The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-07
PANAMA IN THE SENATE
Speeches Made For and Against he
Administrations Policy.
MORGAN MAINTAINS HIS COURSE
Alabama Senator Declares Roosevelt


Interference In Affairs On lsthmus
Was OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, Of Ne
vsdn. Criticised Colombia.
Washington. Jan. 5.-The senate's
drst session was devoted entirely 70
Panama. President Rooseyelts mes
cage was received with great Interest.
Discussion continued throughout the
day. speeches being made both In DE-
Tense OF and against the policy Wnich
has been pursued.
Mr.. McComas defended the president
and asserted that his action would
stand If tried in court. He maintained
that even without recognition. the new
Republlc OF Panama would have been
established and maintained linden
nltely
Mr.. Stewart endorsed the course OF
the administration on the Panama
question. although he said he had FOR
merly been in favor Of the Nicaragua
route. Mr. Stewart declared that the
object of Colombia was to delay mat
tors until the expiration OF the French
canal concession, and then charge the
United States $4,000. 600 for the con
cesslon. III is time" he added. we
should begin to treat them according
10 their true characters. as highway
robbers. leyying blackmail on the ma
tions OF the world"
1--WE have got the right Of way now
for the canal concluded Mr.. Stewart.
The people want the canal. and
turning TO the Democratic side of the
chamber. ", on had better get onto the
band Wagon. because It is moving. the
people don't care anything about that
little band II robbers at BOgota, and
we are going to build the canal, and J
am going to try to live until the canal
is constructed
Mr. Morgan said that the message
NJ the president contained no now
recommendation 1T seems to be an
argument against the resolutions and
remarks of the senior senator from
Massachusetts (Mr HOar) and OF re-
marks Of a senator on this side Of the
chamber" He (Morgaul might yield
in his judgment that no ship could ever
pass through tho Isthmus OF Panama
but ne could not assist in the break
ing down Of our hxed policy Of neu-
trality between belligerenls. or in en-
larging the diplomatic powers OF the
president by construction, until they
reached the whole stage Of usurpation
on the part OF the executive. He SAID
that instead OF the uprising being that
az OF one man. as declared by the
president. II had been an uprising OF
eight men. who for months had been
In conspiracy against the real people
OF Panama He declared that Presi-
dent Rooseyelt's interference in Co
lombla's affairs on the lsthmus was
uniustined by the constitution. and as
serted that If there was to be a general
policy on the part OF the United States
OF UNFOLDING civilization, that policy
must be undertaken by congress and
moi ltlI ~ UldAVil AiiN iNh' w HF''''
individual American Sancho Panza to
be thrust into the bosom of friendly
power"
Mr.. Morgan predicted that even
though the government OF the United
States should undertake the cOnStruc'
ton Of the Panama canal, a canal
would be- first built over the Nicara
guam route because OF its superior
feasibility. He again referred to Presi-
dent McKinley's attitude towards the
canal routes end declared that Mica
ragua has a better friend In the grave
OF William Mckinley that Panama has
In the present head OF the American
army and navy" lie asserted that the
present effort to secure Democratic
votes for the treaty was a Republican
expedient TO defeat any canal. and
aid the presidents campaign for cleo
ton to another term.
III there are any Democrats who
think that the best way 10 defeat the
Republicans is TO follow their lead.
ne said. II must still remain an OBJ
stinate man OF one idea, as | have
been charged. and stand by that rather
than be led or driven into commercial
practices in politics or into political
gambling. with the laws as pawns on
the chess board. TO be moved back and
forth at the will Of the player with the
use of the army and navy. in unlawful
war. to give spectacular effect to the
leader OF a campaign for the presi-
dency"