Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09
A DELICATE QUESTION.

claiming the closure OF certain ports then
in the hands of the insurgents, and de-
claring vessels held by the revolutiorists
to be piraucal, and liable TO capture by
any power. To neither OF these PROPOSE
tions could the United states assent. An
effective closure ofports not in the possess
sion of the government, but held by hos
tile partisans, could not be recognized,
neither could the vessels OF insurgents
| against the legitimate sovereignty, be
deemed hostes humania generis, within
| the precepts of international law, what
ever might be the definition and penalty
of their acts under the municipal law of
the State, against whoee authority they
were in revolt. The denial by this gov
ernment of the Columbian propositions
did not, however, imply the admission of
belligerent status on the part Of the insur-
gents.
The Colombian Government has ex-
pressed its Willingness to negotiate con-
ventioDs for the adjustment, by arbitra-
tion, OF claims by foreign citizens arising
out of the destruction OF the city OF Aspin-
wall by the insurrectiOnary forces.
TRANS PANAMA NAVIGATION.
The interest of the United States in a
practicable transit for ships across the
strip of land separating the Atlantic from
the Pacific, has been repeatedly manifest
ed during the last half century.
My immediate predecessor caused to be
negotiated with Nicaragua treaty for
construction, by and at the sole cost
Of the United States Of
canal through Nicaraguan territory,
and laid it before the Senate. Pending
the action of that body thereon j with
drew the treaty for re-eXamlnation. At
tentive consideration of its provisions
leads me to withhold 1t from resubmis-
sion to the Senate. Maintaining as l do
the tenets of a line Of precedents from
Washington's day, which prescribe en-
tangling alliances with foreign States,
do not favor q policy of acquisition OF
poration Of remote interests with our
own.
THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION.
The laws Of progress are vital and Or
ganic, 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 onward by
those increasing facilities of production,
transportation, and communication to
which steam and electricity have given
birth, but our duty in the present in
structs us to address ourselves mainly TO
the development of the vast resources of
the great area committed to our charge,
and to the cultivation of the arts of peace
within our own borders, though iealOusly
alert IN preventing the American hemi-
sphere from being involved in the politi-
cal problems and complications OF dis
tant governments. Therefore, l am un-
able to recommend propositions involving
permanent privileges of ownership or
right outside of our own territory, when
coupled with absolute and unlimited
engagements to defend the territorial
integrity OF the State where such interests
lie. While the general project Of connect
ing the two oceans by means of a canal is.
to be encouraged, am of the opinion that
any scheme to that end to be considered
with favor should be free from the features
alluded to.
THE TEHUANTEPEc SHIP RAILWAY.
The Tehuantepec route is declared by
engineers Of the highest repute and by
competent scientists to afford an entirely
practicable transit for vessels and car
goes by means of ship railway from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. The obvious ad-
vantages OF such a route, If feas-
ible, over others more remote
from the axial lines of traffic
between Europe and the Pacific, and par
ticularly between the valley OF the Mis-
sissippi and the western coast of North
and South America are deserving OF con-
sideration. Whatever highway may be
constructed across the barrier dividing
the two greatest maritime areas Of the
world must be for the worlds benefit, a
trust for mankind to be removed from the
chance Of domination by any single
power, nor become point OF invitation
for hostilities or prize for warlike ambi-
tion. An engagement combining the con-
struction, ownership and operation OF
ment HT with an offensive and
defensive alliance for its protection with
the foreign state whose responsibilities
aud rights we would share is, in nv judg-
ment, Inconsistent with such dedication
TO universal and neutral use, and would,
moreover, entail measures for its realiza-
ton beyond the scope OF our national pol
ity or present means.
The lapse OF years has abundantly con-
hrmed the wisdom and foresight of those
earlier administrations which, long be-
fore the conditions of maritime inter-
course were changed and enlarged by the
progress Of the age, proclaimed the vital
need of interOceanlc transit across the
American isthmus, and consecrated
1t in advance TO the common use
Of mankind by their positive
declarations and through the formal
obligation OF treaties. Toward such rea-
lization 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 uncertain
tones by Mr.. Cass, who, while Secretary
OF State I'm 1853, announced that, "What
the United States want in Central Ameri-
ca next TO the happiness Of its people is
the security and neutrality OF the inter-
oceanic routes which lead through it,"
THE PACIFIC RAILWAYS.
The construction Of three transconti-
mental lines Of railway, all In successful
operation wholly within our territory, and
uniting the Atlantic and the Pacific
oceans, has been accompanied by results
OF a 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 neces-
sarily increase our interests in any trans
lsthmian route which may be opened and
employed for the ends OF peace and traffic
or in other contingencies for uses inimical
TO both.
Transportation Is factor in the cost OF
commodities scarcely second 70 that Of
their production, and weighs as heavily
upon the consumer. Our experience al
ready has proven ,1e great importance OF
having the competition between land
carriage and water carriage fully de-
Vel0ped, each actingas a protection TO the
public against the tendenciesto monopoly
which Is inherent In the consolidation Of
wealth and power Ia the hands OF vast