River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-03-18
TIE ISrHMUS CANAL.
Message From the President Asserting
the Mnnrne Doctrine.
Tha FOLLOWING p,essage was sent to lhe

The following paessage was sent to the
senate March Sih:
TO the Seqldte:-I transmit herewith a
report of the secretary of state, and
accompanying papers in response to
the resolution adopted by the senate
on the 18th of February last, requesting
"copies of all correspondence between
this government and any foreign gov
eminent since February 1859, respect
ing the ship canal across the isthmus,
between North America and South
America, together with copies of any
project, or treaties respecting the same
which the department of state may
have proposed or submitted, since the
date of any foreign power or its diplo-
matte representatives. In further COM
pliance 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 lnter-oceanic canal by any route
across the American isthmus. The pol
icy of this country is a canal under
American control. The United States
cannot consent to the surrender of this
control to any European power or to
Ii existing treaties between the United
States and other nations, or right OF
overeignty or property ofother nations
and in the way of this policy, cor
tingency which is not apprehended. suit
able steps should be taken by just and
liberal negotiations tC promote and es-
tablish the American policy on this sub
iect consistently with the rights of the
nation to be affected by it. The capital
invested by corporations or citizens OF
other countries in silch an enterprise,
must in a great degree look for protec-
ton 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 Inadmissable. If the protection
of the United States is relied upon, the
United States must exercise such con-
troll as will enable this country to pro-
tect its national interest and maintain
the rights of those whose private CAPT
tai is embarked in the work. An in.
ter-oceanic canal acros the American
isthmus will essentially change the geo.
graphical relations between the Allan
tic and Pacific coasts and virtually a
part of the coast line of the United States
1t will be the great ocean thoroughfare
between our Atlantic and our Pacific
shores. Our merely commercial inter
est in it is greater than that of all other
countries, while its relations to our pow
er and prosperity as a nation, to our
means of defense, our unity, peace and
safety, are matters of paramount con-
sideration to the people of the United
States. No other great power would
under similar circumstances fail to as
sert the rightful control over the work
so closely and vitality affecting in inter
est and welfare. Without urging the
further grounds OF my opinion, re-
peat in conclusion that it is the right
and duty of the United States to assert
and maintain such provision and au.
thority over any inter-oceanic canal
across the Isthumus that connects north
and south America as will protect our
national interest. This l am quite sure
will be found not only compatible with
but promotiye of the widest and most
permanent advantage to commerce
and civilization. (Signed)
RUTHERFORD b. HAYES,
Executive Mansion, March 8, 1880