New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
PANAMA PRECEDENTS.
Lao Of Humanity Justifes Action
of President.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor of The Tribune
Sir when Thomas Jefferson made the
supreme stroke in 1903 which doubled the area
OF the United States and laid broad the founda-
tiohs OF our present empire-republic, he de-
clared his firm belief that he possessed no con-
sututional authority whatever to purchase the
Louisiana Territory. But so strong was his
conviction that the interests of the United States
| and of civilization. present and future made it
his imperative duty TO secure this vast expan-
sion or the limits of the young republic, that he
rose above the Constitution and bought Louis-
| ana. That act if the only good one of his life.
though denounced by many of his contem-
poraries as shameless usurpation of power and
absolutely without Justification would have i'm
mortalized him and entitled him to the profound
gratitude, not only of the tens of millions of in
haoitants that now occupy the vast breadth OF
heio bought from Napoleon. but of the tens OF
millions OF those who occupy the original States
| OF the Union and who glory in the magnificent
growth and development of that purchase.
When William Mckinley waged war against
spain, freed Cuba and seized the Philippines and
Porto Rico he had not even the color of Con-
Stltution or law, national international, to up
hold proceeding so essentially defiant of the
rules and regulations of nations. II was practi-
cally simple assumption OF despotic power,
And yet he was sustained by the unanimous
voice or both houses of Congress when ne asked
Tor $5oOOOOcO for preliminary expenditures.
He was backed by the solid body of the people
OF this nation, we'll as by the best sentiment
of mankind throughout the civilized world.
humanity, civilization and progress demanded
the war
When Abraham Lincoln found the Rebellion
so thoroughly intrenched and powerful in
arms that extra constitutional measures were
rs he hash
to strike at the very foundations OF constitu-
tional law in his Proclamation of Emancipation.
The life of the nation demanded it. and the life
rose above the Constitution. "Saus populi SUI
prema lex esto''
ENGLAND'S COURSE IN EGYPT
When the English government found misrule,
oppression and chaos in Egypt, where Great
Britain and other civilized nations had large in
vestments. England interfered, assumed control
of the finances Of that desolated land. reformed
Its fiscal system, recognized its corrupt judici-
airy, brought Justice through the courts to the
oppressed, established system of popular edu-
cation so far conditions would admit reduced
confusion to order. gave the common people
peace and protection promoted industrial enter
prises, and pointed the progress of the land
toward prosperity and happiness All this with
out the warrant of law authority, save the
power. The exigencies of the case the miserable
condition Of things. the cries Of outraged hu-
mainly, the violation of solemn covenants upon
the part of Egypts dissoute and irresponsible
rulers-these were the Qualifications for Eng
lands Intervention. possession and rule in Egypt.
The civilized world approves it. Mankind is
profted by this change of administration and
civilization is advanced
France has. upon similar assumptions of
power in Algeria and Tunis. introduced reforms
| in government. encouraged industry. promoted
civilized methods and secured the administration
of justice in the courts There are indications Of
still greater advances out of darkness into light
in the future
The Dark Continent" that vast storehouse of
inhumanity to man. that immense moral desola-
ton for long stretches OF centuries has In these
latter days been apportioned among the civilized
| nations of Europe. England, Germany France.
! Belgium. Portugal and Italy now hold and adj
minister almost the whole Of those once I'M
fashionable depths of mystery. savagery and
| barbarism. The light of civilization is now
| breaking upon it through many windows. Rail-
| ways the telegraph, the printing press the
| school. the Gospel. humanity-these factors have
! come through the instrumentality of the great
! civilized nations to enlghten, lift up, set free
! and redeem these people so long set in darkness.
! And yet no law, the law of human brother
! hood, human progress. human uplifting-the
veal of mankind-justifes this arrogation OF
| power. this Selling possession of lands long held
| by others. this prerogative of absolute govern
ment. The unwritten law of mans duty to
| mankind is the cornerstone in this new founda-
| ton of States.
! Humanity stepped forward to protect and
| wrest Greece from the rapacious and savage
| Turk many years ago. without authority of law.
| save the higher law of justice, right and hui
| mainly.
| The great powers. in behalf of the welfare
| OF the human race, stripped Turkey of RUmania-
| Bulgaria and Servia. and demanding
| that Macedonia be freed from oppression and
destruction by the insufferable Turk.
DISPOSSEsSION OF INDIANS
The dispossession of our American Indians
| from their homes and happy hunting grounds by
! our own ancestors. with other authority than
that of might for purposes of settlement, civili-
cation and Christian progress. is but another
| instance where the law of 'non-user' has been
| enforced. The Supreme Providence which Gre
| ated the earth and endowed it with every de-
| sirable resource for the use and benefit of man
| kind for the establishment of His Kingdom
| uron earth. did not design that these means
| to great and beneficial ends should be forever
nullified by non-use. IT is said even of the
| Kingdom Of Heaven that the violent take it
| by force" BY violent" may understand
| earnest" vigorous" determined" "strenu-
GUS"
| The suspension OF the writ of habeas corpus
| ore OF the strong guarantees Of English liberty.
! incorporated in its Magma Charta and translated
| into the Constitution of the United States-is
authorized by the English Parliament as we'll