Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-03

ing else was 10 nave DeeA OAP0SeSA-
The assertion that the Monroe doctrine
gave the United States absolute and en-
tire jurisdiction over any canal or other
means Of interoceanic commerce across
the isthmus of Panama, which
is several hundred miles distant
from the furthest extremity of
the territory of the United States, was,
in the first place, very strained and far
fetched. But when Mr.. Blaine, as
member of the Cabinet of the President
of the United States, deliberately not
only reiterates that doctrine, but goes
further, and declares TO all foreign
powers that in the construction of any
such canal the local and general interests
of the United States must be considered
before those of any other power save
those Of the United States of Colombia
alone, it was very natural that such for
eign powers would consider this an i'm
pertinent and high-handed position, aud
treat it accordingly.
1t will be remembered, doubtless, by
many readers of the News, that when
the subject of the Monroe doctrine was
first preached in connection with the
Isthmus canal scheme of N. de Lesseps,
we took the ground that the position then
assumed was untenable. In the first place,
we held that the Monroe doctrine was
purely political, and referred only to the
establishment of any monarchy or gov
eminent upon the American continent
which might threaten injury to our re-
publican institutions, and that it had no
possible connection with the construc-
ton of a grand commercial highway, out
side the limits of the United States,
demanded by the civilized world. In the
next place we held that should the
United States persist in their absurd
demands they would simply be brought
into contempt. Their claims would be
booted at by the world. and they would
be utterly powerless to do anything more
than buster about our greatness as a
Nation, and like Wouter Won Twiller, of
K-ickerbOcker fame, be forced to con-
tent themselves with issuing protests
and prOclsmatiOns on paper, while the
world would laugh at their pretenslons.
and the work of constructing the canal
would be proceeded with as if they had
not uttered word Of objection.
The result has proven just what we
anticipated. Mr.. Blaine's letter to the
United States Ministers abroad has sim
ply called forth the expression Of opin-
ion among the powers that he has gone
too far with his claims, while NJ. de Les
seps is prosecuting his work vigorously
and to a successful issue without sppar-
emily being aware that Mr.. Blaine had
even alluded to his undertaking, or car
ing straw what the United States might
think. Nor Is this the worst result
Of Mr.. Blsine's letter, but it has set the
London Times to discussing the smallness
Of American tonnage on the ocean and to
deriding our pretensions. eff, asks that
paper, 1.-THE canal were built how many
American ships would go through it?
II one hundred vessels day or a week
were to pass through it, not more than
five of them would be American; all the
other ninety-five would be the vessels of
other nations, fifty at least being Eng
lish. The great bulk of the vessels
which, for some years to come, would
pass through the canal would be English.
At ell events, the dues paid by the
American mercantile marine in its pres
ent unhealthy state are not likely to
form at an early date a considerable
part Of the Shareholders receipts"
These statements Of the London paper
cannot be denied, and they serve to show
at once how perfectly ridiculous it is for
this. government to be asserting superb
oritY over other countries in regard to
this canal because of the Monroe doc
trine, both because other countries do not
coincide with the views o: this in the
matter, and we are entirely unable to
force our views upon them, and because
such assertions call the attention of
the world, very disagreeabiy, 20 the
weakness of our merchant marine and
our navy 1t would be far better for the
government to help on work II which
the world is so much interested, and
which in the future promises to be Of far
more advantage to this than any other
country, than to be adopting the dog.in.
the-manger policy of not building the
canal ourselves nor suffering any one else
to engage in its construction. The New
York Financial and Commercial CtrOni-
Gle of the Goth ultimo, in discussing this
subject, truly says:
1--WE have always taken the ground
| that we ought to wish the canal God
| speed. Come from what source it might,
| by whOmsoever constructed, by whom
| sOever managed, or by whOmsOever pro-
tected, the harvest Of profit would be
| ours. 1t is not our business 10 interpose
| obstacles. If we will not take part in
the work, let us not hinder it, 1t is
| gratifying to learn from such men as Mr..
Seligman and Mr.. Ogden, of the Panama
Railroad. that NJ de Lesseps' enterprise
is already well under way; that the
work promises to be attended with much
less difficulty than was at first anticipated:
that the stock is increasing in value,
and that if money is a consideration in
the matter of final success, money is
ready IN abundance. Mr.. Seligman as
sures us that sixty millions of dollars
are as good as in the cOmpany's Golfers.
When the canal is completed, we see no
reason why it should not be regarded as
the worlds property, and its perpetual
neutrality secured by the signatures of
all the great powers. In the meantime
we regard the construction Of the canal as
of infinitely greater importance than the
maintenance of the principles of the So
called Monroe doctrine. When the diff
Guilty comes, we shall be quite able to
take care of ourselves"
The AmarIoon NarwoHona. Animal