The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-04
He Thinks That the Passage OF the
Nicaraguan Canal Bill
Would Effectually Work to tho Ad-
vantage of Both Sections,
Even in the Event Of War With
Foreign Powers
War Would Only Heal the Wounds OF
the Late Civil War and Would
Strengthen the Union-Gen-
eral Washington News.
Special Dispatch to The Apncal.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The bill granting
a charter to the Nicaragua Canal Company
will come up for disposition tomorrow in
the House. The previous question has al
ready been ordered upon 1t and no further
distractions can be put in the way Of a
direct vote. 1t is expected that the bill
will pass with less than fifty dissenting
votes.
Tho Cong essional Record OF this morn
ing contains in full an interesting speech
made by Gen. Oates Of Alabama, ON this
subject on the day Of the adjournment for
the holidays in which that gentleman
states what he believes to DO the
only way in which to eradicate sec
tionalism. After, in response TO Mr..
Breckinridge, Of Arkansas, giving it
rs his opinion that Congress
has the power to grant the required char
ter, he went on to speak Of the CONNER
cial importance Of the canal, showing that
IT would save in distance II 900 miles be-
tween New Orleans and San Francisco,
and 10000 miles between New York and
San Francisco. lie took issue with Mr..
Herbert, his colleague from Alabama, who
thought that the passage OF the bill would
involve the country, not only in heavy
outlay, but in all probability in a war
with some other nation. Gen. Oates con-
tended that II was the duty Of the United
States TO protect the persons and property
Of their citizens wherever they may be,
and while he would not welcome war at
any time, he was not sure tnat our involve
ment in u foreign war would DO Of any
great or serious detriment to the interests
OF the country.
al believe" continued he, at would
have one beneficial effect at least, and am
somewhat apprchensiye that nothing else
will ever completely accomplish that--l
mean the eradication of sectionalism in
this country. believe that sectional di-
vision, sectional feeling, and even hatred
is stronger in this country today than IL
has been ut any time In the last fifteen
years Organizations OF soldiers and the
sons OF veterans marched rs such organi-
cations under political banners in the late
campaign. Political parties are essential
10 give expression TO and enforce
the policy OF the majority, but there
arc questions which risc in import.
ance lar above that OF the prcdominancc
Of any political party, and ono OF these is
that OF sectional luminosity and prejudice.
The cultivation OF the bitter memories OF
the war IA tho one thing which today.
above every other, appeals 10 palriotic
hearts North aud south TO unite Ia putting
IL down and surviving TO disseminate fra
iernal and patriotic feeling throughout the
Union. Let the white men OF America
q
but be one universal brotherhood. lot
Southern men no longer snecr at the do.
spised Yankee, and Northern men cease TO
point 10 the scars OF rcbcls' ns dishonor-
able memcntocs Of "a foul conspiracy aud
the crime Of rebellion" Such a handy.
ing OF epithets like grievOus works
stir up anger and will mako the young
men of the South love those OF
the North like the French inhabil-
ants OF Alsace aud Lorraine lOvo
the Gcrmans, or as the Catholic Irish
love the English; aud the young men Of
the North undor such tutelage will mani-
fest toward those oi tho South the same
feeling Of superiority which the English
Tory manifcsls for the Catholic Irish.
When craftsmanship and a lofty manhood
mite In magnanimiIy 10 fallen ioo they
never iail 10 inspire respect and confidence
which soon ripcns into sincere affection.
"a war With foreign power would heal
all wounds, turn attention 10 the later eX-
hibiiions oi hcroism aud triumphs Of the
arms OF the nation and restore fratornal
feeling FROM the CanadAs 10 the Gull. "
lie cOnclGded by expressing his opinion
that the situation Of the United States re-
lieves them from all the complications of
European nations, aud that with our
numerical strength and exhaustloos inter-
nal resources absolutely cxempts Ms from
even remote probability OF war, aud the
construction would give cause iof rejoicing
rather than wm.