The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-17
The Nicnrnrun tnnnI.

so much doubt has enveloped the ques-
! lion OF national ability to overcome the in
/ iuence and money of the monopolistic in
I terests opposed to an American interoceanic
canal that the subject has been retained
I within the domain OF domestic politics, and
only now extends TO within the sphere OF
I international politics. because what has
( been regarded at home and abroad as re-
mote contingency suddenly is made an i'm
minent movement "aecompli'' by the pa
triotic action of the Interstate and Foreign
1 Commerce Committee of the House and Of
/ the Interoceanic Canals Committee OF the
/ Senate.
/ In other words. the nearly simultaneous
action OF these committees. wiping away
the fabric OF complication and delay care
/ fully woven by the trsnscontinental railway
combination under the shrerd management
of Thomas b. Reed. has paralyzed opposi-
ton. preclnded future obstruction under the
forms OF preliminary parliamentary proceed
ure, and apparently brought the country
and the world face to face with the triumph
of the canal as strictly national undertake
ing.
We ventured 10 say yesterday that il was
10 be hoped the President might be able
to sign the Nicaragua Canal bill on Wash
ington's Birthday, Thinking over that
idea, 1t grows upon us. The last year of
the nineteenth century is still in its swad-
ding clothes. yet in the few days that have
passed since the American people and the
pires presented themselves at the White
House to wish President Mckinley "a
happy New Year" great international
movement. involving recognition OF Ameri-
cas- new position as a leading world pow
er, has been accomplished. Through the
courage. craftsmanship, and foresight of
our Secretary OF State, the Hon John Hay.
we have been able to wrest from Europe
what Great Britain could not have done.
We have secured recognition and accept
ance of the principal that for peaceful
commerce the portal OF China shall be con-
sidered and protected as an open door A
greater diplomatic victory would be hard
TO find in the history of International rela-
lions since the Treaty of Peace with Eng
land that followed the Revolution.
Now it would delight us. and, doubt
less. every patriotic American to see added
to this achievement OF Mr.. McKinley's Ad-
ministration the enactment of the law nee
esssry to beginning of the work on the
Nicaragua Canal. 1t may be objected that
this is the expression OF a desire 10 see
victory perch upon the banners of the enc
my; that we are willing 10 let RepubIi-
can Administration win glory which would
endear it to the hearts of the people and
thereby postpone the day OF return OF
the Democratic party TO power. Such an
objection would be justified in some sense
This journal is American before IL is DEM
ocratic, and il has never consciously per-
mitted partisan considerations TO stand in
the way of patriotism. II President Me
Kinley can fairly earn the affection of the
people by acts which they will acclaim as
contributOry to the interests, honor, and
progress OF the Union, he is entitled 10
all he can gain in that way. II he can.
by the grandeur OF his policy and the equity
of his future conduct wipe out the MEM
DRY OF Algerism, Eaganism, and otisism,
and have the grace to turn at the last mo-
rnent from countenanee OF SamDsonism,
he should have all credit and respect for
his course. Under the national control Of
a united and consistent Democracy, preach
ing and practicing the pure expansive Cos
pei of Jefferson, jackson, and Polk, and
true 10 American conceptions and theories
Of economics, finance, and fiscal policy, we
are bound to believe that the United States
would be better off than under a regime
but too open TO the suspicion OF domination
by trusts and monopolies, and VIGOROUSLY
false 10 the pledges respecting bimetallism
and civil service reform under and by vir- |
tue OF which it rode into Office On the |
other hand, as between a government rep
resenting the views and pedo- American
ism of persons like Pettigrew. Mason. and |
Hoar, with their minority Democratic imi- |
tators and satellites; and virile Ameri |
can Administration, By whatever name |