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.