National Republican., 1880-03-09
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
The Presidents er-0ceanic Canal
Message.
Strong Reassertion of tho Monroe Doctrine
The United states Must Exercise Con-
troll "f the work-Porter Debate
III the Scnatc-New Rules in
the eHouse--Federal Flec-
tion Laws Sustained.
A Message from the President.

The following message was scut TO tho two
Houses of Congress yesterday. 1t was read In
tho House, but In tho Senate it was laid
on the Presidents table, to bo laid be.
fore the Senate In regular order ut the opening
OF to-day's session. The accompanying docu-
mcnts were sent with the senate copy of the
message, aud are not therefore accessible until
laid before that body:
transmit herewith the report of the Sec
rotary Estate aud the accompanying papers,
IN response to the resolution adopted by the
Senate on the llth of February lust request
ing copies of all correspondence between this
Government and any foreign government
since February, 1862 respecting II ship canal
across tue 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 representative"
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
nter.oceanic canal by any route across the
American Isthmus.
The policy of this country Is q canal under
American control. Tho United States cannot
consent to the surrender of this control to any
European Power or to any combination of Eu-
ropean Powers. If existing treaties between
the United States and other nations, or if the
rights of sovereignty or property of other ma
tions stand in the way Of this pOlicy-a con-
tinCcncy which is not rchended-suttable
steps should be taken by just aud liberal nc.
gotiations to promote aud establish the Amer.
lean policy on this subject consistently with
the rights of tho nations TO he affected by IT,.
Tho capital invested by corporations or citi-
zens of other countries in such an enterprise
must in n great degree look for protection to
n1n nF ID, .,C ~
No European Power can intervene for such
protection without adopting measures ON this
continent which tho United States would deem
wholly inadmissiblc.
If the protection of tho United States is re.
lied upon, tho United States must exercise
such control as will enable this country to
protect its National interests and maintain
the rights of those whose private capital is
embarked in the work.
An inter-oceauic canal across the American
isthmns will essentially change tho gcogrpi-
cal relations between tho Atlantic and Pacific
coasts of the United States and between the
United States and tho rest of the world. 1t
will be the great ocean thorough1nre between
our Atlantic and Pacific shores, and virtually
u part Of the coast line of tho United States.
Our merely commercial interest In it is
greater than that Of all other countries, while
its relations TO our power and prosperity as u
Nation, to our means Of defense, our unity,
peace and safety, are matters of paramount
concern 10 the people OF tho United States.
No other great Power would, under similar
circumstances, fail TO assert a rightfu control
over work so closely aud vitally affecting its
interest aud welfare.
Without urging further the grounds of my
opinion, repeat, In conclusion, that it is tho
right and duty of the United States to assert
and maintain such supervision and authority
over any nter-oceRnc canal across the
Isthmus that connects North and South
America rs will protect our national interests.
This l am quite suro will be fonnd not only
compatible with but promotive of the widest
and most permanent advantage to commerce
and civilization. RUTHERFORD b. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 8, 1880.