New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-28
SEWARD ON THE CANAL TREATY
HIS PERCEPTION OF WHAT THE cLAvro,,
BULwER CONVENTION MEANT

HIS PERCEPTION OF WHAT THE CLAYTON.
BULwER CONVENTION MEANT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir II there ever was a Senator with ~.
true genius OF craftsmanship It was William
H. Seward In contrast with the petty ut
terances that now assaiI the ear. let me quota
his broadmlnded words in 1856:
The first universal fact-a fact indicating An
ultimate union Of the nations-was the CLAYTON
Buwer Treaty; that treaty which provIda5
for the opening Of passages Of communication
and connection across the Central American
isthmus and between the growing, civiIizsfio-t
of the Western and modern and the declining
civilization Of the Eastern and ancient worlds
1t was the felicitOus good OF John VI Clayton
not more than his genius and ability, that en-
abled him to link his own fame with that great
and stupendous transaction. and so win for him
self the gratitude OF future generations, not only
In his country but throughout the great
divisions OF the earth
Whatever difficulties have hitherto attended
the execution Of that great treaty, whatever
future difficulties attend IL. the treaty ia
the bow of promise Of peace, harmony and con-
cord to all nations. as It IS an imperishabIs
celebrate and whose loss we deplore.
These are the wise views Of a statesman OF
the highest order; let the pygnies OF to-day
profit by them.
In sending the treaty in question TO the Sen
ate for its constitutional advice and assem-,
President Taylor said:
Should this treaty be ratified it viii secure IN
future the liberation Of all Central America
from any kind Of foreign aggression
At the time negotiations were opened with
Nicaragua for the construction OF canal
through her territory | found Great Britain in
possession of nearly half of Central America, as
the ally and protector Of the Mosquito king. II
has been my object in negotiating this treaty
not only to secure the passage across the 18th
mus TO the Government and citizens Of the
United States by the construction Of a great
highway dedicated 10 the Of all nations on
equal terms. but 10 maintain the independence
and sovereignty of all the Central American re-
publics. The Senate Will judge how far these
objects have been attained.
And the Senate did judge, and by an over
whelming vote sustained President Taylor. Mr..
Clayton and their great treaty. The Senate OF
that day was full of giants, among them Web
ster. Clay. Cass Benton. Davis and Douglas.
Have we any such group to-day?
Those who wish accurate knowledge OF the
treaty question should study the great debate IN
the Senate in 1853. In that debate in the first
rank Of the first raters" who participated IN
the battle. was John NJ. Clayton Lack OF space
forbids detail. But Senator Clayton COnClustvely
showed that that treaty the first legal
enactment based upon the Monroe Doctrine.
Prior to that treaty sundry more or less vague
utterances had been made IN favor OF that doc
trine, but no law had been approved. no treaty
ratified to that effect
That treaty. with all the force OF law, gave
notice to the world-a notice all the more clear
Iy understood and recognized because not Ut
tered with rudeness-that the United States and
Great Britain were at one in their common re-
solve 10 frown upon European interference with
American governments. Unquestionably. Mr..
Hay is familiar with the history Of the Clayton
Buwer Treaty and the debates upon it IN
questionably. he understood the lofty ideal OF
his great predecessor. and wisely sought not to
abrogate that instrument, but TO modify It so
as to meet the conditions, so different now from
what they were fifty years ago
When the clamor of those who hate England
those who love the transcontinental railways too
much those who would do anything, foolish or
wicked to defeat the Administration. and those
who run up and down the land like madmen
seeking for ad captandum issues. shall sink into
oblivion. the calr-eyed, statesmanlike citizens
of all parties will esteem with profound respect
the two American diplomats whose names are
forever most honorably associated with the two
canal treaties.
JOSEPH CULBERTSON CLAYTON