The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-09-12

in Panama only on condition of mis- stating what was done. The admins tration behaved throughout not only with good faith, but with whom it dealt. It was also mindful of Ameri- can interests. 1t acted in strict com uliance with the law passed by con- gress. Had not Panama been promptly recognized. and the transit across the Isthmus kept open, in accordance with our treaty rights and obligations, there would have ensued endless guerrilla warfare and possibly foreign eomplica- tions; while all chance of building the canal would have been deferred, cer- tainly for years, perhaps for a genera ton or more. Criticism of the action in this matter is simply of the only possi- bTe action which could have secured the building of the canal; as well as the peace and quiet which we were, by treaty, bound to preserve along the line of transit across the Isthmus. The ser vice rendered this country in securing the perpetual right to construct, main tain. operate and defend the canal was so great that our opponents do not ven- ture to raise the issue in straightfor- ward fashion; for if so raised there would be no issue. The decisive action which brought about this benehcent re- suit was the exercise by the President of the powers vested in him, and in him alone, by the Constitution; the power to recognize foreign governments by entering into diplomatic relations with them, and the power to make treaties which, when ratified by the senate, become under the Constitution part of the supreme law of the land Neither in this nor in any other matter has there been the slightest failure to live up to the Constitution in letter and in spirit. But the, Constitution must be observed positively as well as negative ly. The Presidents duty is to serve the country in accordance with the Consti- tuition; and I should be dereliet in my duty if I used q false construction of the Constitution as a shield for weak ness and timidity, or as an excuse for governmental impotence.
 Opponents' Weapon NIisrepresentation.
 Similar misrepresentation is the one weapon of our opponents in regard to our foreign policy. and the way the navy has been made useful in carrying out this policy. Here. again all that we ask is that they truthfully state what has been done. and then say whether or not they object to it; for if continued in power we shall continue our foreign policy and our handling of the navy on exactly the same lines in the future as l in the past. To what phase of our for leign policy, and to what use of the navy, do our opponents object? Do they object to the way in which the Monroe Doctrine has been strength ened and upheld? Never before has this doctrine been acquiesced in abroad as it is now; and yet, while upholding the rights of the weaker American re- pdblics against foreign aggression, the administration has lost no opportunity to point out to these republics that those who seek equity should come with clean hands, and that whoever claims liberty as right must accept the re- responsibilities that go with the exercise of the right. Do our opponents object
 to what was done in reference to the
 petition of American citizens against
 
 test against the treatment of the Jews
 in Roumania? or to the efforts that
 have been made in behalf of the Arme- nians in Turkey2 No other administra-
 ton in our history no other govern Iment in the world, has more consistent fly stood for the broadest spirit of brotherhood in our common humanity,
 or has held a more resolute attitude of protest against every wrong that out
 raged the civilization of the age, at Ihone or abroad. Do our opponents ob-
 ject to the fact that the international tribunal at the Hague was rescued
 from impotence, and turned into DO
 tent instrument for peace among the nations? This government has used that tribual, and advocated it's use by oth- | CTS, in pursuance of it's policy to pro-
 mote the cause of international peace and good will by all honorable methods.
 In carrying out this policy, 1t has set I tied dispute after dispute by arbitra- ton or by friendly agreement. It has
 behaved towards all nations, strong or
 weak, with courtesy, dignity and jus Itice and it is now on excellent terms with all.
 Do They Object.
 Do our opponents object to the settle- Iment of the Alaska boundary line? Do .I they object to the fact that after free ling Cuba we gave her reciprocal trade advantages with the United States,
 while at the same time keeping naval stations in the island and providing Iagainst it's sinking into chaos, or being conquered by any foreign power? Do slthey object to the fact that our flag Inow flies over Porto Rico? Do they ob- lject to the acquisition of Hawaii? Once they hauled down our flag q there; we have hoisted it again; dc they intend once more to haul it down: Do they object to the part we played ir lChina? Do they not know that the
 voice of the United States would now lcount for nothing in the far east if we Ihad abandoned the Philippines and re- fused to do what was done in Chinai Do they object to the fact that this government secured a peaceful settle lment of the troubles in Venezuela two years ago? Do they object to the pres.
 ence of the ship-of-War off Colon wher the revolution broke out in Panama
 and when only the presence of this shiI saved the lives of American citizens Ei land nreUantad ins1llt fO the Bfiag?e SDC