The sun., 1903-12-26
southern Senators Hear From Their
Constituents.

Events are showing that it is i'm
practicable to make the ratification Of
the Panama Canal Treaty party ques-
ton. The Southern States, which would
profit more than any other section of
the Union by the construction Of an
interoceanic waterway, will not permit
their vital interests to be sacrificed by
their representatives in the Senate.
This has been clear from the outset
to Mr.. JOHN S. WILLIAMS, the leader of
the Democratic minority in the House
of Representatives, who accordingly
has advised his political associates to
recognize accomplished facts. The same
lew of the attitude that ought to be
aiken toward the treaty has been ex-
pressed by influential newspapers in
Atlanta, New Orleans and other South
ern cities That these utterances re-
fected faithfully public opinion in Louis
lana. at all events, is evident from the
course pursued by the Louisiana Legis-
ature which, on the eve Of adjourn
ment, unanimously passed resolution
instructing Senator FOSTER and Senator
McENERY to vote for ratification.
There is good reason to believe that
Louisiana's example will be followed
promptly in other Southern States.
The Legislature of Mississippi will con-
vene early in the New Year, and 1t will
propably be found that Mr.. WILLIAMS
has indicated correctly the drift of poptl-
lar sentiment among his constituents.
The Legislatures of Kentucky and Mary
land will also meet in January. 1t is
quite possible that the leading merchants
of Louisville and Baltimore will impress
upon the Legislatures Of the States last
named the tremendous importance of
quick completion of the Panama Canal
TO their business interests.
What is thought of the matter in
Georgia may be inferred from the declara-
tion made on Dec. % by Gov. TERRELL
who, in response to the toast, "The
State said: With many things that
President ROOSEVELT has done, and,
indeed, with most of the acts of his
Administration, | differ; but / most
heartily indorse the recognition of the
Independence of Panama, which means
the construction Of an Isthmian Canal,
thing in which we. as Southerners, are
most deeply concerned" He added that
the ratification of the treaty is not, and
cannot be made, party question. we
want the canal he concluded, 'and We
are in fair way to get it; and il We do
not get it now it will be our own fault.
1t will be remembered that the caucus
resolution framed by Senator BLACK
BURN for the purpose OF compelling all
Democratic Senators to adopt the course
recommended by two-thirds Of their
number, expressly provided that the
will of the caucus should not be bind
ing upon Senators who were adversely
instructed by their State Legislatures.
In some instances Northern Senators
have declined to obey such instructions,
but such disobedience is inconsistent
with the traditional Southern view of
State Rights.
If Democrats could manage to thwart
the nations wish to accept the long
sought privilege of building an inter
oceanic canal, they would do the very
thing most likely to assure Mr.. RoosE-
vELT's nomination and election by an
immense majority, II, on the other
hand, Democratic Senators concur with
their Republican colleagues in ratifying
the Panama treaty, the Administration
will be unable to monepolize the credit
of furnishing the waterway.
The Louisiana Legislature has shown
how to avoid catastrophe