The daily gazette., 1880-03-23
THE MONROE Docrarxr.-we ca

y THE MONROE DocrRINE.-We can
conceive of no good that can grow
out Of questioning the right of the
European nations to assist De Lesseps
to build an inter-oceanic canal across
the Isthmus of Panama. We well
remember the contest over "Fifty-four
forty or Fight" and how gently we
climbed down from that interesting
position when the Clayton Bulwer
treaty came before the Senate for con-
firmation. No two gentlemen ever
succeeded more fully in cheating each
other than the eminent diplomatists
who formed that celebrated treaty.
Mr.. Clayton was quite sure he had
pulled the wool'' over Lord Ash
huston's eyes but nobody could con-
vince the English Queen that treaty
not to colonize meant that the
English colony that had been for
many years on the Mosquito Coast"
should pull up stakes and go away
and no administration has ever dared
to undertake to drive them away.
This was we thought an end Of our
efforts to keep European nations from
settling on the American continent.
The bold stand taken by our fathers
may have resulted in great good to
our people. They were wise men and
knew what they were about and did
well to warn Europe not to approach
too near but they were too wise to
undertake TO drive the Europeans
away from the West India Islands or
South American coast. We are now
large enough to take care of ourselves,
and We agree fully with the London
TINES remarks that if we do not in
tend to let De Lesseps and European
money build the Panama ship canal,
1--WE ought to do it ourselves" And
believing we would find it not So
profitable as other work that claims
our attention and money at home, we
think we ought to let De Lesseps go
ahead. We are quite strong enough
now to take care of ourselves and
need fear nothing from the European
colonies in South America.
This country in another generation
viii contain over one hundred millions
of people, and most of Mexico will in
all probability have fallen under our
control We will then be more able
TO dictate terms to Europeans. But,
that may not be necessary. Spain,
and even the British Empire itself
may ere then be Republics willing to
unite with whom they please and for
ought we know Cuba and other Is
lands may be asking for admission
to the Union as States.
1t has been generation since we
annexed Texas, California and New
Mexico, and if the Democratic party
comes into power again it will not be
likely that it win go out of power be-
fore it extends the national domain
beyond the Rio Grande. The line
would have been extended southwark
ten years ago had it not been for the
foolish wasting war of the rebellion.
We want little more peace on the
boundary line between Mexico and
Texas, and this we will not get until
we show the "Greasers" we are able to
hang their masters, if necessary but
In fact we believe their masters would
be only too glad to have us come and
hang the ''Greasers" that are making
strife between the two nations.
We remember very well that the
Wing papers and orators in 1S46-47
declared that Texas and California,
and New Mexico were worthless and
urged Mr.. Polk and his Cabinet to
have nothing to do with such barren
lands. Fortunately, Mr.. Polk was
too wise and able to be led into any of
the Wing traps. And we have lived
long enough since to learn that the
barren lands were about the most val
uable in the world; and now We could
very well afford to extend our South
ern boundary until it embraced sever
al more of the Mexican States, peace
ably if We can.
In the meantime, if the Europeans
see proper to bury their money in the
Panama Ship Canal, we don't think we
ought to object. AL we need care to
ask is that our ships shall have the
same right to pass through it that is
granted to other nations.
We think it would be the greatest
folly to build ship canal where it
might require navy as great as that
of all the navies of Europe combined
to protect it. We might have taker
Cuba long ago. But it would hav,
been folly, since it would have cos
more than it is worth to hold it.
SCORE another point for Mr.. Tilden
itha Democratic delepatas from Rbod.