Quincy Adams

Saw a reference to a "Quincy Adams foreign policy" and was wondering what exactly the author was referring to, since there weren't a whole lot of big foreign policy events between 1824-1828. Did he mean the Monroe Doctrine (which Quincy Adams wrote)? Anyway, I followed the link and came across these lines:

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her [i.e. America's] heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force....

She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit....

I realize I've read that before, but like so many other things, had completely forgotten it.

How much better is "she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy" or "she might become the dictratress of the world" than "let's roll" or "axis of evil"?

Anyway, it's very prescient, and the call for the US to be a "beacon of liberty" offering itself as a benign example, rather than an "empire of liberty" enforcing its ideals on everyone else appeals to many these days for good reason. Of course it kind of breaks down in practice, but that's another story for another day.

John Quincy Adams speech from here