Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-15
and satisfactorily under the terms Of
Al. ,ou oottIno aside the proceeds

and satisfactorily unusr inc uer"s u
the law setting aside the proceeds
from the disposal of public lands.
No other class OF our citizens DE-
serves so we'll Of the nation as those
to whom the nation owes its very Dc
ing, the veterans of the Civil war. Spe-
citl attention is asked to the excellent
work of tile pension bureau In expedlt-
ing and disposing OF pension claims.
During the year ended June ~ last
25,566 persons We're appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 12,o'2
more than during the preceding year
and 40 percent Of those who passed
| the examinations.
The effect Of the laws providing
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the National Guard
has been excellent. Great improve
ment has been made in the efficiency
of our army in recent years.
/ heartily congratulate the congress
upon the steady progress In building
up the American navy. we cannon
afford let-up in this great work. To
stand still means to 20 back. There
should be no cessation IN adding 10 the
effective units of the fighting strength
| of the feet. Meanwhile the navy de-
partment and the officers n the navy
are doing well their part by providing
constant service ut sea under c0ndl
tons akin TO those of actual warfare.
BY the act OF June 2e. 1902, the con-
grcss authorized the president to enter
into treaty with Colombia for the
building Of the canal across the lsth-
mus of Panama. When the congress di-
rected that we should take the Pana-
ma route under treaty with Colombia
the essence Of the condition referred not
to the government which controlled
that route. hut to the route itself: to
the territory across which the route lay.
Last spring treaty concluded be-
tween the representatives OF the re-
public of Colombia and Of our govern
ment was ratified b.. the senate. This
/
solicitation Of the people of Colombia
and after body of experts appointed
by our government especially to 20 into
the matter of the routes across the
isthmus had pronounced unanimously
in favor OF the Panama route. In draw
I'm" up this treaty every corceS sion was
made t. t." people and to the govern
ment of Colombia. We were more
than Just IN dealing with them. Never
thclesS Tie government of Colombia not
merely repudiated the treaty, but re-
pudiatcd il IN such manneras TO make II
evident by the time the Colombian con-
gress adjourned that not the Scantiest
hope remained Of ever getting Il salts
factory treaty FROM them.
The people of Panama had long been
disconnected with the republic Of Co
lnmh;,. and they had been kept quiet
only by the prospect of the conclusion
Of the caral treaty. which was to then
natter of vital concern. When 1t he
came evident that the treaty WAS hope
lessly lost the people of Panama rose
literally rs one man. The Colombian
troops shattered on the istllmuS. who haC
long been unpaid. made common cause
with tie people OF Panama, and will
astonishing unahimty the new republic
was started. The duty of the UnitrC
States in the premises was clear ant
the de- factO government Of Panama
was recognized.
Every effort has been made by tin
government of the United States to per
suade Colombia to follow Il course
which was essentially not only to on
interests and to The interests of ti'
world. hut TO the interSAtS of Colon
bia itself. These efforts have failed
and Colombia. by her persistence in IT,
pulsinc the advances HAT have beer
made. has forced us for the sake %
our own honor and Of the interest arC
well being. not merely of our own PEG
pie. but of the people OF the iSthmuS q
Panama and thr p"oIlr Of the civili1"'
countries of the world 10 take decisive
'fclS I" f"!h% 10 III en-" Il 'o""i''"I' "
t,rS which had become intolcraho
: lie new republic Of Panlr"a immcdi
: atclv offered To negotiate treaty Wit
us. This treaty herewith submit
All that remains is for the America
congress 10 do its part and forthwith
, this republic will en!"r up0n the eN
ecution of i project colossal IN i's Siz
and of well ni.h inrlIrrablc possihil
ties for T., GOOD cf this country an
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