Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-03-09
TElc Inter Oceanic Gnnnl.

i'rHsldent Hayes yesterday scot to the Senate
The loiloSlng message 10 relation TO The pro
posed Inttr-occaTlc canal:
To the Senate: | transmit hero with the re-
port OF the StcIctery OF State and the accom-
panyisg papers, "a Response to the resolution
adopted by The SENATE on The | III of February
LAST, rqu' stiGr copies u! Ill c ,rIcspondtrc, DO
tween TINS government and any foreign govern.
meat sir c. February 1869. respecting q ship
canal across the lslhmus petwccn North ard
South America, toRc, her with c0riea of any
Pr tct or trt atlcs respecting Tho same which
The Department OF S,aic may have proposed or
submitted slrco that datO 10 any ioroigu p0ptr
or ifH diplomatic rcprtSeatar!Vc.
"ln iurthrr compIi.uc, with the resolution Ct
tho Senate. deem it proper to state trc6y my
npIGlou III 10 the pOiIc} Vi The United States
Win rcsp,cs 10 the construction of an inter
oceaLio clLaI by any route tctoss the American
Isihmu". The policy Of this country is canal
under American control. The United States
cannot oouscrt to the surrender OF this control
10 any European power or to aDy combination
OF f1nropcan powers. il existing treaties be-
tween Inc Unlttd States and other nations or if
the rights OF sovereignty or property OF other
nal1cs stand in the way OF this pocy-a con.
lln&ctcy which Is not apnrehcndcd--suit
c.'S should be taken by Just ard liberal nego-
tlailonst to promote and establish the American
ro!lcy on this subject consistently With the
rishis oil the nations to be Cil:oted by IT,
The capital invested by corporations o. citi-
IONS OF other countries in such an enterprjsa
must i'll great degree. look for protection to
ono or more of the great powers of The world.
No European power can intervene for such pre-
lection without adopting measures on this con-
tinent which the United States would deem
wholly insdmi: sible If the protection of the
United States 10 relied upon tho United States
mast exercise such contro! as will enable this
country TO protect its national interests and
mantsin the rights Of those W hose priysto csni.
tsl is embarked in the work.
An intcroceanic canal Across the American
isthmus will essentially change tho geoe rsphical
relations between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
of the United States, and between tho United
States and the rest Of the world. 1t would be
the great ocean tboroushfare between our
Atlantic and our Pacific shores, and virtu.
ally 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 prosperity as s
nation. 10 our means Of defense. our unity,
peace and safety, are matters Of paramount
concern to tho people Of the United States No
other great power would. under similar cir
cumstsnces, fail to assert rightful control over
q wor 60 closely and vitality affecting its inter.
es!s and welfare.
ut is the right and duty ofthe United States to
assert and maintain such supervision and au.
thorily over any inter oceanic canal across tho
isthmus that connects North and South America
as will protect our national interests. This
sm quite sure, will be found not only compatible
with but prcmotive Of the widest and most per-
manent adyants &c TO commerce and civilization.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES"