The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1904-01-15
THE WEEKLY COURIER.
Carson Letter.
ED. COURIER:


continental lines, and that its building
would be a great help to the Pacific
Coast. and therefore claiming that the
speedy recognition of the independ-
ence of the people of the State of Pan
anna by President Roosevelt was
right. Quoting from recollection, the
editor of the Journal illustrated his
position thus: I'VE all want money,
and it would do us great deal of good
to have it, but are we justified in stop
ping stage 10 get it, or holding any
one up for it?'' | have shown in former
letters that Washington, John Quincy
Adams. James Madison Munroe and
Thomas jefferson on different oeca-
sions favored similar conduct with
reference to obtaining a free highway
on the lower Mississippi, and other
matters, as was followed by President
Roosevelt in acknowledging the indie
pendence of Panama. The fact is that
President Roosevelt's offense in this
matter is the very least within my
recollection and reading of national
offenses. The land now occupied by
the Uuited States used to, and under
every moral and equitable right, still
belongs. to the Indians. How did we
get it and how do we keep it? We did
not get it by purchase, because no one
will pretend that white man can get
an Indian drunk and buy his ranch for
a bottle of whisky and plug of tobac-
co. Such conveyance would be set
aside by our own courts, on the ground
of fraud and undue influence, in the
case of single transaction, but what
would they do if the several tribes
were to join in an action to set aside
all former conveyances upon the same
ground? Leaving the question Of
limitation out, the courts would say
that the taking of the lands from the
Indians was justified on the ground
that it is universal pity to have so
much good land idle, in the hands OF
race unable to handle it, and was nee
essary to satisfy the crying demands of
a great and growing civilization. So,
a nation can legally commit a crime
that an individual may not. Again,
what right has England in India or
in South Africa, or to any land she
has got, not excepting England
William, the Conqueror, initiated no
rights there. Spain acquired no rights
in the Philippines, and we have sue
ceeded to her rights by purchase.
In short, it may occur that it would be
wrong for powerful nation to do
right, and act honestly in all its deal
ings. Would it not have been wrong
for Thomas Jefferson to have permit
ted Louisiana-eithert the Spaniards or
the French in Louisiana-to have
closed the mouth of the Mississippi to
the free passage of American trade
that flows down that magnificent
river? Just imagine the effect it would
have had on the development of the
greatest valley in the world, and its
immense and varied resources. Yet,
it belonged to Spain at first and then
to France, and we would have no
right through there without pay
ing for it, but jefferson would not
entertain the thought a moment-it
was of too great importance to this
nation. We got out of fight there by
purchase from France. If France had
refused to sell we would have taken"
it, So, with the Panama canal 1t
must be built-the world demands it;
and it must be built by Americans and
protected by Americans. The noble
Senators of the Colombian Senate re-
fused to ratify a fair and equitable
treaty proposed to Colombia, and ask
ed for money-more money; they tried
to hold Uncle Sam up. They failed;
he would not be held up and did not
run. Roosevelt is entitled to the en-
tire creditor it, and the people are
giving him the credit, unrestrainedly,
and if the Democrats say much more
about it, it will be another of those
notorious and proverbial mistakes it
is said they can be relied on to make
just at the right time to insure Repub-
lican victory. Now, can political
party in power afford to do right, and
act morally and equitably, and succeed
in the perpetuation of its power. A
political party in power is the govern
ment itself, it must be remembered.
If dull times come, it is held response
BILE 1t is claimed, and with reason,
that its fiscal and other policies are not
good. A change of parties naturally
follows. TO maintain its power, the
political party in power, must, there
fore, take advantage of every trade,
and every condition, and cannot af-
ford to permit morals to have much or
anything to say in RAINING the gov
ernalent. All stockholders in every