The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-01
is DOUBTFUL
From Senator Oyerman's Letter il
Seems That He is Rather Against
Panama Treaty-Thinks Honor OF
This Country Should be Considered
Can Vote for Treaty and Still
Maintain His Honor, Says q Promi-
a Measure Which Should be Above
Party Lines.

At a meeting of the Chamber OF
Commerce held several days ago tele-
grams were sent to Senators Simmons
and Overman urging them to support
the Panama treaty. Senator Over
mans reply was received yesterday.
Although Senator Overman does nc
state that he will not support the
Panama treaty, still his letter is re-
garded as implying that he will not
do SO.
A prominent citizen Of this city
stated yesterday that he did not
think hat Mr.. Overman fully grasp
ed the magnitude of the situation. He
said in his opinion the United States
could adopt the Panama treaty with
out furnishing the honor of this
country, and hat Mr.. Overman could
vote for the measure without affect
ing his honor. .
The Panama treaty is regarded as
a matter of great Importance to the
business interests of his count and
one that should be above party
politics.
Senator Overman's letter is as fol-
lows:
II beg to acknowledge receipt of
your telegram urging ME, on behalf
of the Wilmington Chamber of Com
merce, to support the Panam treaty,
and to thank YOU for the same.
Il am always glad and anxious TO
know the wishes Of my people in re-
gard to any and all great public
questions pending before the Con-
gress, n it is my desire to reflect
their sentiments as neal as 1 can by
my vote. I would be untrue to my
people and to the people of the South
as we'll as untrue to myself, die I not
heartily favor the building of the
canal and do all in my power to Sc
cure it, believing as I do with them
that it is for the best commercial in
terest of the whole nation that the
canal should be built. I shall most
cheerfully vote for the Panama
treaty, provided 1 can do so and at
the same time not sacrifice the ma
tlonal n and not violate my own
of morals and of what Is right
and wrong. With me the question
rises bov politics and dollars and
cents.
Why the Republicans will not
consent to the passage of the Hoar
resolution is very suspicious. It only
NShS ~ ShS AoSISy oAho l. III you
will agree with me that I ought not
to determine definitely what my ac-
ton will be until / know the facts.
I do not wish to be a party to the
building of a canal in wrong, dis
honor and blood. Did those in au-
thOrity In this country encourage and
onniv at the revolution n.Panama
with a sinister design? In this coun-
try a party to the revolution, pro-
nnco IN oct hy fN~na kh4k -Ls.l -
could not get by treaty and engage
in war with a helpless little republic?
Is this nation to exhibit itself to the
world as guilty of sharp practice?
These are some of the questions I
must answer and to do so must have
all the facts, which as yet we have
not been able to obtain, and for these
reasons I have not made up my mind
definitely to support the treaty.
IF the Panama treaty should fail
of ratification the law is already writ
ten upon the statute books and the
money appropriated to build the
Nicaraguan Canal. Except for de-
lay, in my judgment, there is no
u about getting a canal in any
event, and heretofore a large ma
jority Of the people of the South, as
shown by the votes of their Sena-
tors and Representatives In Congress.
has been for that route. So far as
our immediate section is concerned
1t is believed to be the best route. So
1t is lot a question of canal, but is
the country's conscience to be de-
bauched and shall we have the Pan
anna Canal at a sacrifice of honor and
war or shall we have the N~icaraguan
Canal with peace and honor? If all
that is alleged be true, to ratify the
treaty would be compromising with
an outrage and we would be temper
iZing with unfair dealings. To me it
is a very serious question. I want all
\ the light I "a get upon the subject.
I want TO know the truth. n after
getting the facts / trust that I may
be able to carry out your wishes, and
what seems to be the wishes gen.
orally Of my people. / shall get the
facts, give the matter due considera-
ton and do what is best for all the
people. I do not wish to be consid-
cred IN any n an obstruction
ist. neither do I wish to set myself
up as 'holier than thou but I am
sure that you and the people Of the
! State will appreciate my POSITION.
Thanking you again for telling me
what are the wishes OF the good peo-
pie of Wilmington, and sincerely
hoping I may see my way clear to
vote for the treaty, / am
Yours truly,
"LEE &