The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-29
HISTORY OF THE PROJECT.

Efforts Of the Spaninrds to Discover a Pas.
sage Through the Isthmus Of Darien- Pro-
jects to Constructs a Ship CnnaI-PrOpOsi.
lions of President Adams to Take Possession
of the Observation-Disclosures In Modern
Days-Plans Of Explorers. and Surveyors
Political and Commercial Effect Of n Canal
Upon the United States-Our Commerce with
tue Pacific Nations and the East-Iuterest-
ing and Instructive Facts.
'Better late than never" though almost inexcus.
ably late and wholly cupable in negecting oppor-
tunities which would have made the construction OF
the Suez Canal an impossbiiity, we find ourselves
on the verge Of performing work conceived Of GEN.
turtles ago. while yet the discoverer Of America was
alive ana king OF Spain ruled the destines of the
whole continent.
SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF CENTURIES.
The announcement that the United States steamer
Nipsic has been ordered to convey the government
officials appointed to survey 1.-THE most direct route
across the Isthmus OF Darien for the proposed ship
canal provided for by the treaty between the United
States and the Colombian government Is one preg-
nant with promise. And the order itself differs ma
teriay In character from the order that sent Strain
upon his unfortunate expedition, and from that
which gave to Mchler reputation. without pro-
duclng any results whatever, either for
the commercial good Of the world or for
Ilc klOIy duu uTcCt COuIueTClal Dement, OF the
United States. At the present moment the people
Of this country are not deep In the consideration of
questions Affecting the social and political status OF
the negro. The public mind is tranquil and ready
for the ardent reception Of schemes which will tend
to develop the commerce Of the republic. 1t would
indeed, bal deplorable prospect for our future H.
after fierce struggle OF thirty years. eliminating In
bloody and devastating war, the masses were I'M
willing TO place partisan politics In the background
and In Its place to substitute science the trumphs OF
which exceed in magnitude the most signal OF polit.
cal battle victories and the fame OF which rests
upon the surest and most enduring OF foundations.
1t must even at thls early day, be considered with
astonishment that the United States should haye
neglected to unite the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
by means OF ship canal across the isthmus con.
Meeting North and South America, when proposi.
lions looking to such an end were made as we shall
hereafter show during the administration OF Presl.
dent Adams.
The opinion to which Strabo was inclined that A
strait would be opened some day through the 18TH
mus OF suez by the action Of the sea- never became
verify. We have lived to see the Mediterranean
and Red Seas united not by the work OF nature but
by tho science OF man. No such opinion as that
entertained by the great Greek geographer could be
held regarding the lsthmus Of DarIen. As Humboldt
wisely observes nothing short or the most terrible
CONFUSION OF the earth could rend In twain the
lofty Cordieras OF Central America and enable the
waters OF the two oceans to meet in fraternal
embrace. Mysterious as are the workings of nature
1t can BIO safely asserted, even while admitting its
possibility, that such CONFUSION Ia not likely to
occur.
Reduced 10 the alternatives OF never possessing
short route to the East or Of constructing one t is
gratifying to know that we have accepted the last
after many years Of unnecessary dalying Possessed
OF every advantage It will be our fault If the Daren
ship Canal does not exceed IN importance the one
recently completed in Egypt Ample means are ct
our disposal; the very elements combine to make