The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-24
THURSDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1903
Morals and Business.

we do not understand that the Dcnno-
cratic senators in Congress are opposed
70 the construction of the Panama Canal.
IT is generally conceded that an inter
ocean canal is a necessity Of the times
and that It will be of great benefit TO
tho United States. The southern people
are especially Interested III the construc-
ton Of such a canal. and tho southern
senators arc In favor Of it. It is e. uues-
4 ton whether or not the Panama route IS
The best that could be found. but 1t is
the shortest route between tho oceans.
The Panama scheme IS Just now tho
most possible OF all that have been
proposed NThe rights and franchises Of tho
French company have been obtained. and
the new Republic Of Panama is ready
and anxious to enter into negotiations
with us and let the work so on. II this
treaty should be ratified by the United
States Senate, the work will begin In
short order.
But there arc moral questions involved
which cannot be overlooked. Our special
correspondent writing from Panama says
that while there Is no evidence discover
able there to controvcrt tho statement of
President Roosevelt that his administra-
ton was not privy to the revolution In
Panama is in an indisputable fact that
the conspirators believed implicitly before
Il hey made single mcve for Independence
=, If uIpnort hp II
been given by the governmnt at Wash
ington. and that this belief was SO tho
roughly fixed In the minds Of the con-
spirators that they did not hesitate to say
that the move would never have boon
made had Washington not given as
surances OF support.
The conspiracy was Matched out In tho
United States, and it is positively assert
ed that the administration was prlvy to
It. It may not have given the necessary
assurances In so many words, but It
doubtless gave the conspirators to I'M
derstand that If they should be success
full In setting up an independent republic,
the new government would be recognized
at once by the United States. AS COLI
firnatory of that, the new republic was
recognized Immediately after hts indepen-
dencc had been declared
Moreover, undcr4the guise Of protecting
the Panama Railroad ana nterocean
traffic, the Colon bians were prevented
by the United States government from
landing troops and suppresslng the insur-
rcction. And to-day our government is
protecting the so-called Republic of Pan
ANA from n revolution OF Colombian
troops.
In short, the United States government
is responsible for the revolution, and GER
tainly appears to have done tho Colon.
bian Republic a gross wrong. 1t is for
this reason that such Democrats as SEN
ator Daniel and such Republicans as San
ator Hoar are calling for all the facts
in the case, and insisting that II We have
done Colombia a wrong we should make
just reparation. AS purely business
question 1t is on the face OF It In ON
interest to make terms with Panama, but
IL we have done friendly republic Z
wrong In putting ourselves In position
We cannot escape the responsibility OF
our act, and we cannot escape the cyl
consequences that always fo.low an act o.
unrightcousness. AS an honorable natior
we must always take our stand for tina
which is honorable. And especially should
NE be careful when we are dealing Will
a weak nation. which is unable to enforce
lis rights BY arms.
We repeat that there are two cues
t!ons involved, a business question and
mora! question. But the moral question
must be taken up and disposed OF first 0
ALL When that shall! have been settled Il
the way becoming an honorable nation
We may then proceed to consider tho bust
ness question. But our motto should b
morals before business.
==---==----=-
Mr., Rixey's Bill,
RJxay tbipks Tho ,,iirpor