The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-31

Mr.. Cleveland Discusses the Nicara-
qua Canal.

qua Canal.
New York, March S1.-Former Presi-
dent Cleveland in an interview with the |
correspondent of the Herald at Prince
ton. n. J., last night, said:
I have always been an enthusiastic
supporter of the furtherment of the
construction of the canal. My position
has not changed since my reference to
it in my first message, which has been
recently quoted to a large extent. ap-
preciate more than 1 can express the
Importance of the project of the Near
aqua canal I am most heartily in IA
vor Of its contamination.
ANY right minded man should have
no hesitation whatever in coming out
strong on the side of Mr.. Hay. 1t seems
to me that the only debatable questions
are the details relating to the consum-
nation of the canal, the subsequent
management and the general policy Of
the nations.
ITO me it is more agreeable and at
tractlVe sentiment that the United
States should occupy the unique posi-
ton among the nations of the earth of
being the altruistic and unselfish broth
er of all countries. 1t is especially fit
ting, in view of the ideals upon which
our government was founded that the
whole position of the administration
should be that the canal is in the nature
of a gift to the world and contribu-
ton to advancing civilization"
Mr.. Cleveland said that he stood upon
the doctrine of the German philosopher
Hegel-that of unselfishness and even
handed justice to all. even to the low
est.
Our nation" he said, ''is not to be
either a land grabber or a money grab
Der. Our deal must be to bring about a
| higher development of the human race.
| The opening of the canal to all nations
! could not help but diffuse a spirit of
| unSelhShnesS abroad over the world,
! along with the commercial expansion,
hoo Il r1fo 81
| truism would be diffused from this
| great country as the light from sun
| in it's celestial system.
! I wish to emphasize this point. I
| understand the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
| to be modelled in accordance with the
| general idea of absolute and unalter-
/ able naturalization, which is beyond all
/ question essential to the contamination
| of this great project ana that concomit-
i ant of civilization. The United States
must insist on policy of disarmament.
| There must be no Notifications. Every
| thing must be along the lines of uni
| versal peace.
Our nation must better its political
life Unless that commercialism which
is rampant in American politics at this
! hour is very soon checked, and crushed
under foot, the future will wrap the
| coils of darkness around our cherished
! life, and we will settle down to the
same dwarfed standards common among
| the imperial nations of the past before
! absolute disintegratiOn occurred
What is urging on the United States
| at this moment to the possession of new
| lands but the grasping spirit for eco
nomic pIunder-the curse of every ma
! ton which has gone down to the yawn-
! ing gaps of oblivion? Therefore I am
in favor of the ratification of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, the construction of
| the canal and its maintenance as a free
| highway to all the nations.
1.-The views I held in 1888 and gave
| forth in my message to congress on
| free trade are in principle what I be-
| lieve at this time. The same larger
| political expansive and abundant ma
tional life swept through those prin-
ciples which 1 believe ought to be pro-
/ claimed today in even more clarion
/ tones. America is the flower garden of
the world to SWeeten with the watts
| carried from our shores the dreariest,
enough in the way of benefits to go
! around the globe. Like the five loaVeS
and two fishes of the worlds greatest
/ Teacher am convinced the nation that
| cOnferS benefits grows larger when this
| giving is done with intelligent direction.
"Of course I do not think the way of
| peace can always be secured by peace
| full, easy methods. I detest the fam
boyant methods of the war party of
| any nation but have as great a dis
gust for the Mandy pamby dwarfs who
are afraid to face the lion of war when
that war is just. A nation like Vene-
zuela, for instance, ought to have the
support of a stronger country when the
| righteous cause of the weaker is i'm
| periled and their liberty is endangered
by the unjust assaults of a greater and
! tyrannical power"
Mr. Cleveland has prepared his two
speeches on Public Times to be deliv-
cred on the evenings of April and 10.
He will probably touch on the Porto
Rican and Philippine questions.
/