New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-06

premisesP This question nearly concerns eV-
cry American citizen who has at heart the
dignity of the country. Is the proposed dec-
laration of the National Congress to pass for
byufu,n ftImrn, like other declarations OF ike
import, or shall we at once take the steps
necessary to make it effective and to give 1t
significance in the eyes of the wOrld9 Certain
it is, at least, that this country cannot with
self Prospect 90 on prOnOunclng mock mani
festoes which only excite dcriSiOn abroad. The
question before us is whether the commercial
interests and the political interests of the
United States are to be Canyassed and adj
justed in Europe, for to that complexion we
must come at last, if the one route between
the Atlantic and Pacific is controlled by for
cgn capital, levying undue tribute upon
American commerce. 1t matters very little
whether the sentiment which rcslStS Such an
incquitable adjustment be called Monroe
Doctrine or, indeed, whether it he at all
inn lied in the monroe Doctrine Sufficient
for Us that it is an American sentiment. As
such,lt is as worthy of respect as any Euro
pcan sentiment. But our claims do not rest
upon mere sentiment. Such an ocean
thoroughfare will virtually become part
of the coast line of the United States,
and as a means of commerce, defence,
unity, peace and safety, it will become OF
paramount concern to the people OF the United
States With such interests at stake there Is
not country in Europe that would not resist
with all its powers the execution of an analO-
gOuS scheme in its own neghborhOOd, even
though the route lay beyond It's borders. If
English capital. for example, were to under
take the construction of q ship canal which
should involve the interests OF German COM
merce in the North Sea there is no question
that the German Empire would enter an
effective protest without delay. II Is true that
we are not a militant nor military Nation,
but neither have we the desire to augment
our need of dcfcncts by adding to OR dangers.
1t VIII be seen that grave responsibility
rests with the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
No one can doubt that the sentiments of the
Grape resolution should he at once adopted in
one form or another, either amended
by emitting the latter CLAUSE, or as 1t stands.
But it must be borne in mind that IT
the second clause of the joint resolution be
retained oar lawmakers. should be prepared to
provide the Executive with something more
than the mere magic Of their simple measures
perhaps even with the physical force rcqu-
site to execute at tie I5hmuS the decree
OF the American people, Whatever ar-
ton, however, may be taken, the time
has certainly come for the United states To
arrive ut some fixed policy with regard to the
French prof ct. Congress may clchtr impede
its execution with all The power at the dis
po,al of the Government, or else 1t may de-
eide 10 maintain a policy "i unm'stcrly m
activity. hacked by barren mebacr'; on,
again, it may adop; q method cheaper tian
force and ISIS Illuminating than inactlon. by
promoting some competitive waterway limited
to low tolls and calculated 70 pl'Ih zc all
rival undertakings. What Is wanted, i'll any
event, is pronp; action. The situation cannot
bc fila ed OYER or banIs!nd like some bad
dream; and whatever Is done should hr done
without delay, and with Il pretty rlan in
dicaton that this time our chalk" mean,
"litpn