Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-12-06
Hostility 70 the ship Canal


From the Inter-Ocean.
There is in this country a feeling of
hostility to the scheme for constructing
ship canal across the Isthmus of Pan
anna that has on several occasions found
fOrcible expression. This feeling is
based on the theory that such a canal
would in no way benefit our general
commerce, would injure our overland
trade, and would paralyze many inter-
.ests that have contributed to the rapid
development of western states and cities.
Those who oppose the cutting of ship
canal argue that our railroad system has
done more in thirty years to develop the
resources of the country, and to advance
the interests of the great Central and
Western communities which make up
the bulk of our population, than the ship
canal would have done i'm 800 years, had
it been cut in the sixteenth century,
when the Spaniards first proposed the
scheme. They claim that the Pacific
roads, those completed and those in pro-
gress, meet all the requirements of
American commerce, while at the same
time they contribute to the rapid pro-
gress and improvement of interior points
as well as seapOrts. They argue that it
TEN the benefits of which are so evident.
rather than to invest in and encourage
an enterprise that ultimate success of
which is question of doubt, and which,
if successful will benefit foreign nations
more than it will the United States.
The supporters of this theory, and they
include many of our thinkers and most
effective workers in forwarding Ameri-
int in
of injuring our present trade channels,
! spirit that has made the West the WON
der of the world. They may exaggerate
| the disadvantages of a ship canal, but
mains factor i'm the problem SO long as
the utility of such an enterprise is un-
der discussion. But when it is deter
mined that ship canal is to be cut
across the American iSthmuS at Panama
under French influence, or at Nicaragua
under American influence, not even these
opponents of ship canal on general
| principles can hesitate as to what is
their duty in the premises. The dis
| patches from Paris announce that neither
| De Lesseps nor the French capitalists
ave abandoned the IDEA of construct
| lg sea-level canal at Panama. On the
| ,ontrary, it is stated that De LesseIs
about 90 saii for Panama with work
len and materials for inaugueratins
| work. on the prOjected canal. As we have
| shown in previous articles, this cana
| project was Matched in intrigue, anG
| organized by the parties interested only
| in clipping American commerce. The
men at the head of the company were
| the cOnfederates OF that French Emper-
or who said that the political and COM
mercial Influence of the United States
Oh the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific
must be checked.
If ship canal is to be constructed,
Americans must choose between COM
pany organized in America, and con-
trOlled by Americans, and one organized
in Europe and controlled by Europeans.
Faced by such an Alternative, they cam
not hesitate. A canal controlled by
American capitalists, or by capitalists
in sympathy or interested in American
commerce. Will be of positive benefit as
trade channel, and will exert as favor
able an influence in preventing the con-
structiOn of canal that might be used
against US.
A canal on the Nicaragua route would
stimulate Mississippi commerce; would
facilitate trade between the Eastern sea-
ports and our own Western coast as well
as with foreign ports, and would do this
without materially interfering with the
overland trade between the Atlantic and
Pacific, and, under the management of
those interested in our commerce, could
be made to contribute to our general
prosperity. Under the management of
those interested i'm diverting our trade
and controlled by nations jealous Of our
prosperity, canal ON the Panama route
might become an engine to cripple our
commerce, and basis for international
complications naturally leading to en-
barrassment, if not, ultimately to war.
1t is certain that ship canal will be
constructed. The company to act the
most promptly, and with the greatest
amount of wealth behind it, will secure
the vantage ground. There will be only
one canal across the Isthmus, and that
| is likely to be cut on the route whose
| friends show at the beginning the bold
est front and the most enterprising
spirit. Uuder such circumstances
American capitalists are justified in
pushing their plans in all legitimate
ways, and they should receive the en-
enlargement and support of the public.