The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-03-12
TmE IsTlIMUs CANAL.

President Hayes sent the following
message TO the Senate last Monday
deem il proper TO state briefly my
opinion as TO the policy Of the United
States with respect to tho construction
Of an inter-oeeanic canal by any route
across the American islhmus. Tho pol
icy Of this country il that such canal
must be under American control. The
United States cannot consent 10 surren-
der Of this control to any European
powers. II existing treaties between
the United States and other nations, or
if the rights of sovereignty Of property
Of other nations stand in the way Of
this policy, contingency which is not
apprehended, suitable steps should be
taken 10y just and liberal negotiations TO
promote and establish American policy
on this subject consistently with the
rights Of nations to be affected by il.
Tho capital invested by corporations or
citizens Of other countries in such an
enterprise, must in great degree look
for protection 10 one or more Of the
great powers Of the world. No Euro
pean power can intervene for such pro-
lection without adopting measures on
this continent which the United Statca
would deem wholly inadmisaibIe. If
the protection Of the United States is
relied upon, the United States must ex-
erciae such control as will enable this
country TO protect its national interests
aud maintain those whose private capi-
tai Is embarked in the work. An in
teroceanic canal across the American
isthmus will essentially change the geo
graphical relations between the Allan.
tic and Pacific coast of the United
States, and between the United States
and tho rest Of tho world. 1t will he a
great oceanic thoroughfarc between our
Atlantic and Pacific shores, aud virtu-
ally part Of the coast line Of the United
States. Our merely commercial inter
est is greater than that Of all other
countries, while It's relations TO our
power and prosperity as n nation and
70 our means Of defence, 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 rightful control over a work 50
closely and vitality affecting its interest
and welfare.
Without urging further the ground
Of my opinion ! repeat, in conclusion,
that it IL the right and duty Of the
United States 10 assert and maintain
such supervision and authority over any
inter-oceaaie canal across the isthmui
that connects North and South Ameri
ca as will protest our national interests
This, am quite sure, will be found
not only compatible with, but promot
i've Of the widest and most permanent
advantage to, commerce and civiliza
ton.
Ii this line Of action should be adopt
eI by Congress it would interfere con
siderably with the interests of certain
EngIisl, capitalists, and prominent
newspapers IN Great Britain are already
beginning to criticise the action Of oui
President. The London Standard o
last Tuesday, in referring to the claim
Of thu United States FOR prepondcratinl
influence in tho Panama canal, says
"that this pretcnsion Great Britain i
bound to watch, and il necessary TO re
sist. No more at Panama than a
suez can the prcponderating influences
of another power bo allowed to Ia!
hands on the trade of England"