The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-03-16

this great enteTprss would tsnd 10 ad-
vance the commerce Of the world more
than any one enterprise eve undert4k-
en- in modern times. A ship canal
through the isthmus would entirely
revolutionize the course Of trade. The
path struck out by yasco de Cana,
three centuries ago, which has ever
since been followed by the mercantile
marine Of the world, would be aban-
doned, and the length Of the voyage
from any port Of Christendom on the
Atlantic coast TO almost any port on
the Pacific abridged more than one
half. Another advantage Of import
ance lies in the fact that Cape Horn
would no longer present an impediment
to the free navigation OF the south Pa
cihc. This point Is one Of the most
dangerous known to navigation; every
sailor breads Cape Horn, and feels q
sense OF relief when safely on the fur
Their side Of its rugged peaks. Doub-
ling the cape Is the great event Of =
maratime career, and no sailors educa-
ton is complete until this achievement
has been accomplished.
The manifold advantages Of an inter-
oceanic canal 10 commerce are 30 APP
parent that no man can deny them.
The great length Of the voyage would
be diminished, the vast loss Of property
and life occasioned by the numerous
shipwrecks In the southern ocean would
be prevented, and, above all, the COM
mercial interests Of the entire world
greatly developed, and the principal
states Of Christendom bound closer by
the ties Of common Interest. Nothing
else has SO powerful a influence TO re-
strain states from war. TO promote gen.
eral concord, TO advance the interests
Of civilization ms commercial inter-
course. The construction Of the inter-
oceanic canal would prove q most i'm
portant measure toward the accom-
plishment OF this state OF affairs. The
United States would prove recreant TO
Its own principles should 1t, for the pur-
pose OF securing n few local advantages,
oppose this enterprise. The nation by
such selfish, short-sighted action, would
place itself In the rear instead OF hold
ing n position In the vanguard OF civil
zation. This country has no valid ex-
cuse for opposing DE Lesseps scheme.
The citation OF the Monroe doctrine il
a mere pretext; so utterly without foun-
dalton as 10 border on the ridiculous.
The doctrine Of President Monroe, pro-
pounded In 1923, has no application
whatever to the present case. At that
time n violent reaction in public senti-
ment had taken place all over Europe.
The impulse created by the French rev
olution had expired; republican institu-
tions were everywhere crushed; monar-
chicai sentiment was everywhere trium-
plant. Shortly after the downfall Of
Napoleon the great powers OF Russia,
Austria, Prussia and France, sent repre-
s~entatives TO general congress ut Ven
Ice. This assembly disseminated prin-
ciples Of nm extraordinary and arbitra-
ny character. The divine right Of kings
was not only promulgated, but 1t was
maintained that in case the people Of
any European nation should overthrow
the existing government and attempt to
establish n republic, ~neighboring states
were justified interfering, and IL neces-
sary, by force subvert the republican
and restore the despotic form Of gov
eminent.
This atrocious doctrine was acceded
to by every great European state ex-
cepting England, who protested against
it. Spain at that period was engaged
in an Intellectual attempt to reduce the
revolted South American states to ODE
dience. 1t was supposed that the ma
lions represented at Venice would aid
in their subjugation. This, the United
States were determined not to permit,
and In pursuance Of this sentiment tho
president issued the famous declaration
known as the Monroe doctrine, the sub
stance of which was that hereafter no
European nation should plant colonies,
or in any way obtain possession Of ter
ritory on this continent. The political
condition Of Europe and America in
1923, when this declaration was made,
clearly manifcsts Its meaning; which
was, that European nations should not,
at will, ~subjugate the weak states Of
the southern portion Of this continent,
and annex them as mere provinces. that
although the arbitrary doctrine enun-
ciated by the congresses Of Venice and
Laybach might be extended TO any re-
public Of Europe, IL should not be APP
piled in this country; that IL the powers
of Europe would protect the interests
OF monarchy In the old world the Great
Republic would guard the free institu-
tions OF the new.
1t is very difficult TO perceive any
violation Of the Monroe doctrine
through the construction OF the Pana.
ma canal, which would simply be u sort
Of joint stock enterprise, Of which the
United States would he one Of the par
ties interested. No particular nation
would acquire new territory, no entang-