Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-29
Tho Nicaraqua Canal Bill.

We have advocated In season ana OUT
Of season the bill before Congress pro
yiding that the government OF the Nhi'o"
States shall lend its strong assistance 10
the support OF the Nicaragua canal
! scheme. On Friday last that Dill WAS
passed in the Senate by the large ma
iority of 81 to 2l-almost exactly throe
nfths of the senators casting their N"'eS
in the affirmative. The majority n n
vor of the bill was not so large as we hdu
boped IL would be, though much larger
we suppose. than the opponents OF the
hill had expected ii to be. We take II
for granted that a number OF the benio-
cratic senators voted against the pni'
not because they did not desire the Mica
rac,Ia canal TO be finished and opened 10
the commerce of world now await
ing anxiously its completion but because
uev stiu adhere to the old Democratic
teaching that the Federal Constitution
ought to be rigidly construed ana no
mowers exercised hy Congress which That
instrument does not clearly grant to mat
body.
We have stated the provisions OF the
bin as It passed the Senate. We cannot
say. however. although it passed In that
body by so large n majority, that It's
prospects in the House OF Representa-
tiycs are very bright. Not that we nave
any conclusive reason for expecting the
bin 10 fare worse in the lower house than
in the upper. but because we fear that
the fact that a majority Of the Demo-
cratic senators voted against the bill
may indicate that majority OF the
Democrats in the lower house may vote
AGAINST II. and. if they do. that their vote
Will Kill il. so large is the Democratic
majority IN this latter body.
II IS clear that the Democrats cannot
make a party question out Of the Mica
ragua canal scheme, though a few Of their
leaders would be willing to do it, Hon.
Chauncoy +. Black. Of Pennsylvania.
made a speech on the subject In Raleigh,
y. c.. last September. in which he OK
claimed, Let no man so to Congress
from the South who is not in favor of
the Nicaragua canal. Let no man solicit
YOUR votes I'm national convention for n
presidential nomination who has not de-
claIeI himself for the American canal"
american canal is good. 1t is, h. said,
the only practicable route for snip ca
nal between the Atlantic and the Pa
cine. There the mountains sink TO an
elevation which is simply trining."
As to the power Of Congress MIR. Black
spoke feelingly. lie declared that no
possible gain in wealth, or power or
splcndor would. in his opinion, justify the
assumption OF single ungranted power.
But" said he. III We have the risht
to hold and defend our Pacific States,
We have clear right to construct this
canal for the purpose Of doubling the
efficiency Of our fleets" ''If we have a
right to our country at all, we have a
right TO guard it by every means which
God and nature have put into our
hands"
The House Of Representatives has a
method Of its own OF closing debate II
the canal scheme were a measure which
the Democratic party as a party desired
to pass. there would be no difficulty in
getting it through the House Of Repre-
sentatives. But it is not a party mea-
sure, and so must stand the test OF a
non-partisan vote In the lower house as
il stood that test in the upper house. The
bill is in good hands. at any rate.