The New York herald., 1879-09-01
CONCERNING CANALS.
The Interoceanic, the Florida and
81. the WiDyah Projects.
GRANT AND THE PRESIDENCY.
Messrs. Ostenberg and Banois and the
Old Aspnwa Scheme.

The several canal projects that have Of late been
announced are exciting much comment throughout
the country. Reannounced would perhaps be bet
ter for both the Florida and interoceanic schemes
have been mooted for years. The association Of
Geiieral Grants name with one of the iuteroceanc
.outes has done more to excite a local American In
serest than the economies involved.
The Raleigh IN. C.) Observer observes that Admiral
Ammen OF the navy. who has long becn favorable
10 ship canal the Isthmus. having recently
written to General Grant to ascertain il he would
take the presidency of the proposed company for
It's construction, has announced that General Grant
has sgnifed his Willingness TO accept tho po stion
General Grant may therefore be counted out in
making future political calculations. We are not at
all surprised at his decision. for he by association
and education fitted for this work. and we do not
doubt that he will succeed in 1t much to his re-
nown and substantial fame. The canal is not to be
cut near Panama. but further north at Tehuantepec
where there is but little doubt Of its feasibility. In
decd. far back as 1850 1t was admitted by prac-
tcal that ship canal could be cut at that point,
II the funds were forthcoming. without any immi-
danger Of failure. II General Grant undertakes
1t we do not doubt his success. We hope it will be
entirely an American enterprise.
The Pittsburg Commercial Gazette thinks differently,
Will be from the following extract from its
eader of August 30-
AS tho various statements relative to General
Grants acceptance of the Presidency of American
inter oceanic canal project opposed to the Pres
dency OF the United States to be siited. it is
an exceedingly apocryphal affair. Admiral Ammen.
who sat like clam in the Paris Congress- has been
exceedingly loud spoken and ofhcious since. It
seems that he is the gentleman who offered General
Grant the presidency OF the American canal pro-
ject and the answer of the General by cable is II
approve. just what he approves is the exact
point ut issue All the interpretations and explana-
mons are Admiral Ammen's. We will be ex-
Thore can be no doubt however, on these several
points. Ftrst-deneral Grant is honest md sincere
III not desiring to be candidate for the Presidency
SO far from seeking it, or in any way attempting to
promote his own nomination. he has steadily de-
who know General Grant are aware OF the perfect
honesty OF his nature. and what he says he means.
second-But General Grant has never said that under
possible circumstances will he accept the Presi-
deucy. He has said that he does not seek it.
that he does not desire to 30 candidate for
office as well as he. Between all this and the
absolute refusal to have the Presidency ut all
there is wide difference. Third-There is no
American Nicaraguan canal company in existence
tor General Grant to be President OF. Such an or
ganizaton may yet be formed. and would no doubt.
this country and in Europe but it does not exist.
And Admiral Ammen had no authority to offer him
made tue answer II Which is ali that
Ammen has, is exceedingly general and indefinite.
What does he approve? He has all along been known
to be- interested in and favorable to canal on the
Nicaraguan route, Ho probably does not favor the
de Lesseps plan. Ammon sosms TO have written
him great variety of topicspolitical, scientific
and personal. That ho approves something other
Is not susceptible of all the interpretations the Ad
nra puts upon 1t. We submit that mp to the pres
ent NO one has anything from General Grant that
would Indicate his absolute refusal Of the Presiden
tia nomination, IL, when he reaches home, he finds
that there are good, substantial reasons why he
should take 1t.
Speaking Of Admiral Ammen's interview with Q
HERALD correspondent concerning General Grants
acceptance Of the Presidency Of tho new canal COM
pany. the Savannah Aorning Neps says:-
This announcement will be hailed with sstisfac.
faction for more causes than one. Tho long mOoted
question Of General Grants candidacy for third
term in the Presidency may now be considered as
conclusivcly settled, aud the scheme of M. de Les
scps is undoubtedly knocked in the head. What
ever may be the report of the engineers sent to
anime the plans OF the Panama Canal, and estimate
the cost of building it, 1t may be assumed that Euro
pean and American capitalists win not subscribe
certainty that the canal via Nicaragua will shortly
be constructed.
INJUSTICE GENERAL GRANT.
The Washington correspondent OF the st. Louis
Globe Democrat says:-
The more intimate friends of General Grant are
very much annoyed ut the purely spec 1lattve an
nonncement in the dispatches from here that one
OF the objects OF his visit to Europe In
oceanic Ship Canal Company 1t is true that he has
always felt deep interest in this ENTERPRISE. and
his views this subject stated in these dispatches
some days ago, indicated authoritatively the cir
cumsances which led to the recent telegram accept
ing the presidency OF Sucn nm enterprise. Inc New
York papers, subsequently taking up this question.
have done the ex-Presdent great injustice in
ciatinq his journey to Europe with this scheme,
agent for this then Hypothetical enterprise The
part taken by General Grant In furthering the
Veys of the various feasible routes from the sthmus
OF Tehuantepec that of Darien s we'll known. and
had 1t not been for the action of Secretary Fish the
treaty with the Nicaraguan government, which lay
upon the Presidents table at the expiration of his
term Of Office, would have been signed aud
ratified. The President and administration
seemed to take little or no interest in this
enterprise The Paris interocean canal engineers
revived that project, and the subject
not brought to the attention of the cx-President
until after that time. Admiral Ammen and other
friends or General Grant regard the statement in
New York paper. that of the objects of his visit
to Europe in connection with this enterprise,
irresponsible, and. If true, would place General
Grnnt In very peculiar attitude, he having accepted
honors from the highest Powers Of the globe
ex-Chiof Magistrate of this country. When General
Grant left for Europe those who were cognizant of
his views know that he went solely to visit those
countries for his own information, and deemipg 1t
advisable not to subject himself to the of
politicians who would have boon indelcatc enough
to importune him to embarrass his successor by
asking favors at his hands In their bohalf.
THE FLORIDA CANAL.
The Jacksonville tFa.l Sam and Press. speaking Of
che proposed Florida canal says:-
The agitation of this subject seems to occupy the
public press or less throughout tho state, and