanded.  That noble appeal was answered.  South America stood firm, and North America was ready.  Then it was that John Quincy Adams, with those generous impulses which the impatient blood of his revolutionary sire always prompted, and with that enlightened sagacity which never misapprehended the interests of his country, nor mistook the time nor the means to secure them, obtained from the administration and from Congress the acknowledgment of the independence of the young American nations.  To give decisive effect to this great measure, Monroe, in 1823, solemnly declared to the world, that thenceforth any attempt by any foreign power to establish the colonial system in any part of this continent, already emancipated, would be resisted as an aggression against the independence of the United States.  On the accession of Adams to the administration of the Government, the vast American continental possessions of Brazil separated themselves from the crown of Portugal and became an independent State.  Adams improved these propitious and sublime events by negotiating treaties of reciprocal trade with the youthful nations; and, concurring with Monroe, accepted, in behalf of the United States, their invitation to a General Congress of American States to be held at Panama, to cement relations of amity among themselves, and to consider, if it should become necessary, the proper means to repel the apprehended interference of the Holy League of Europe.