Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-01-16
The Panama Canal.


The Panama Canal.
The present time is seemingly unpro-
pitious for the early completion OF the
Panama Canal. Nevertheless, it is not the
only case in history in which the darkest
day preceded the brightest. The misfor-
tunes of de Lesseps reveal the great old
man in splendid proportions before his
.countrymen who do not intend that he
shall ultimately fail.
Commerce ard AID practical statteessR,a pshir
have and will settle in a beneficial way to
all nations much that was suspended
through complications to be worked out
afterwards under theories. When de Los
seps importnned the moneyed and COM
mercial power of the United States through
their greatest organizations as New York
represented the central sources of influence,
to unite with him, leading his countrymen
in the purpose of connecting two Oceans by
cutting channel through the IsthmHs of
Central America, it was superior illus
tration of attachments and the interests
between his and our country commenced in
the days of the suffering, struggling colo
MES. The proposition was received with
proper respect, and its consideration COM
menced under favorable auspices. Tho
concentrated ability, as represented in
money and commercial progress, sent their
Commissioner to Panama with unlimited
authority to investigate and recommend in
his report the policy to be pursued by that
representative body of the resources OF
wealth and progress of the country. The
investigation was made, thorough and
complete, and under the circumstances,
the report was all that could be desired by
men who felt great responsibility resting
upon them in view of the future interests
of the commerce of the country. The
report was, however, laid aside and then
occupation of stock speculation. Whatever
of enterprise existed in the country, and to
which the moral support of the govern
meut, if no more, should have been willing
ly conceded, was suffered to die out so far
as the Panama sea-level route was con-
cerned, to be substituted by the larger line
and complicated Nicarauga scheme.
The American support asked for was not
given, but the French people encouraged
their eminent countryman with more aid,
but which was not sufficient, and now the
IF hot 10 Eo riy,rr
to the full consideration of the problem,
and it only requires some concerted efforts
to cause it to sustain the scheme in resour-
ces sufficient for its completion. At this
stage of its progress, it is proposed that
our government shall object to the active
participation of the French government in
this affair. This is to maintain the Mon
roe doctrine. Will that violate the Mon
roe doctrine? If so, has it not been al
ready done through organized French
capital and French interests for if a pre-
text is wanted to authorize the French
government to interfere in an impartial and
just administration of it's affairs, the fact
that it is owned by citizens of France would
avail for that purpose just as much as if a
government directory controlled. If it is
no violation of the Monroe doctrine to allow
the Canadian Pacific railroad, owned really
by the British government, to absorb other
lines within and chartered under laws of q
State in the Unios, where is the violation
of it in either the French people or their
government becoming shareholders 10 the
Panama Canal Company which holds a
charter that contains nothing in violation
of the Monroe doctrine.
The controlling interests of commerce
will always guard the Panama Canal,
which virtually becomes part of tie high
seas. The more the channel is employed,
the greater its security for the simple pur-
pose of its construction. Our country
should be deeply interested il its compile
ton, for to none other will its benefits be
so great.
AS a commencement of its benefits to
the United States, the lowest estimate
placed upon the first years operation
amount to the passage of three thousand
ships, carrying three million, five hundred
thousand tons of merchandise. The esti-
mate of benefit to the United States stands
first, England second, and France third.
The Gulf and Atlantic Coast States
would be the principal beneiciaries in the
longitudinal traffic that would then receive
a. most powerful aid. The longitudinal
railroads would then realize new sources of
income as they would carry new COM
merce not before known in our country ex-
cept in small way through limited num-
Der of ships trading along the coast to the
West midas.
These are few, and only few, of the
practical questions which will enlarge
greatly the interests of our country through
the completion of the Panama Canal that
cannot be controlled for any other than the
great purposes for which it will be con-
structed.
MALONE DELEGATION VISIT HARRISON.
Last week delegation of Mahoneites
visited Harrison to induce him to put Ma
hone in his Cabinet. 1t consisted of Judge
Waddil, chairman, and Messrs. Brown
Allen, Asa Rogers, State Senator Gree, ex-
collector of internal revenue Craig, ex post
masters Windsor of Alexandria and Lind
say of Portsmouth, ex collector of the New
port News customs district Clay, and
Maccrei Proffat Diokinaon Ouans Rarka
ley, Zirkle, Webb, Broyles, Brown, Nc
Caull and Newman. They wrote letter to
Mr. Harrison asking if he would grant them