Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-01-11

Time Is a good instructor as to the acts
and motives of men. Its the only author.
itativ. Interpreter of the meaning OF events
and what constitutes the real basis Of the
fame OF Wise and patriotic statesmen,
Important facts and valuable lessons in
American history prove this beyond doubt
or debate. When a. the Secretary of State
under Abraham Lincoln, WILLIAM H..
SEWARD gave the force OF his large ex-
perience, of his commanding name, and
great abilities to the acquisition of the
Russian American possessions on the Ps-
cifc to the ownership and political con-
troll of the United States, there was loud
cutlery of disapproval on the part of many
Republican supporters - wella the polit-
ical opponents of the National Admins
tration OF that time. Honest Statesmen Of
limited vision, narrow minded and petty
politicians, newspaper editors by the
thousand who srrogated to themselves
superior wisdom In our foreign affairs,
and large numbers OF the ex-
cellent people of the land, said the
"sage Of Auburn" was a dreamer and an
enthusiast. and had induced the Govern
ment to make = foolish bargain with the
cunning agents Of the Car, and that
$4,000 were to be paid out of the Ma
tioual Treasury for a worthless piece of
property. Very much the same kind OF
talk was had when President Thomas
jefferson gave his great influence for the
purchase of Louisiana. But time has
amply vindicated the action Of Seward.
Lincoln, and Sumner In regard to Alaska,
as IL had long before vindicsted the con-
duct of Jefferson in the n, qui.ition of the
vast. rich territory of Louisiana. Not a
decade has passed since Gar fields Admin
istratiou took a decided stand as to Ameri-
can interests anu rights at Panama. Sec
rotary Rlaine's note to foreign Govern
ments was but clear, calm, firm state
meut of what the future interests and
necessities of the United States impers-
lively require. Against these went up
much the same dissent from American
newspapers and short-sighted politicians
rs was manifested when the Louisiana
question was up, the Monroe doctrine
was hrst svowed, and the great and vslu-
able domain of Alaska WAS acquired.
Yet, now there has Just passed through
the United States Senate, by . nearly
unanimous vote, the following resolutions
offered BY Senator Edmuuos Of Vermont,
public man of welI-known cautious and
considerable views:
Resoired by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentafires Of the United States Of Am<,Ica
IN Congress Assew5ied:
That the Government of the United States
will look with serious concern and disap-
prevail upon any connection of any Europe an
Government with the construction or con
troll Of any ship canal across the Isthmus of
Darien. or scross Central America. and
must regard any such connectio or control
~ injurious to the just rights and interests
Of the United States and a. . menace to their
welfare.
That the President be. and he 10 hereby
requested to communicate this expression of
the views of the Government Of the United
States to the governments of the countries
of Europe.
The vote OF the Senators WAS 20 In favor
of these resolutions and 3 opposed. The
three nays were Blackburn Of Kentucky,
Hampton of South Carolina, and Vance of
North Carolina. Verify, time and the
sober second thought Of men are the vim
dicators Of real statesmen.