New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-13
CHEERS FOR PRESIDENT.
MR. QUARLES'S SPEECH.
The Senator's Eloquent Defence Of
the Panama POLICY.

brought out by Senator Joseph V Quarles Of
Wisconsin, who defended in a convincing ad-
dress the Presidents course in the Panama
affair Three hearty cheers for the President
were given and the hope that he would be
nominated, expressed by David Thornton. presi-
dent Of the club. was the occasion for another
outburst Of applause.
Letters regretting their inability to be pres
ent from President Roosevelt, Secretary Taft
of the War Department. Senator'S Frye, PIatt
and Depew. Governor Oden and others were
read. Besides Senator Quarles the speakers
were the Rev. DR.. David G. Downey, of ST.
Johns Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn.
on The Lincolnian Greed and Life; Samua
r. Weed. on Personal Recollections of Lin
coin; Creswen Mclaughlin. Editor Of School
master" on Every Man Has His Price" and
State Senator Henry Marshall.
WHAT THE SENATOR SAID.
Senator Quarles said in part:
Mr. POSTMASTER: The President mas lately been
subjected to cruel censure regarding his Panama
You in an honest effort to reach just conclusions
am persuaded that the harsh criticism OF the
on two points-drst. mistake Of law. and. second,
The first error involves misconstruction OF the
treaty Of 1876 between the United States and New
obligations on the isthmus. In this treaty occur
The United States also guarantee in the same
manner, the rights Of sovereignty and property
which New-Granada has and possesses over the
This language. when casually read by a layman.
would naturally import an absolute agreement on
our part to defend such local sovereignty whether
threatened by domestic revolt or foreign invasion.
IL this we're correct understanding OF tne tIeaty
Colombia was entitled to our aid in putting down
with the revolving province was shameless breach
AIonE this line newspapers and magazines have
proceeded until the impression became widespread
mat the Presidents action was a piece of sharp
ID a
pense of national honor. There Is little wonder that
she prosGTemen Of the great canal sRoaid not
justify such departure from common honesty
This criticism is wholly unjust. The treaty OF
1876 has 66cn so often construed that doubt re-
mains 20 its accepted meaning. The United
states IS bound as guarantor EVeIy IaW!et SHOWS SHOWS
that guarantee is a collateral agreement which
presupposes primary obligation resting upon
In his case It was Colombia. as successor. Of
New-Cirann Ia. that assumed this primary LIABILITY
mestie ATTACK The United states IS bound to in
terve1e only in case o. foreign invasion This in
depreciation has been consistently adhered TO by
In one dispatch in 1856 tho Colombian Minister.
while discussing the trsat.. TOOK pains to insist
States would have no concern with the matter uu-
less Panama proposed to ally herself with some
Il was not until the trouble arose that Colombia
as u, r Ie To , "a s4a, VIZ ~, t tF
our Subsequent dealing with her involved no IN
mIai5,rati6n must B6 Judged by se general rules
- International law. When We enter that forum
fixed rule as 10 time. but always proceeds along
the line % rs own policy and interest This must
controls the cabinets II the world
e fin-tio SHt sd11of f' IN a t5 rtys az
things, 10 reviewed by courts or reversed by legs-
sanctions or an oath Il { q tnality unless the
parent government shall challenge II by resort
Panama necessarily involved an acknowledgment
- her rov,r,icuty over she isthrnus our euar1n-
Tee given In 1870 90 NeW-iareuaua survives every
Change or local government. ana now inures %
The benefit Of Panama as the successor OF CO.
! come now 20 the mistake Of fact. from which
the administration has suffered still greater dis
arrangement. Democratic politicians were quick 20
Panama revolution am ready To- coHseds that
nothing could be more indefens,hie on The part Of a
The charge was f59gSrogs because our peore were
The revolution seemed as sudden rs clap Of
Of our cruisers on both sides OF the isthmus
coupled with the speedy rscognition OF the new
The Democrats faid tho revolution was too sudden
and too scrviceable 20 be genuine. The Implication
Was suggested that as Jupiter used 10 forge thun-
der5oits on high Olympus the strenuous Rough
ton was a handmade thunderbolt forged at the
Passing now from mere circumstantlaI evidence
I beg 10 remind you that there is one man who
knows whether this suspicion be well founded
This man presided over every diplomatic inter
change. Is familiar with every dispatch received
isthInus, an able. accomplished broad minded
man IN whom the people or America justly fesl
pride and confidence. That man IS John Hay. our
know you Will give crederce 10 his testimony. In
his letter to General Reyes January he said.
Amy charge that this government or any respou-
sihle member OF II. held intercourse. whether on
Cial unofficial. with agents Uf the revolution
IN Colombia, is utterly without justification. Even
IS the charge that any action Of this govern
Tnent prior 70 the revolution in Panama the
result OF completely with the plans OF the reyO-
lut!Onists The department sees ht 20 mako these
dcuials. and Il makes them finally
The President, who IS a strenuous disciple Of
truth. I'm most positive terms has given the same
assurance in a recent message But this is not an
Pursuant 20 Senate resolution, every scrap OF
paper relating 10 that great transaction has been
laid before the Senate. and greatly their regret
the Democratic Senators are forced TO admit. after
critical perusal. that the record furnishes no sun
port for their suspicious. There's mares nest
there. The revolution in Panama came IN natural
order according 20 predictions publicly made. as
early as August last the 1Oor Of the Colombian
When assured that d conflict imminent. tho
President sent naval force to protect American
citizens and American interests. and to keep open
the great isthmian transit. had been obliged
do many times before. and now doing
IN Corea and San Domingo. not by virtue OF any
treaty. but by inherent power residing in every
civilized government.
When the mist Of partisanship has cleared awav
there will he tinge OF dishOnOr resting upon
American diplomacy. When the great waterway
so necessary TO your trade and commerce becomes
out not only a the faithful servant of the Amer
lean people. but the savior OF the canal.
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