The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-03-11
AMERICA FOR AMERICANS
MIR. HAYES PROCLAIMs THE MON
ROE DOCTRINE.
The Inter Ocean Canal 10 be Under American
Control.
"No pent up utica contracts our powers,

"No pent up utica contracts our powers
For the whole boundless continent is Oursp
Washington, D. c., March S.-The following
message was received by the Senate to day
To THE sENATE-I transmit herewith report
OF the Secretary Of State and accompanying pa
pers In response to a resolution adopted by the
Senate on the 18th Of February last, TeQueptiDg
"copies Of all correspondence between this Gov
ernment and any foreign Government since Feb
rlary, 1859, respecting Ship Canal across the
Isthmus between North America and South
America together with copies Of any project Of
treaties respecting the fsme which the Depart
ment Of State may have proposed or submitted
since that date 10 any foreign Power or ,s diplO-
matte representatives" In further compliance
with the resolution Of the Senate, deem II prop.
er to state briefly my opinion as 10 the policy OF
the United States with respect to the ConBtIuc.
tion OF an Inter Ocean Canal by any route across
the American Isthmus.
The policy ottis county is, canal under AaeT.
lean control. The United States can not consent 10
surrender this control 10 any European PClCeT. II
existing treaties between the United States and
other Nations, or If the rights Of sovereignty or
property Of other Nations Gland In the way Of
this policy-a contingency which Is not appre-
h ended suitable steps should be taken by just
and liberal negotiations to promote and establish
the American policy on this subject consistently
with the rights of the Nations to be effected by IT,
The capital invested by corporations or Cit.
zens Of other CountIits in such an enterprise
must In great degree, lock for protection to one
or more OF the Great Powers of the world. No
European power can intervene for such proteo.
ton without adopting measures on this Cont
nent which the United States would deem wholly
in ad missible, Iftthe protection Of the United
States must exercise ku0h control as will enable
this county to protect its national interests and
main tain the rights of these whore private cap
tai is embarked in the work.
An Inter Oceanic Canal across the American
Isthmus will essentially change the geographical
lei ations between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts
Of the United States, and between the United
States and the rest Of the world. II will be the
great IOcesn thoroughfaIe between our Atlantic
and cur Pacific shores, and virtually part Of the
coast sline,of the United States. Our merely com-
m ercial interest in 1t is greater than that OF all
other countries, while its relations to our power
a nd prosperity as nation, TO our means OF de-
ence our unity, peace and safety, are matters Of
paramount consideration 10 the people Of the
United States No other Great Power would, un.
der similar circumstances, fail to assert rightful
control over a work 80 closely and virtually
| affecting It's interest and welfare.
Without urging further grounds ofmy opinion,
repeat, in conclusion, that 1t is the right and
uty Of the!United States to assert and maintain
3 uch supervision and authority over any Inter
Oceanic Canal across The Isthmus that connects
orth end South America as will protect our ma.
ito nal interests. This, am quite sure will be
found not only compatible with, but promOtive
OF the widest and most permanent advantage to
co mmerCe and civilization.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES,
| Executive Mansion, March 8, 1880.