National Republican., 1884-04-08
FROM THE PEOPLE.
An Open Letter to Senator Sherman on a Very
Important Project
A wonder OF spirituaIisnn-Protcs,s ana
Inquiries.
10 he Editor.


send you the following open letter TO
Senator John Sherman concerning railway
communication with South America, which
trust you will find space for in your columns:
Hon. JoHN SHERMAN, United States Sena-
tor--My Dear Sir: As it soems to me, the
time has now come, and is quito momentons
among us, when wiser aud more compre-
hensive system of statcsmanship, fair and
friendly in its formation, and peaceful and
progressive in its purposes, should spread it.
self out from tho highest wisdom and equity of
our government at Washington, even beyond
the southern limits of the United States, and
permeato the whole OF Mexico, Central and
South America. In every country south of
the Rio Grande there is needed at once for
the conservation and advancement of our
interests as well as their own a broader and
better statesmanship than has hitherto been
manifested in any tropical or semi-tropical
region; a more enlightened and effcacious
statesmanship, in fact, than has ever yet
been developed in any part of the western
hemisphere, not excepting our own incom-
parably great republic which, however, is
itself very much too internal and domestic
in Its ways to meet successfully thc vitality
important and world wide emergencies which
are beginning to arise in this ago OF un-
paralleled material power and progress.
On account of our doplorablc lack Of ade-
quate public forecast and timely action in tho
direction indicated, we have already suffered
and are still suffering q prodigious loss of
prestige at Panama; and In the absence Of n
prompt and prudent bestirring of ourselves,
from commendable motives of both patriotism
and profit, there Is now imminent danger
that, because Of the persistent gncroachmcnts
of European merchants and mariners in the
manufacturing and commercial interests of
Europe, we shall soon be subjected to other
and even worse humiliations and disadvau-
tages elsewhere in Spanish America.
For us as nation to attain in due time all
the very desirable objects and conditions con-
templated in the foregoing remarks it Is, as
l profoundly believe, only necessary for con-
gress to pass, with but little additional delay,
the very carefully and we'll weighed senate
bill No. 1900 las last amended), corresponding
with house bill No. 12f (yet to be amendedl /,
providing for regular rail way and CONNER
cial intercourse with all the countries OF
Central and South America Therefore, in
view of the numerous sound and sufficient
reasons which have ON various occasions been
presented by many sincere friends Of the
measure, who have really no interest in 1t
whatever but to promote their country well
fare, respectfully entreat you as chairman
Of the senate subcommittee to whom the
matter has been referred for consideration
and report, to act favorably upon it at your
earliest convenience and aid, with your usual
ability, in inducing its speedy passage.
rrOIu uIhJ 10 laSU lnlS Dill 10. lIUU II. IS4)
has undergone a great many alterations and
amendments at the hands of several senators
aud Representatives of both political parties,
though in itself, in its inception and aims,
being pre-eminently national, international,
snd intercontinental, it is entirely free from
oil one-sided and illiberal considerations of
mere party. This very thoughtfully matured
bill, as am abundantly prepard to demon
strate, is, by gentlemen of disinterested and
superior Judgment, believed to be as nearly
perfect now, to answer fully the immense
and excellent ends OF it introduction, as it
can well be made Nevertheless. il you or
yourself and one or more of your learned
colleagues can improve it-and this is GER
tainly possible, if not probable-pray do so;
for its design and scope are at once worthy OF
your most earnest deliberations and your
very best efforts.
Proud OF this now opportunity to salute
you as o fellow-American, yet, believing that
very much remains to be done as regards
matters and things more or less distant from
our own domicils, before we and our country
men generally shall be wholly warranted in
anything like loud boastings of the simple
fact that we are American citizens, have
the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant,
HINTON Rowan HELPER,
No. 514 Thirteenth street northwest.
WAsHINGroN, April 5.