Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-03-18
The Presidents Message On the Isthmus
Canal

WASHINGTON, March 8.
The following message was received
by the Senate to-day:
To the Senate:
| transmit herewith the report of the Secre-
tary of State and accompanying papers in re
sponse to the resolution adopted by the Sen
ate on the 18th Of February last, requesting
" copies of all correspondence between this
Government and any foreign Government
since February, 1859, 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 for.
eign power or its diplomatic representatives. y
In further compliance with the resolution
of the Senate, l deem it proper to state
briefly my opinion as to the policy Of the
United States with respect to the construc-
tiOn of an inter-oceanic canal by any route
across the American Isthmus The policy
of this country is a canal under American
control. The United States cannot consent
to surrender this control to any European
power or to any combination Of European
powers. If the existing treaties between the
United States and other nations, or If the
rights Of sovereignty or property of other
nations stand in the way of this policy, a
contingency which is not apprehended, suit
able steps should be taken by just and liberal
negotiations to promote and establish an
American policy on this subject consistent
with the rights of nations to BIZ affected by it,
The capital invested by corporations or citi-
zens of other countries in such an enterprise
must, In great degree, lock for protection to
one or more of the great powers OF the world
No European power can intervene for such
protection without adopting measures on
this continent which the United States would
deem wholly lnadmissable. If the protection
of the United States is relied upon, the United
States must exercise such control as will ena-
bic this country to protect its National inter
ests and maintain the rights OF those whose
private capital is embarked in the work.
An inter-Oceanic canal across the American
lsthmus will change the geographical rela-
tions between the Atlantic ana Pacific coasts
Of the United States, ana 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 virtually
part of the coast line of the United States.
Our merely commercial interest In 1t is great
er than that of all other countries, while its
relations to our power and prosperity as
Nation to our means Of defense, oar unity,
peace and safety, are matters Of paramount
consideration to the people Of the United
oJaIeb' NO OJueT great power Woulu, uuueL
similar circumstances, fail to assert rightful
control over a work 80 closely and vitally af-
tecting its interest and welfare.
Without urging further the grounds of my
opinion, repeat In conclusion, that it IL the
righJ and duty of the United States to assert
aud maintain such supervision and authority
over any inter-oceauic canal across the 18TH
mus that connects North and South America
as will protect our National interests. This,
am quite sure, will be found not only com
patible with, but prove of the widest and most
permanent advantage to commerce and civil
izatiOn.
[Signedl RUTHERFoRD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, March g. $780,