The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-11-17
WHAT PANAMA. OsrS u IN gHE
WORLDS EsTIMA IUN.

For an hundred years this country YVES
a world power" in the best sense Of
tha much abused term. 1t did not rob
the weak of the territory by which it
expanded. Commencing with Jefferson's
purchase of the Louisiana territory and
closing with Johnson's purchase CT
Alaska, not a foot of n had been ad-
ded to our republic by fraud or force.
The whole world respected and hon
ored this country because it set an ex-
ample of public virtue and justice. The
first infraction of our honorable course
was when Dole and other missionaries,
under the inspiration Of the Harrison
administration, arranged for The stealing of
Hawaii. But that was such "a little
wrong that it did not destroy Americas
reputation for fair dealing among the
nations OF the earth though 1t did to a
degree affect our former proud position.
When war ives declared against Spain,
in the very declaration We put 1t on re-
cord that the war was not undertaken to
obtain territory and we pledged our
honor not to annex Cuba. At that time
nobody thought of the Philippine Islands
but the spirit of the resolution forbade
the course we pursued with reference to
them. It is a dark blot upon the Ameri-
can record. And now comes cur latest
action along the same line. Il will not
be shown by the records that the admin
istraticn inspired the revolution, for it
was too smart for that. Panama canal
schemers having forty million dollars at
stake, we're entrusted with that work.
but all the world knows that the revo,
luton in Panama was Matched up
In Washington under the direction of
men near to the administration, and
would never have been lone but for
assurance that the government at Wash
ington would recognize the infant r.
public.
The worst phase OF the matter is that
this country, long looked to by all South
and Central American States as the gen
erous aud honest big brother, is now re-
garded with suspicion and distrust. They
regard our setting up Of the republic OF
Panama as a mere preteXt to grab the
country, and they are right about it.
We Will get out OF Panama about as
carly as England will get out Of Egypt.
Is showing the feeling tbs act has pro-
voked IN South America, We print Tie
following extract from La Prensa, lead
ing newspaper published at Buenos Ayres.
The United States Is doing everything
possible Tor the reyolutionists, and has
not only manifested itself in favor the
tethmians, but has also prevented Co
lcmbia from sending a force to Panama,
although Colombia IS perfectly able TO
suppress the rebellion.
Besides this, the United States has
recognized the dc facto government on
the lsthmus, for which it has no prece-
dent under international law. The revo-
lutionists should have been recognized
only after they had obtained = decisive
triumph over the government forces, but
the United States has awaited itself OF
its superior strength, making it impos
sible for Colombia to enforce her rights
over tha isthmUs.
Therefore il may bc SAID that the Sc
cession movement at Panama is the work
OF tho United States.
This is se&sation8I, and should serve
as a warning to South America that there
are fatal consequences in celebrating
treaties by little and feeble nations with
big Powers. The protectorate OF the
Uuited States over the Panama Railway
will cost colombia q part of her terri
tory"
Il vas not necessary TO rape Colombia
to set tho canal. 1t war a preclpltat-