The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-03-18

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Government Determined to
Maintain 1t.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The Sen
ate Select Committee on the Inter
Oceanic Canal have unanimously re-
solved to report the following joint
resolution for its immediate adoption
BE 1T RESOLVED, BY the Senate
and House of Representatives of the
United States of America, in Congress
assembled, that the establishment OF
any form of protectorate by any of the
powers of Europe over any of the in
dependent States of this Continent, or
the introduction from any quarter, of a
scheme or policy, which would carry
with it the right of any European
power to interfere with their concerns
or to control in any other manner their
destiny, or to transfer to such power by
conquest, cessiOn or acquisition in any
other way, any of those States or any
portion thereof, is measure to which
this Government has, in the declara-
ton of President Monroe in his mes
sage of December 2, 1923, and known
as the Monroe doctrine" avowed it's
opposition, and which, should the at
tempt be made, we will regard and
treat as dangerous to our peace, pros
perity and safety.
! SECOND, RESOLVED That it is the
interest and right of the United States
to have possession, direction, control
and government of any canal, railroad
or any other artificial communication
| to be constructed across the Isthmus
connecting the American Continent,
for the transfer of vessels and cargoes
| from the caribbean sea to the Pacific
ocean, whether the same IS built or
constructed at Panama, Nicaragua, or
elsewhere, and in view of the magni-
tude of this interest it is the duty of
the United States to insist that if built
and by whomsoever the same may be
commenced, prosecuted or completed,
and whatever the nationality of its
cOrpOratOrs or the source of their cap
ital, that the interest of the United
States and their right to possess and
control the same will be asserted and
maintained, whenever in their opinion
1t becomes necessary.
THIRD, AND BE IT FURTHER RE-
SOLVED, That the President be re-
guested to take the steps necessary and
proper for the abrOgatiOn of any exist
ing treaties, whose terms are in con-
fiict with the declaration of principles.
On the Sth inst, Mr.. Hayes sent to
the Senate the following message:
To THE SENATE. 1 transmit here
with report of the Secretary of State
and accompanying papers in response
to a resolution adopted by the Senate
on the 11th of February last, request
ing copies of all correspondence be-
tween this Government and any for
eign Government since February, 1869,
respecting Ship Canal across the
Isthmus between North America and
South America, together with copies
of any project of treaties respecting the
same which the Department of State
may have proposed or submitted since
that date to any foreign Power or its
diplomatic representatives" In fur
ther compliance with the resolution of
The Senate, L deem it proper to briefly
state my opinion as to the policy of the
United States with respect to the con-
structiOn of an Inter Oceanic Canal by
any route across the American 18TH
mus.
a policy Of this country is a canal
under 4 D,eyican control. THE United
this control to any European POaoer,
VI ~ oHy COHtOtUuCCOt W GuJOpCun
POaoers,"
If existing treaties between the
United States and other Nations, or if
the rights of sovereignty or property of
other nations stand in the way of this
policy-a contingency which is not ap-
prehended-suitable steps should be
taken by just and liberal negotiations
to promote and establish the American
policy on this subject, consistently
| with the rights of the Nations to be af-
fected by it. The capital invested by
corporations or citizens of other coun-
tries in such an enterprise, must, in
or more of the Great Powers of the
world. No European Power can in
! tervene for such protection without
adopting measures on this Continent
| which the United States would deem
wholly inadmissible. If the protec-
ton Of the United States is relied upon
the United States must exercise such
control as will enable this country to
protect its national interests and main
tain the rights of those whose private
capital is embarked in the work.
| An Inter Oceanic Canal across the
American Isthmus will essentially
| tween the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts
of the United States, and between the
United States and the rest of the world.
1t will be the great ocean thoroughfare
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 other countries, while
its relations to our power and prosper
ity as nation, to our means of defense,
| our unity, peace and safety, are mat
ters of paramount consideration to the
people of the United States. No other
great power would, under similar Cir
cumstances, fail to assert rightful con-
troll over a work so closely and virtual
| ly affecting its interests and welfare.
| Without urging further grounds of
NV opinion, l repeat, in conclusion,
that 1t IS the right and duty of The
United States to assert and main
tain such supervision and authority
over any Inter-Oceanic Canal across
the Isthmus that connects North and
South America as will protect our ma
tional interests. This, 1 am quite sure,
will be found not only compatible with
but prOmotive of the widest and most
permanent advantage to commerce
and civilization.
RUTHERFoRD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, March s, 1880.
COST OF RUNNING THE OHIO
| PENlTENTlAkX.
From the annual report of the War
den of the Ohio Penitentiary, we learn
that there were ,37S cOnvicts in the
Ohio Penitentiary in 1876, and SO.
| cOnvicts i'm lS77-total for the two years