The Northern Pacific farmer., 1880-03-18
THE ISThMUS CANAL,
Message From the President Asserting
the Monroe Doctrine.

Message From the President Asserting
the Monroe Doctrine.
The following message was sent TO the
senate March 8th:
To the Senate:-I transmit herewith a
report Of the secretary of state, and
accompanying papers in response to
the resolution adopted by the SEN
ate on the 18th of February last. re-
questing "copies of all CORES spondence
between this government and any
foreign government since February
1869, respecting the ship canal across
the isthmus, between North America
andlSouth America, together with copies
of any project, or treaties, respecting
the same which the department Of
state may have proposed or submitted,
since that date to any foreign
power or its diplomatic represen-
tatlves. In further compliance with
the resolution of the senate, deem it
proper to state briefly my opinion as to
the policy ofthe United States, with re-
spect to the construction of an inter-
oceanic canal by any route across the
American isthmus. The policy of this
country is a canal under American
control. The United States cannot con-
sent to the surrender of this control
to any European power or to any COM
blnatlon OF European powers. If exist
ing treaties between the United States
and other nations, or rights of sovereign
ty or property Of other. nations stand in
the way of this policy, a contingency
which is not unprecedented, suitable steps
should be taken by just and liberal ne
gotiat,ons to promote and establish the
American policy on this subject
consistently with the rights of the na-
tlons to be affected by it. The capital
invested by corporations or citizens of
other countries in such an interprise,
must in great degree look for protec-
ton to one or more of the great powers
of the world. No European power can
intervene for such protection without
adopting measures on this continent
which the United States would deem
wholly inadmissable. If the protection
of the United States is relied upon, the
United States must exercise such con-
troll as will enable this country to pro-
tect its national interest and maintain
the rights of those whose private capt.
tai is embarked in the work. An in
ter-oceanic canal across the American
isthmus, will essentially change
the geographical relations be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific,
coasts of the United States and between
the United States and the rest of
the world. It will be the great ocean
tboroughfare between our Atlantic and
our Pacific shores and virtually part
of the coast line of the United States.
Our merely commercial interest in it
is greater than that of all the other
countries, while it's relations to our
power and prosperity as a nation, to
our means of defense, our unity, peace
and safety, are matters of paramount
consideration to the people of the
United States. No other great power
would under similar circumstances fail
to assert the rightful control over the
work so closely and vitality affecting
its interest and welfare without urging
the further grounds of my opinion. I
repeat in conclusion that it is the right
and duty of the United States to assert
and maintain such provision and
authority over any ter-oceanic canal
across the Isthmus that connects north
and south America as will protect our
national interests. This I am quite
sure will be found not only compatible
with but promotive of the widest and
most permanent advantage to COM
merce and civ'l'zation.' (Siqned}
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES,
Executive Mansion, March 8, 1880.