The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-31

1865, we are to-day without single man of
war that could fight an hour before the IRON
clads of England, and without seaboard de-
. fences. All the world has been so informed
by the reports of the Navy Department and
the Chief Of Engineers. England would
batter down our seabosrd cities and we
would invade Canada and capture the cities
of the Dominion, bat nothing would be set.
tied by the treaty. offered my resolution
not in opposition to the treaty, Of which
say nothing, but because / thought the ex-
petition Of the Secretary OF the Navy
an attempt TO compromise this Government
In advance OF the action OF the Senate. OF
course do not propose TO discuss now the
pending treaty, but have given considers-
bic attention to the Isthmus route, and /
have no doubt that the Tehuantepec route
is infinitely preferable to either Panama or
Nicaragua. The Tehuantepeo route is far
healthier, entirely free from the Gains which
prevail at both the other points, and is su-
perior as to distance and accessibility from
the United States in the event OF war, nor
is 1t subject to the complications growing
out of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, unless
made by additional treaty stipulations. The
Tehuantepec route is 1 $50 miles nearer to
New Orleans than Nicaragua, and 200 miles
nearer than Panama. Frow New YORK it is
700 miles nearer than Nicaragua, and l,25O
nesrer than Panama. Without being an ex-
pert in such matters believe that the ship
railway Of Captain Eads Is entirely prsctlcs-
BILE, and that il is in every respect preferable
to q canal OF course it would be necessary
before commencing the work to establish by
treaty the proper understanding with Mex
leo, upon whose territy this route is located,
and If such an understanding could be
had it would give us the entire trade
OF that country. There is nothing partisan
in the matter, of course, but cannot help
saying that the sudden zeal OF the Repubh-
II. H. e.. Al,lNF 4
ifest destiny, Just as they are going out and
we are coming in, is little amusing. Mr.
FreliDghuysen in his letter to Mr.. Lowell
of Nav g. 1882, said the Monroe doctrine
meant that Ito place the Isthmus under the
protection and guarantee OF the powers oil
Europe rather than under the protection OF
the leading powers Of this hemisphere would
seriously threaten and affect the political
interests OF that power" These were Tex
ceeding brave words" bat the Panama Canal
is being constructed under the protection
and guarantee of France and the work has
been going on for several years without
even feeble protest from this Government.
The Monroe doctrine. like the Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty, ought to be either enforced or
abandoned, but the last hours OF Mr.. Ar
thurs administration are devoted, after
years of stupid inaction, to creating all sorts
OF complications and difficulties as q legacy
for the incoming Democrats. They are put
tng as many rock5 III the cnannel as posi-
Bile. in order that the administration of
Cleveland may be shipwrecked on them.
Secretary Frelinghuysen, who has given
the subject of the commercial treaties a good
deal OF study, says in regard to complaints
of inequality of revenue affected in the
Spanish treaty: I'm view OF the disparity OF
population it is not to be expected that we
can secure an exact equivalent exchange OF
products. Two and quarter millions can
not offer q market equal to ffty-five or sixty
millions. Other considerations must be re-
membered. New markets. are highly desir.
able in this period of over production; tze
encouragement of our shipping is matter
of great importance. II these objects can be
attained in exchange for tropical products oil
general consumption by our people, it is not
essential that the loss Of revenue be equal
If. indeed, the concessions on either side are
pIoportionate to the population. the true
principles of reciprocity Rsy be said to have
been Observed AUSTIN.