Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-12-21
THE IsTHMIAh CANAL.

THE ISTHMIAh CANAL.
The weiehtiest matter before the
today is the Isthmian Canal,
coupled as 1t is with perplexing ques-
lions Of International law. treaty
rights, business prospects, and tho al
most fabulous expenditure proposed.
The Hay-Pauncefote treaty Is re-
ceiving rude blows which greatly dis
figure Its former confines. and Will
be fortunate If indeed 1t does not yet
receive solar plexus, which will en-
tirely knock it out. Should such
visitation of Providence overtake 1t,
there would be rejoicing in the United
States both loud and deep. 1t Is only
since the recent publication OF tnis
proposed treaty that the public have
become awakened to it, enormity.
Heretofore the questions involved
were not 80 practical because the
building of canal was never SO seri-
ously contemplated IS now. But
since the election IL over and this
grave question has been brought face
to face with the people the latter have
studied this proposed treaty. and the
more they have studied it the more
nauseating it has become. because 1t
is thoroughly un-American. England
has sought for years to emasculate
the Monroe Doctrine, and the only way
that seems yet to have been open to
her has been by some treaty which
acknowledged her AZ having rights on
American soil not heretofore admit.
ted. The Clayton-Bulwer treaty wal
step in that direction, the Hay
Pauncefote treaty would be bold and
daring leap. It strikes the ordinary
American mind as strange that 1t svel
occurred to anybody on this side thai
anybody on the other side Of the At
lantic had anything more to do will
the building Of the proposed Isthmial
Canal by the United States, than tn
building Of the Chicago drainage ca
nal. But our Anglomaniacs. Of whicl
Mr.. Hay seems to be among the mos
prominent, have accorded to Englan'
| q position in tho Affairs on this side o
the globe she would not have though
of herself asserting, nor ever drsame
OF possessing, had not the covete
} fruit. like the apple In tho maiden
dream, at the moment she least o.
pected it, fell at her feet. II Amer
can money is to build this canal o
, American soil the nrst question q
American propounds IL What hi
: Europe got to do with itp" We q
not recall that England asked the col
sent of America whom the Suez can
was built, but the treaty adopted thu
Q between the powers constituted IL
8 line and basis upon which Mr.. Hs
= and Mr.. Pauncefots proceeded. II
!. paper does not seem to be a prodero
s document, nor does Mr.. Hay seem
y have pondsrsd seriously over 1t a.
b left out feature which was prom
nent in the Suez canal treaty, tow
the terrifying Of the canal. and II
n omission has been the means Of teI
Is ing tho quality of the aroma emen'
81 ing from the treaty in American nj
" trils. The experiment has not be
D. encouraging to the English, nor tn
is humble servants ON this side Of t
j. water. The treaty might have be
e more complex and apparently stat
manlike, but 1t is long enough to G.
vince the American mind that it
E. useless and humiliating, but the o.
=, growth of the adoption Of the Da
III amendment which was that the Uni
o. States could take necessary steps
10 it's own forces for the defense of
81 United States. the very clause inde
" which England saw 60 into the 81
NC canal treaty has put the Americ
w. mind to work and the treaty will
IL shaken from center to circumferen
40 If such a clause was right there ther
=. is right here, and 1t has been placed
~ the treaty and England will be oblil
& to agree to it or do without. Now
30 threatens us with another canal.