The true northerner., 1880-03-12

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Accommodation

accommodation Cf the Monroe Doctrine.
To THE SENATE: transmit herewith the
report of the Secretary of State and accompa-
nying papers in response to the resolution
adopted by the Senate on the 11th Of February
last, requesting copies Of all correspondence
between this Government and any foreign Gov
ernment since February, 1879, respecting a chip
canal across the isthmus between North Amer
lea 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. p"
In further compliance with the resolution of the
Senate, deem 1t proper to state briefly my
opinion as to the policy of the United
States with respect to the construction of an
inter-oceanio canal by any route sacross the
American isthmus. The policy of this coun-
United States cannot consentf to surrender
this control to any European power, or
to any combination Of European powers.
Ii existing treaties between the United
States and other nations, or II rights Of
sovereignty or property Of other nations stand
in the way Of this policy-a contingency which
is not pprehended-euitable steps should be
taken by just and liberal negotiations to pro-
mote and establish the American policy ON this
subject consistently with the rights Of the
nations to be affected by it. The Capital in
vested by corporations or citizens Of other
countries in such an enterprise must, ir great
degree, look for protection to one or more of
the great powers Of the world. No European
power can intervene for such protection with
out adopting measures on this continent which
the United States would deem inadmissible. II
the protection of the United States ir relied upon
the United States must exercise such control as
will enable this country to protect it's national
interests, and maintain the rights of those
whose private capital is embarked in the work.
An inter-oceanic canal across the American
sthmus will essentially change the geo
graphical relations between the At
lantie and Pacific coasts of the United
States, and between the United States
and the rest of the world. II will be the great
ocean thoroughfare between our Atlantic and
our Pacific shores, and virtually part of the
coaet line OF the United States Our merely
commercial interest in it is greater than that of
al other countries While it's, relations to
our power and prosperity as nation,
to our means OF defense our unity.
peace and eafety are matters of paramount
consideration to the people of the United States,
no other power would, under similar circum-
stances, fail to assert rightful control over
work so closely and vitality affecting its interest
and welfare.
Without urging further grounds of my opin-
ion, repeat, in conclusion, that IL is the right
and duty of the United States to assert and
maintain such supervision and aulhor-
ity over any inter-oceanic canal
across the isthmus that connects North and
South America as will protect our national in
terests. This, 1 am quite sure, will be found
not only compatible with, but promo,iye of.
the widest and most permanent advantage TO
commerce and civilization.
RUTHERroRD b. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 3, 1880.