The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-05-05
AN AMERICAN CANAL.

THE policy of this country is Ca
nal under American control. So
declared President Hayes in 1890.
During the twenty-four years since
then that policy has been consistently
aud resolutely maintained even as it
had been maintained for many years
previous. At last that policy has re
suited in the actual possession by the
United States of the best canal rights
between the Atlantic and Pacific, in
Guiding a not inconsiderable strip Of
land and partially dug canal. The
contract transferring the ownership of
the Panama Canal and all of it's APP
purtenances has been signed, sealed,
and delivered by the officers of the
French company, and ratified by the
stockholders. This country has now
begun the construction of a canal un
der American control.
The man who, of all men, il re-
sponsible for the recent action of the
United States by which the canal has
become American property is President
Roosevelt. 1t was his promptness in
improving the opportunity which,
without any of his seeking, was
offered to this country last fall, that
brought about the present happy con-
ditions. Had he failed to see the
psychological moment, or seeing it,
had he faltered or hesitated, this coun-
try would in all probability have lost
its chance for several years to come
and would now have been farther than
ever from the realization of its dream
Of an inter oceanic canal. But he did
not falter or hesitate. Nor did he
make a false move. The work re-
ouired both discretion and courage but
he proved himself supplied with both.
He was attacked bitterly for his &C
ton by the INSCRIPTIONS of his politi-
Nicaraguan route, and by some few
who honestly differed with his views.
1t was said that he was acting with
dangerous impetuosity; that his rash
acts would involve this country in
war with Colombia; that there would
be litigation in Paris and Intervention
by France; and that the result of his
appal ling and fatal indiscretion"
would be trouble in every direction.
Six months have passed and what has
become of the OF oaker and prophets
of evil who saw only disaster in the
wild and reckless course of the Pres-
dent? Where are the men who saw
political capital in opposing his
course? The croakers are silent The
opposition is crushed. German saw
chance to make his name by oppos-
ing the canal treaty and thereby cast
ing discredit upon the President. AS
result large portion of his own
party deserted him and from the posi-
ton Of prominently mentioned can
didate for the presidential nomination
he fell so close to the waters of the
sea of oblivion that he can be used as
an object lesson to the young who are
DESTROYS of playing politics -
President Roosevelt stands vindi-
Gated before the world He was not
rashly impetuous' but was awake to
the necessities of the situation and at
tie right moment did the right thing,
and as result the United States is to
| build the Panama canal The nation
and the world have cause to teel
| grateful. The canal will be of espe-
cisl value to this country but the
whole world will share in its benefits.
1t was said foreign countries would
| object to its control by the United
| States, but no such objections have
been presented. Instead there is a
very general approval abroad of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's course and the plans
for the canal. The same common sense
and recognition of facts that have APP
proved British control of the Suez Ca
nal, ana have made that control en-.
tirely acceptable to all the world, now
lead all nations to regard with conf.
dence and satisfaction a canal under
American control, now to be built al
Panama through the wisdom OF Presi'
dent Roosevelt and his advisers.
| AUSTRALIANS EXPERIMENT.