The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-03-18
The PRESIDENTS Message to the Senate.

The following message from the President
respecting the Monroe doctrine as it relates to
the Inter-0ceanic Canal, was received by the
Senate on the sth inst;
To me Senate I'll transmit herewith the re-
port of the Secretary of State and the accom-
panying papers in response to a resolution
adopted on the I1th of February, requesting
/" copies of all the correspondence between this
government and any foreign government since
February, 1869, respecting the ship canal
across the isthmus 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 representatives."
In further compliance with the resolution of
the Senate, I deem proper to state briefly my
opinion as to the policy of the United States
with respect to the construction of an Inter-
Oceanic Canal ty any route across the American
isthmus.
The policy of this country is a canal under
American control. The United States can not
consent to surrender this control to any Euro
pean power, or to approximation of European
powers. If existing treaties between the
United States and other nations, or If the
rights of sovereignty or property of other ma
tons stand in the way Of this policy, o con-
tingency which is not apprehended, suitable
steps should be taken by just and liberal nego-
tiations to promote and establish the American
policy on this subject, consistently with tho
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
a 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. If 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 interests
and maintain the rights of those whose capital
cs embarked in the work.
An Inter Oceanic Canal across the American
isthmus viii essentially change the ge~ographl-
| cal relations between the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts of the United States, and between the
United States and the rest of the world. Il
will be the great ocean thoroughfare between
our Atlantic and our Pacific shores, and virtu.
ally a part of the coast line of the United
States. Our merely commercial interest in i
is greater than that of all other countries, while
its relations to our power and prosperity as 1
nation, to. our means of defense, cur unity
peace and safety, are matters of paramount
consideration to the people Of the United
States. No other great power would, unde
similar circumstances fail to assert its rightfu
control over q work 50 closely and vitality affect
ing its interest and welfare.
Without arguing further the grounds of m.
| opinion, I repeat, in conclusion, that it is tn
right and duty of the United States to assert an,
maintain such supervision and authority owe
any 1nter-0ceanic Canal across the Isthmu
that connect North and South America as viii
protect our national interests. This, I ar
quite sure, viii be found not only compatibl
with, but a promotion Of, the widest and mos
permanent advantage to commerce and ~civiliza
ton. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March s, 1880.