Morning journal and courier., 1892-12-01

Figures.
J. ENTERPRISE OF COMMERCE..
Nicaraguan Canal Convention-Every
State in the Union Represented
Governor Fosters Speech-A Direct
Avenue to the Wealth of the East
Diplomatic Aspects - Thoroughly
National Character OF the Great Un-
dertaking.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 30.-The Nicara.
guam canal convention met this forenoon
in Odd Fellows hall, with delegates pres
emit from every state and territory in the
Union. The hall was decorated with Mic
araguan flags and the standards of the
forty-four states. When the convention
was opened George L. Converse, president
of the convention, took his seat with Gov
| ernor Foster of Louisiana, Governor Flem-
| ing of Florida and Governor Kenney of
Virginia. The proceedings were begun by
the playing of "Hail Columbia" and a new
air dedicated to Nicaragua. President
Odendahl of the New Orleans board of
trade, made a speech of welcome, after
which DR.. Palmer, the distinguished south
ern preacher, offered prayer.
Then City Attorney O'Sullivan welcomed
the delegates on behalf of the mayor. He
declared that not one scrap of paper show
ing any interest in the Nicaragua canal
should be allowed to go beyond the limits
of the United States, and no European
power should be able to have the least
voice in its control. Imagine any Euro
pean government stopping our ships in the
event of war and declaring that we could
not pass unless we paid tribute.
Governor Fosters speech followed. He
is one of the most conservative men in the
state and has refused, up to the present
time, to express any opinion upon the
project. sit gives me peculiar pleasure"
said the governor, "to know that in this hall
is represented the northern patriotic states
manship of this country, and the delibera-
tons of this body ought to carry force and
earnestness to the mind of the whole coun-
try. The question of an interoceauic
canal ACROSS the isthmus is no longer a
problemstio question. Its feasibility and
utility are now acknowledged everywhere.
The governor read the opinions of Presid-
ents Grant, Harrison and Cleveland. Mr..
Cleveland was mildly applauded. By whom
should this canal be controlled By Am
orleans. Who will build and con-
trola Americans. The enterprise of
American commerce will never
let this opportunity slip from
their grasp. Will this canal be protected?
Certainly it will. We are living in COM
meroial age. If America does not build
canal across this isthmus we may rest as
sured that the demands of commerce will
build it, even if foreign power has to do
1t. Right within our sight lies the wealth
OLf
islands of the Pacific. But this is not
local or southern enterprise. 1t touches
every section of the country. ALI the
honors, all the glory is that surrounding
flag in peace and in war belong to us COM
monty.
Mr.. Converse, responding to Governor
Fosters speech, referred to the tremend-
GUS growth of the United States and its
all-embracing produotiveness. This giant,
born and reared in the middle of New Or
leans, he said, must have room to reach its
arms out to India and the Orient. Our
miesion is peace and we must have this
inter-oceanic ship canal. We of the north
have our interests with you of the south,
not only in commerce, but in the defence
of the country. With this canal thirty
ships of war would be worth one hundred.
It is necessary for the defense of the union
and it will assist this Christian country to
extend Its influence to the direct coast of
South America and to the far east. This
seems to be the destiny of America.
After recess Judge John B. Jones made
speech on the diplomatic aspects of the
responsibility which it is proposed to put
on the federal government. This speech
was intended to some extent as an answer
to the criticisms of southern democrats.
Judge Jones said:
"The Nicaragua canal will affect the
productive and industrial interests of this
country more than any problem that can
come before the American people for the
next century. The past few years have
Witnessed large overproductions in agri-
culture. While our system of protection
tural products in foreign markets, it has
not been the chief cause of depression.
Our soil produces more than we can con-
sumo, and more than can be consumed in
the markets we can now reach. We
have reached the limit of our prosperity
in mere home markets. Nations rise in
commercial greatness as the lines of
transportation give them control of the
markets of the world. The oriental and
Asiatio countries have more than eight
hundred million people. The markets of
these people have been the basis of COM
mercial wealth in Europe for more than
ten centuries. The Nicaragua canal will
give us the advantage of Europe in these
and Australian markets.
The great results to follow the con-
struction of the canal are not questioned
| even by those who oppose the senate bill.
| The opposition In the senate was based
mainly on the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
| There is no proposition now to interfere
with single engagement entered into that
| treaty. If this government should take
stock in the company along with the other
| investors, so far as Great Britain
is concerned, the investment would stand
on the same footing as that of private
investors. This government has al
ways maintained that Great Britain
violated the treaty as soon as made and has
disregarded its terms ever since. To avoid
war should this government heed q
/ ground1eEs claim made by Great Britain
and let this nation drift into q condition
compared with which war would be bless
inga Judge Jones argued that congress
had power under the constitution to ap-
propriate the money needed to give this
government control of the canal. He said
that If the government ever obtains
control of the canal it must be
done by contract with this company.
He understood the company was willing to
give to the government control of the
stock of the company on any fair and
equitable terms. If this canal be con-
structed under government control 1t will
| cost less and be stocked and bonded and
commerce taxed with tolls only on the
cost. If constructed by private company
it will be stocked and bonded at several
times its cost, and commerce may be Grip
pied by burdensome tolls. The objects to
be obtained are so thoroughly national in
character that the government cannot af,
ford to allow the canal to be constructed
by private company.
. Work OF the Law and Order League
Il BRIDGEPORT, Nov. 30.-The police to
night raided Eve houses of ill-fame, capt
uring twenty-four persons. The raid wa
: the work of the Law and Order league
which has had two spoilers working for
, | week. The following houses wer
|. visited: James Jacques, Waite
{ street; George Aliens, Gilber
street; Margaret Connor's, Unio1
street; Samuel Chase's, Middle street; Per
! rims, Burr road. The proprietors furnishe,
: bonds for all of the prisoners. The cit
treasury benefited 81 500 by the raid