The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-28
Defeating the Panama
Treaty No Remedy.
S0SAYS MR.. Sim M ONS
He Delivers in the Senate Speech of
Marvellous Force i'm Favor OF
the Ratification of the Ca
nal Treaty With
Panama.
Especial to News and Observer.) }

Especial to News and Observer
Washington, d. c., Jan. 27.--The first
Democratic Senator to come out openly
and avowedly in favor of the Panama
treaty is Senator Simmons of North Car
olna, who today addressed the Senate on
that question en- both sides of the cham
Der were anxious to hear his speech, and
he was listened to with close attention
during the entire hour that he spoke.
Only one time was he interrupted by
4 question, that came from Senator Till
man, on the Democratic side. Senator
Simmons said it had been contended that
a vote for ratification under the clrcum
stances, was tantamount to condoning the
action of the administration, IF thought
that, as deeply important to us as is the
construction of the canal,' the Senator
observed, Il do not think I could vote for
-
Senator Tillman, 1.-THE Senator is too
good a lawyer, I judge, not to know that
it is good law that the receiver of stolen
goods, is as guilty as the man who steals
them"
l do not think the question of stolen
goods and thievery enters into this mat
tey at all
The Senator contrary to his usual Gus
tom read his speech from manuscript, and
on its conclusion was congratulated by
Republican as well as Democratic Sena-
tors.
He said:
hot
been done and cannot be undone. 1t was
not done by the Democratic party, neither
could that party have prevented it's
doing and therefore, it is in no way rGA
sponsible for it, If what has been done
in Panama can be Undone at all by this
government it can only be urdone by
has already been done to Colombia
Surely the defeat of this treaty will not
either undo or remedy that wrong.
Il am not here to defend the actions
Of the President, either in connection with
the revolution in or recognition of the
independence of Panama"
There is much in his conduct in these
connections of which I disapprove, which
L regard as imprudent and unwise; as
rash and dangerous to the peace and
the traditions and policy of this govern
ment in its dealing with other nations in
this hemisphere, and is not calculated to
advance US in the affection and esteem
OF other nations. i 90 rot think, how
ever, that everything the President did
in this connection was wrong. From the
bottom of my heart l would be glad, for
the honor of my country I would be
glad if l could reconcile all OF his acts
il this connection with my notions of right
and law, but cannot and be honest with
myself. I am bound to say, and l have
no pleasure in saying it, that the course
of the President, both in connection with
the revolution in Panama and the recog-
milton Of its independence, was to say the
least, hssty, rash, impudent and danger
Gus to the peace and welfare OF this
country; and justifies the feeling OF many
of his political friends as we'll as his
political opponents that he lacks that
conservatism, which considerations OF ma
tional stability and safety make neces
sary and desirable in the Chef executive
Of the nation
Mr. Simmons said he believed that the
President and the Secretary of State had
been relieved of all the charges OF com
plicity in the Panama revolution.
He said he did not believe that the
possession of knowledge concerning all
approaching revolution should be accept
ed as discredting the statement Presi-
dent and added:
In entire Difference to the views of
others on this side of the chamber, who
may differ with me in this opinion. / think
tEat the statement Of the President in
this respect should be accepted I'm
Idoubtedly the President knew of the forth
coming revolution in Panama Tt was his
duy in view OF imminent insurrection. to
have on the ground a sufficient force
to protect the lives and property of
American citizens. This he did, and il he
had done no more than this lie would
have, done no more than his duty under.
the law
Mr.. Simmons announced his belief that
the change of recommendation by the
Isthmian Canal Committee from the Mica
raguan to the Panama route had been the
result of honest conviction.
| He also accepted the Spooner Act as .
deliberate pronouncement by Congress in
favor of Panama and direction to the
President to construct the canal bv that
route If possible to acquire it in >,
reasonable time
Interpreting the phrase ''resonah1,-
! time On broad principles, he did mot
believe that there was any lapse of POS
sonable time which would have made
the Presidents duty to turn to the alter