Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-12-09

part IN the worlds affairs. Failure
to do so will not be chargeable to
any carelessness on the part of the
United States. Almost from the
time of the isthmus' discovery it
was the highway between the two
continents which it joined, and a
center of Spanish commerce in the
new world. Its prosperity increas-
ed with the building of a good road
from the Caribbean sea 10 the Pa
citic ocean. For centuries two
continual streams of traffic have
passed each other upon this high
way. The Spaniards erected forts
at short intervals along this road,
for they early realized the strate-
gic importance of the isthmus
should another European power
dispute their supremacy in the
Americas. Besides, the noun
tains were inhabited by bands of
marauding Indians. which preyed
on travellers, in defiance TO Spain.
Early in the sixteenth century
plans were made for a trans-ocean-
ic waterway, and, at the command
of Philip III, Flemish engineers
were dispatched to report on the
scheme. They located a favora-
ble route, but suddenly the mon
arch decided against the project.
1t was supposed that he feared the
growing strength of England,
whose buccaneers were already a
terror to the Spanish gslleons.
Should Spain 5 possession be divid-
ed by a canal, it was possible that
England would endeavor to seize
it, and so prevent communication
between the sundered provinces.
Although the royal command for
babe recurrence to the subject, il
was discussed by scientists and
travellers, many of whom visited
the country as result of the
Flemish engineers report. From
that day to this the Panama canal
has been an international question
of ,-o-,-,rrr ,p,nDrtonoo
In the 200 years which followed
the abandment of Philips idea ex.
plorers from Italy, France and
England made surveys of possible
routes across the isthmus,a and from
1850 to 1865 no fewer than IL par,
ties crossed and recrossed the
country in search of the best route
for the canal, which all felt must
sooner or later, be constructed
The building of a railroad did bu
emphasize the advantages of ,
waterway. In 1879 an information
al congress for the purpose of con
sidering the matter, was assembled
in Paris, and several differen
schemes and % different route,
were submitted. As result tn,
De LeSseps enterprise was under
taken the same year. Two year
later the actual work was undei
way, and in 1855 the company sus
pended payment. Several at
tempts were made to resume oper
ations, but in 1891 came the dis
closure of the construction contrac
scandal, and the most colossal fail
ure of modern times became mat
ter of French history. Both Franc,
and Panama reeled under the blow
1t was more deadly to the isthmus
which had been enjoying a season
of prosperity never before ATTAINED
by a modern Spanish-Americal
province. Ten or twelve thousanC
labOrers had been regularly EN-
ployed by the De Lesseps. Thei
wages had been spent in the Iittl,
isthmian towns. To lose their rev
enue, which the Panamaians hac
fondly believed to be a mere re
tanning fee, was almost too mucl
for their philosophy. In their dis
tress the Colombian Government
was appealed to, but unavailingly
The authorities at Bogota wer,
either unable or unwilling to help
Some bitter words were spoken a
the time, and there was even thel
talk of a separation. Ever sine
the best of feeling has not existe,
between the State and the Fedora
Government.
The two names most intimatel,
connected with the history of Pan
anna are those of De Lesseps an
Morgan. To the reader of romano
the latter must ever be the NOR
esteemed. What memories of dc
lightful, if surreptitious, readin
about the Spanish Main does nc
= the bold Welsh name call VI