Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1880-03-20
The Inter.Oceanic Canal Scheme.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

TO the Senate. l transmit herewith the re-
port of the Secretary of State and accompany
ing papers in response to a resolution adopt
ed by the Senate the 18th of February last, re-
questing copies of all correspondence be-
tween this Government and any foreign Cow
eminent since February, 1869, respecting o
ship canal across the lsthmus between North
America and South America, together with
copies of any projected treaties respecting the
same which the Department of state may
have proposed or submitted since that Date TO
any foreign power or its diplomatic repre-
sentative.
In further compliance with the resolution OF
the Senate, deem it properto state briefly my
opinion as to the policy of the United states
with respect to the construction OF an inter-
oceanic canal by any route across the Ameri-
can 1sthmus. The policy of this country IS a
canal under American control. The United
states can not consent to surrender TINS con-
troll to any European power or TO any com
bination OF European powers, in view OF eA,
listing treaties between the United States and
other nations for II the rights OF sovereignty
or property of other nations stand IN
the way of this policy-a contingency
which is not apprehended - suitable steps
should be taken by just and liberal
negotiations to promote and establlsh an
American policy on this subject consistently
with the rights of nations to be affected Dy H.
| The capital invested by corporations or c1tl-
zens of other countries in such an enterprise
must, in great degree, look for protection 10
one or more of the Great Powers OF the world
| No European Power can intervene Tor sucn
protection without adopting measures on inns
continent which the United States would
deem wholly inadmissible. If the protection OF
the United States is relied upon, the United
States must exercise such control as VIII ena,
BILE this country to protect Its natlonai
interests and maintain the rights OF
| those whose private capital Is empaIke1
| IN the work. An inter oceamc cana
across the American Isthmus will essentlally
change the geographical relations Denver
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF me Uhiteo
States, and between the United states anu tht
rest of the world. 1t will be the great oceaI
thoroughfare between our Atlantic ana racine
shores, and virtually part OF the coast nm
of the United States. Our merely commercla
interest in it is greater than that of all othel
countries, while its relations TO our powel
and prosperity as a nation, to our means
defense, our unity, peace and SAFETY
are matters of paramount consideration
TO the people of the United STATES
No other great power would, un
der similar circumstances, fail 10 asser
rightful control over a work so closely am
vitality affecting its interests and welfare
without urging further grounds OF my opln
! ion, repeat, in conclusion, that II Is TN
right and duty of the United States to asser
| and maintain such supervision and al
thority over any inter oceanic canal acros
the Isthmus that connects North aud Sout
, America as will protect our national inter
ests. This am quite sure VIII be found no
) only compatible with, but promotive OF, tn
widest and most permanent advantage .
, commerce and civilization.
2 fsigned1 RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, March s. 1850.