The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-01-06
WHY peLEssEP.s DIDN'T DO 1T.

Ex-President Grant, 80 it was nois-
ed abroad by Admiral Ammen, was
to be the president of DeLessep's
Canal Company. DeLesseps came
across the Atlantic and went 10
Panama, and Grant and Ammen
placed themselves in the way 10 be
picked up by the great Frenchman.
All that DcLesseps knew of Grant
was Sthat by the force Of men and arms
and by the weakness of enemies
he had won q reputation, and that
he had been used for eight years, as
president Of these Uuited States, by
the most designing and unseru-
pulous men, and that after this
he had been sustained and feted al
public and private expense. Before
the accidental chapter In his history
gave Grant reputation, he was an in
different peddler and sawmili man
in Illinois. What there was in all this
to recommend him to the great en-
gineer to conduct one of the grand
est undertakingsk6f the age, no ono
has been able to find out, and
the effort to push him on the French
man was nothing more, probably,
than trick of those upon whom
Grant feels that he may draw for
funds. Tom Ochiltree has just as
many requisites for managing the
construction of AN isthmian canal
as Grant has, and il would have
been even more reasonable to choose
the flaming, dashing Texan, who
would have at least made a noise
about tie job, than to have chosen
this silent man, who is wisest
and greatest when he shuts
his mouth and he goes around
the world at government ex-
pense, smoking other mems cigars,
and accepting presents from Dan to
Beersheba. DeLesseps had enough
facts before him to make him know
that Grants waste of money in
building canal, would be like his
waste of men before Vicksburg and
Richmond, and he knew nothing
recommending him in scientific ac-
quirements. The Frcnchman did
not feel like asking his friends, while
spending a million in canal work. to
| spend another uIillion in sustain
ing Grant and his hangers on,
and thus it was that others
have been named to ruin the scheme.
These are the tue features of the
case, and the miserable attempt now
being made by Grant, Ammen & Co.
to battle the plans of DeLcsseps are
supremely contemplate. The mon
eyed men of the world will
never go 10 Grant to learn what
is best to do with their money, and
Admiral Ammen's reputation won
by waiting on Grant with a
government ship around the world,
will hardly add influence to
this company, that il now
now kicking up a row at Washing
ington over De Lesseps scheme.
Il is alleged that a canal across the
IsthmIs of Panama is commercial
necessity, that commerce upon
the oceans may be carried
on with moro dispatch and with
less expense. If this be so, the field
has bee n open as well to American as
to European inaugurators, and those
who take up the cue Of opposition
from Grant and Ammen do their
intelligence injury. Grant has tax.
ell up his abode in Washington, and
unless this Democratic Congress
hasten to join him in his personal
opposition to De Lesseps, the
Republican Congress that meet,
next March viii do so. But
what If opposition be made
The United States has no ships en-
gagged in ocean trade, and this haste
in kicking up muss about "our yes
sells" rights is simply farsieal. Ever
ifthere were these ships the govern
ment has no armed vessels with
which to protect them, while Eng
land and the other European nations
have magnificent merchant, marines
and naval armaments. Despite th'
chagrin Of Grant and his friends
it looks reasonable that these Euro
pean nations have quite right Il
look after canal that is to be main
y an accommodation to their owl
commercial interests.