Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-28
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERIC

America is of an important and in
teresting character. That portion
of the Western hemisphere is start
ing into fresh consequence, owing
to the fact that it is destined to be
come the point of transit for goods
and passengers between Europe, the
United States and Asia. No doubt
the larger number of passengers
will at sill times prefer the channel
through this country opened by the
Pacific railroad, but still the flow of
heavy goods consequent upon the
opening of China and japan to the
trade of the world will make a canal
between the oceans at the Isthmus
of Darien a necessity. In this con-
nection, the completion of the mis-
sion of Hon. Caleb Cushing is of
immense consequence to the United
States. 1t puts this nation earliest
in the field, says the Philadelphia
Age, if the Senate will but act
promptly in taking advantage Of the
treaty just concluded. This instru-
ment comedies to the United States
the exclusive right to construct an
inter oceanic canal across the 18th
mus of Darien at any point which
may be selected by the United
States. The Colombian government
cedes six miles of land on each side
of the canal, one-half for its own
benefit, and the other for that Of the
party undertaking the construction
of the work. The Colombian gov
eminent is to receive ten per cent.
of the net income of the first ten
years, and after the canal is paid for,
twenty-five per cent. of the net
profits. The treaty is to be ratified
by the United States within ten
months; surveys to be made within
two years after ratification; the Ca
nal begun within five years, and fin
ished within fifteen years after rati-
fication, otherwise the charter fails. |
The charter runs for one hundred
years. The canal is to he under |
the control of the United States, |
and Congress can fix the rate of
tolls. The navigation is to be
open to all nations in time of peace,
but closed to the belligerents who
may seek to avail themselves of its
advantages With an isthmus canal
under our control at the point indi-
Gated in this treaty, we could dictate
terms to the trade of the world. |
England must communicate with |
Australia and the East through this
channel. France must look to us
for 4 shorter route to her Eastern |
possessions. Napoleon recognizes |
this great fact, and for years has
been scheming to master a portion |
Il the Islhmus. When a prisoner
iiSthe fortress of Ham, he specula |
ted and wrote upon the subject, and
since his accession to regal power
and position the project has not
faded from his mind. Doubtless
the Mexican business had much to
DO with his plan to control the
isthmus, and Gen. Mosquera was his
tool, and acted in obedience to in
struction from Paris when endeav-
oring to stir up q revolution in the
United States of Colombia, and be-
cone supreme ruler of that country.
At the present time, French inau-
ence is dominant in Nicaragua, and
Senior Avon has arranged contract
with a company in Paris for the
opening Of a canal across that State
from sea TO sea The arrangements
were commenced in October last,
and the acting party on behalf of
the French operators is NJ. Cheva-
lier, a Senator Of the Empire. This
shows that Napoleon is in the move
ment, and will push it forward with
all the resources at his cUmruuud.
The route selected by the French
company is more than two hundred
miles in length, while the one to be
occupied by this government will
not reach fifty. This gives us
mighty advantages in the battle.
The cost will be less by many
millions, the time of transit
shorter, and the expense of keep
ing the canal in operation q trihe
when compared with the French
venture. With proper energy, we
can beat the French in this struggle
for the trade. While these great
movements are engrossing public
attention, new railroad scheme has
reached the surface in Costa Rica.
The authorities of that State have
entered into 4 contract with certain
citizens of the United States for the
opening OF a railroad across Costa
Rica, from LimOn Bay to the Gulf
Of Nicoya. The capital is to be
100000, divided in sections OF
500 each, the headquarters of the
company 10 be in New York, Phila,
delphia or Boston. The company
is 20 commence the surveys within
three months after the ratification
of the contract, and within the foul
following months must spend a