Sunday morning globe., 1901-12-01

CluslVely American canal, regardless OF
all impertinent threats of intermeddl-
ing or Intervention on the part of any
European or other old-world power.
Frequently has the question been
asked, as to which OF the two gigan-
tic enterprises, the projected intercon-
unental railway or the proposed inter-
oceanic canal, will probably prove to
be Of the greater worth and advantage.
AS intelligently, or somewhat less In
tellisently, might the question be pro-
pounded, which is the longer and the
broader and the more largely and in
cessantly beneficial to the world. the
MISSISSIPPI river Of continent, or the
mere COW creek OF a county? -
! While both the road and the canal
are eminently worthy Of our favorable
consideration and our immediate and
most efficacious endeavors. and in a
manner absolutely indispensable TO the
| general greatness and grandeur Of our
! Wealth-creating and splendor.fostering
FAMILY OF American republics, yet can
| put regard the road in its entirety, for
America and Americans, as at least a
thousand times more Worthful and
more important.
Lack Of space and insufiiciency Of
time alone prevent me from here as
signing the numerous and various rea-
sons, all sound and incontestable.
which completely fortify and sustain
me In the impregnable position thus
rightfully assumed.
Robust and well.regulated thoughts
and actions in ties glorious days OF
Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-American
achievements OF strihngly utilitarlan
and expedlentaDd stupendous undertak-
ings, are always in close alliance with
Shakespearian and Baconian and JEFF
fersonian and Emersonian wisdom, as
likewise with the standard ways OF
wisdom Of the whole world, on the
right hand; while measurably imprud-
ent and dashing departures from ordin-
ary methods are but too often char
acteristic Of the aberrant genius Of
Poe or the unwary yet (more for pub
lie advantage than for private gain)
wholesome indiscretions of Schuyler
Colfax and Oakes Ames, on the left
hand; the undisciplined impulses and
manoeuvers OF these last-named gentle
men being, by way OF contrast and
cleverness OF expression and practice,
of much inferior prOfundty and virtue
and honor, and therefore far less
praiseworthy within the comely scope
of brilliant and beneficial careers his
torical.
In what Is meant to be perfectly re-
spectful and highly complimentary al
fusion to your eXcellency, it may, I
think, be fltly remarked that an elderly
head on youthful shoulders is (as the
said head well knows) never too
old to learn. Although I have no ex-
pectation Of ever hearing Of your ex-
.celelncy'5 beatiflcation as a worshipful
saint this side Of heaven. yet barring
occasional and comparatively immater-
ial fantasies and slight Irregularities
or procedure, my faith Is full and
strong and steadfast in your large
Drained capacity your comprehensive
foresight, your energy your vigilance,
your intrepidity, your Americanism and
your salutary and straightforward
statesmanship-
On the 30th ultimo, in the CITY OF
Mexico, where auspicously for the
Strengthening Of friendly ties. and the
extension Of closer commercial reIa.
tions between the United States and
all the republics Of Latin.America. the
Pan-American conference is now i'm ses-
sion, the momentously important mat
ter here specifically mentioned the
proposed international and intercon-
tinental railway through the three
Americas, was referred to a committee
or nine learend and able and distin-
guished delegates. who will doubtless.
IN due ume, in the very nature and
ntness or things, indorse and urge the
measure with a liberal share Of the
superior wisdom and patriotism which
are now so conspicuously and per-
manently characteristic Of American
statesmanship: whether in North
America, in Central America, or in
South America.
The intercontinental and uneuualed
railway thus indicated will run the en-
tire distance from Behrlng Strait to
the Straits Of Magellan; and according
to natures requirements Of construc-
tion, It will attain a total length Of
about 10000 miles.
The entire weight Of the elaborate
and official and sustaining literature.
now in our National Library. on Cant
tol HILL and partly in other leading
libraries throughout the United States.
on the pre-eminently sunerior subject
OF the projected international and in
tercontinental railway through the
three Americas, Is upward Of forty
pounds avoirdupois; and to this pond
erous mass OF priceless matter addi-
tional documents, OF a kindred nature.
are constantly undergoing careful and
prudent preparation with the most
.essentialfeatures OF these bulky and in
structiye volumes, your excellencv will.
I trust, find sufficient time to become
adequately familiar.
Though OF a different nature. this
widespreading and commercial and pa.
trtotic and civilizing work. as n whole
Will be for the United States approxi-
mately as great and grand as was the
Louisiana Purchase; while the aggre-
gate OF value and exaltation for all the
other American republics will even sur
pass that aggrandizing and magnificent
achievement by Jefferson and living
ston and Monroe, at Paris, in marvel
ously successful diplomacy and treaty
there. nearly one hurdred years ago
with Marbois and Tallevrand and Ma