National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-24
The Inter0eeanie Canal.
To the Editor of The RepablienR:

~ Hfc flutOf " ItC tt1uUUtH.
The people and their representatives
in Congress are now pretty well informed of the
fact that French company has arranged to eStab-
lish itself upon the Isthmus of Panama for the
construction of an interoceanic canal. This pro-
jeet is known as the Lesseps scheme.
Before our Congress can meet next winter this
French concern will have begun its work, and
then the American people VIII be brought face to
face with a problem that can no longer be put
aside as one ofno consequence to us, or as one in
which we have but little interest. Most decidedly
our interests in this question are very great The
tone of the American press, which echoes the voice
of the people is strongly opposed to a French COM
pa ny, or any company of foreigners carrying out a
project of such importance TO. not alone the COM
mercal but the political Interests of this country
Can there be any more practicable method ofop
pressing this French company, and at the same time
the powerful government which stands behind it
tfor we may be sure that France, though now unseen
is Sthere if the evidence Of the history of all such
schemes IS Of any yaluel, than by building canal
ourselves? An American organization holds TO-
day concession from the republic of Nicaragua
The bill granting charter to this company is be-
fore Congress, and has been favOrably reported in
the House. If this bill is passed, as ii should be
before Congress adjourns, then the American peo-
pie need no longer fear French company To-
eating itself upon the American isthmus
A canal should be built over the route which is
the most practicable and the most economical
and that the Nicaragua or American route is far
more practicable and far more economical than
the Panama Or any other route for ship canal
has been thoroughly demonstrated by the surveys
made by this Government the records of which
on file in the Navy Department. But, unless
decided action is taken by this Congress the
American people and their representatiyeSmay rest
assured that they have by no means heard the last
of this subject.
If. with scarcely protest our Congress permits
France TO locate rich and powerful company on
the American isthmuS-ifC Congress denies charter
to American citizens to form an American COM
pany which will build for us an American canal
then Congress has neglected plain duty: il has
shirked responsibility which surely rests upon it,
for Congress certainly responsible tOrany neglect
of this great question. with which our political
and commercial interests Greso closely connected.
If Congress wishes 10 see French canal connect
the two oceans that wash the shores Of this coun-
try. then, gentlemen, do nothing to hinder the
progress OF such company and do nothing to assist
an American company; but, remember, gentlemen,
you are an American, not a French, Congress; re-
member that American Interests are in your keep
ing, and that the American people look to you to
guard all their Interests, even though III so doing
you may injure the prospects of foreign scheme
"a scheme which you viii find, sooner or later, as
lnimcal to this country was that other scheme
of French bayOnets establishing and upholding
foreign prince in the government of neighbOring
republic. French troops entered Mexico TO secure
French commercial Interests; Macmillan fol-
lowed the troops
Let the history of those events IN Mexico be a
warming TO lis now; let Congress show q decided
and vigorous policy; let it teach the French once
for all that America belongs Americans and that
right to a fOothold on American soil that we
Americans can manage our own interOceanic
canals without assistance from foreign companies
or foreign governments and that we propose to
manage them without any foreign aid or inter
ventiOn whatsoever. PATRIOT.