Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-03-19
Message by the President.

The following message in regard to the
interoceanic canal has been sent to Congress
by the President, accompanied by the papers
called for by both bodies in relation to the
canal project:
transmit herewith the report OF the secre-
tary OF state and accompanying papers in re-
spouse to the resolution adopted by the Sem
ate on the 18th of February last requesting
"copies Of all correspondence between this
government and any foreign 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 pro-
posed or submitted since that date to any
foreign power or its diplomatic representa-
tives."
In further compliance with the resolution
OF the Senate, deem it proper TO state briefly
my opinion as to the policy OF the United
States with respect to the construction of an
interoceanic canal by any route across the
American isthmus. The policy OF this eoun-
try is canal under American control. The
United States cannot consent to the sur
render OF this control to any European power
or to any combination of European powers.
II existing treaties between the United States
and other nations or ii the rights of sover-
eighty or property OF other nations stand in
the way of this policy-a contingency which
is not rehended-suitabe steps should be
taken by just and liberal negotiations to pro-
mote and establish the american policy on
this subject consistently with the rights of
the nations to be affected by it. The capital
invested by corporations or citizens of other
countries in such an enterprise must, in u
great degree, look for protection to one or
more OF the great powers OF the world. No
European power can intervene for such pro
lection without adopting measures on this
continent which the United States would
deem wholly inadmissable. II the protection
OF the United States is relied upon, the United
States must exercise such control as will
enable this country to protect its national in
terests and maintain the rights OF those whose
private capital is embarked in the work.
An interoceanic canal across the American
isthmus will essentially change the geographic
cal relations between 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 virtu-
ally part OF the coast line of the United
States. Our merely commercial interest
IN it is greater than that OF all other coun-
tries, while its relations to our power and
prosperity as a nation, to our means of de-
tense, 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 righttul control over work go closely
and vitality affecting its interest and welfare.
Without urging further the grounds OF my
opinion, l repeat in conclusion, that it is the
right and duty of the United States TO assert
and maintain such supervision and authority
over any interoceanic canal across the isthmus
that connects North and South America as
will protect our national interests. This,
l am quite sure, will be found not only COM
patible with, but promotive OF, the widest and
most permanent advantage to commerce and
civilization. RUTHERFORD d. HAYES.