New-York tribune., 1902-01-20
A DEFENCE OF SENATOR MORGAN.
HIS ACTION IN BEHALF OF THE MICA
RAGUA ROUTE IS PATRIOTIC, SAYS
CORRESPONDENT
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Your Washington correspondent, under date
OF the 18th inst. refers to the advocates of the
Nicaragua route impatient" OF all adjectives
this is the least applicable who after thirty
years of deep study have finally concluded that
Nicaragua is the only feasible place for canal
Prior 10 1873 every line from Tehuantepec to
Atrato was examined by naval expeditions, with
the result that all eliminated except Panama
and Nicaragua If the nation appreciates its navy
IL must know that the service was accurate then
with level and transit it is to-day with gun and
aim When General Grants commission decided
that Nicaragua better than Panama il was
confidently expected to begin work there at once
The death Of that most patient man prevented but
his associates had absorbed some little of his ca
pacity Of making haste slowly
Critics again advanced objections to the ron+a
They We're met by new faith in the enterprise and
by a series Of perfected plans involving about
100000 contributed by over one thousand Amert-
cans, who, placing two thousand men in the field
eliminated every preceding objection Lessons
meanwhile adding his testimony that II a lock
canal was to be built Nicaragua was the place
for it. Is 1t strange that now, after the French
have spent over 500 000 000 with less practical re-
suit than the small comparative sum expended AT
Nicaragua, forbearance should cease? In this con.
nectlon 1t may be unnecessary to reiterate her
that the proposed Panama scheme is to be a iock
canal. with an artificial lake eghty-ye feet abov<
the sea level. but intelligent peopIe have IateI,
~|Hted that such was their impression And this
Notwithstanding the volume of reports on the 18TH
InCS' AFoIVlng Inc labor of years 1t would there
fore seem essential, even this late date to in
struct the public concerning the primary distinc-
tive features OF the two lines. Those patriotic citt
zens who wish to see a right choice should send to
Washington for government Documents ana ava,o
inc them in detail. ~ ~
Biding their time the Nicaragua 'advoca+as,
knew that there would eventually be a revival oP
the merchant marine, demanding a free passage
between the two oceans and at the nearest availa-
bic point the United States they foresa% some
possible war-say, in lS9S-when an Oregon in the
Pacific, might be quickly needed near a West
Indian port and that when that time canal
would be 'impatiently' demanded.
Our representatives In Congress have long been
conVersant with all the facts; numerous debates
during many sessions. have led up 10 the right de-
cision as formulated In the House last week Why
should Americans deem its members intoIerant for
not taking up discredited scheme? A though htful
press should give them credit for at least endeay-
oring to protect the nation from the foreign COM
plcations now threatening 1t.
If Senator Morgan is becoming restless or even
dscourteous. his persistence as a Democrat I'm
standing with Republicans in all measures tending
TO develop our sea power should receive the recog-
interests deserves. The nsinuation that he NAV be
working in the interest of any company is alike
unworthy OF his record and of corporation which,
his patriotic suggestion, is record in the In
terror Department being ready to leave all
claims for compensation TO the justice OF the
American people
The crux Of your correspondents article is con-
tanned IN his final paragraph: ut still is the
era belief however, in the best Informed circles
Washington that definite final action will be
taken at this session" Permit me TO differ with
him as TO his definition of the best Informed cir
cles." The people who have found time study
all routes know that Nicaragua Is the best If mo
definite final action is taken at this session. It
will be because certain selfish interests wish
Can It? Patience has ceased TO be a virtue
NewYork. Jan. 16 1902 ]. w NJ