The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17


pinwall by the insurectionary forces.
THE IsrHNus CANAL.
The interest of the United States In prac-
ticable transit for ships across the strip of land
separating the Atlantic from the Pacific has
been repeatedly manifested during the last half
century. My immediate predecessors caused TO
be negotiated with Nicaragua a treaty for the
construction by and az the sole cost OF the
United States, Of n canal through Nicaraguan
territory, and laid before the Senate. Pending
the action Of that body thereon, withdrew the
treaty for denomination Attentive considera-
ton of it's provisions leads me to withhold it
from resubmission to the Senate.
Maintaining as do the policy OF the Presi-
dents from Washingtons day, which prescribe
enlarging entangling alliances with foreign
states, do not favor a policy OF acquisition OF
new ana distant territory or the Incorporation
of remote interests with our own. The laws OF
progress are vital and organic, and we must be
conscious of that irresistible tide OF commercial
expansion which, as the concomitant of our
active civilization, day by day, is being urged on
ward by those increasing facilities Of production,
transportation, and communication to which
steam and electricity have given birth.
address ourselves mainly TO the development
of the vast resources of the great area COM
mitted 20 our charge and 10 the cultivation OF
the arts Of peace within our borders, though
iealousy alert in preventing the American
Hemisphere from being involved in the polit-
cal problems and complications OF distant gov
ernments. Therefore | am unable TO recon-
mend propositions involving paramount privi-
leges of ownership or rights outside OF our own
territory when coupled with absolute and UNI
limited engagements to defend territorial in
tegrity of the state where such interests lie.
SHIP RAILWAY.
While the general project OF connecting the
two oceans by means of canal is TO be encour-
aged am of opinion that any scheme TO that
end, TO be considered with favor, shall be free
from the features alluded to. The Tefuantepec
route is declared by engineers of the highest re-
pute and by competent scientists to afford an
entirely practical transit for vessels and car
goes by means of ship railway from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. The obvious advantages
of such route, IL feasible, over others more
remote from the axial lines of traffic between
Europe and the Pacific, and particularly be-
tween the valley Of the Mississippi and the
western coast OF North and South
America, are deserving of consideration.
Whatever highway may be constructed across
the barrier dividing the two greatest maritime
areas of the world, must be for the worlds BEN
eht-a trust for mankind, to be removed from
the chance Of domination by any single power,
nor become point OF invitation OF hostilties or
Il prize for warlike ambition. Nm engagement
combining the construction, ownership, and oper-
alton of such work by this Government, with an
offensive and defensive alliance for its protection
with the foreign states whose responsibilities
and rights we would share, is, in my judgment
inconsistent with such dedication To universal
and neutral use, and would moreover. entail
measures for it's realization beyond this
scope of our national policy or present means
The lapse OF years has abundantly confirmed
the wisdom and foresight of those earlier i'd
ministrations, which, long before the conditions
OF mari tlne intercourse were cnnnpeu ana en-
larged by the progress of the age. proclaimed
the vital need of inter traffic across the
commercial isthmus and consecrated IL in adj
vance TO the common use of mankind by their
positive declaration and through the formal
obligation of trade Toward such realization
the efforts of my administration will be applied,
ever bearing in mind the principles on which IL
must rest and which were declared in no UNI
certain tones by MIR. Cass, who, while Secretary
of State in 1858, announced that whit the
United States want in Central America next to
fla ham fha
neutrality of the nter-oceanic routes which
may be laid through IT,"
TRANscoNT1NENTAL RAILWAYS
The construction Of three transcOntinental lines
OF railway, all in successful operation, wholly
within our territory, and uniting the Atlantic
and the Pacific Oceans, Inns been accompanied
by results Of Il most interesting and impressive
nature, and has created new conditions, not in
the routes of commerce only, but in political
geography, which powerfully affect our relations
toward, and necessarily increase our interests
in any Reconsideration route which may be
opened and employed for the ends of peace and
trdfic, or in other contingencies, for uses inim-
ical to both.
Transportation Is n factor in the cost Of CON-
modities scarcely second 20 that Of their produc-
ton and weighs rs heavily upon the consumer.
Our existence already has proven the great inn
portance Of having the competition between
land carriage md water carriage fully devel-
oped, each acting as a protection 20 the public
against the tendencies of monopoly, which is in
herent in the consolidation of wealth and power
in the hands of vast corporations These sug-
gestions may serve Co emphasize what have
already said on the score of the necessity OF
naturalization OF any inter-oceanic transit, and
this can only be accomplished by making the
uses of the route open TO all nations and sub
ject to the ambitions and warlike necessities Of
none.
The drawings and report of n recent survey OF
the Nicaragua Canal route, made by Chief En-
gineer Menocal will be communicated for your
information.
chilli, PERU AND BOLIVIA.
The claims of citizens OF the United States for
losses by reason Of the late military operations
of Chilli in Peru and Bolivial are the subject OF
negotiation for n Claims Convention with Chill,
providing for their submission TO arbitration.
CHINA AND THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The harmony OF our relations with China is
fully sustained in the application OF the acts
lately passed TO execute the treaty of 1880.
strictive Of the immigration of Chinese lnborers
into the United States. Individual cases Of hard
ship have occurred beyond the power of the EX-
ecutive to remedy, and calling for judicial de-
termination.
The condition Of the Chinese question in the
Western States and Territories sis. despite this
restrictive legislation, far from being satisfac-
tory. The recent outbreak in Wyoming Terri
tory, where numbers of unoffending Cinnamon,
un6Esputably within tho protection of the trea-
ties and the law, were murdered by mob, and
the still more recent threatened outbreak Of the
same character in Washington Territory, are
still fresh in the minds of all, and there ia ap-
prehension lest the bitterness of feeling against
the Monaghan race on the Pacific slope may
find vent TO similar lGwless demonstration
All the power OF tnls government FnOuld ne eX-
erted TO maintain the amplest good faith toward
China in the treatment of these men and the in
flexible sternness Of the law i'm bringing the
wrOng-doers TO Justice should be insisted upon.
Every effort has been made by this Government
10 prevent these violent outbreaks and 20 aid the
representatives of China in their investigation Of
these outrages and il is but just TO say that they
are traceable TO the lawlessness of men not citi-
zens OF the United States engaged in COMPETE
ton with Chinese laborers.
Race prejudice is the chief factor in original
ing these disturbances, audit exists in large
part Of our domain, jeopardizng our peace and
the good relationship we try TO maintain with
China The admitted rights Of n Government
TO prevent the influx of elements hostile to its
internal peace and security may not be ques-
toned, even where there is no treaty stipula-
ton on the subject That the exclusion of
Chinese labor is demanded in other countries
whore like conditions prevail, is strongly
evidenced i'm the Dominion of Canada, where
Chinese immigration is now regulated by
laws more exclusive than our own.
III existing laws are inadequate 60 compass the
end in view, shall be prepared to give earnest
consideration to any further remedial measures
within the treaty limits which the wisdom of
Congress may devise.
THE CONGO STATE.
The independent state of the Congo has been
organized as government under the SOW
ereignty of his Majesty the King of the Belgians
who assumes its chief mngistracy in his per-
state dependency on Belgium. IL is for
tunate that benighted region, owing all 1t has
OF quickening civilization to the benehcence OF
the philanthropic spirit OF this monarch, should
have the advantages and security of his benevo-
lent supervision.
in being tho first TO recognize the flag OF the In-
ternatiouO1 AesOcintion of tho Congo has been