The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1904-01-07

for my mentioning them is the fear
lest unthinking persons might mistake
for acquiescence the silence of mere
self.respect. l think proper to say,
therefore. that no one connected with
this government had any part in pre-
pairing, melting or encouraging the
Panama, and that save from the re-
ports Of our military and naval off,
GERS, given .above, no one connected
with this government had any pre-
vious knowledge of the revolution ex-
cept such as was accessible to any per-
son of ordinary intelligence VINO read
the newspapers and kept up current
acquaintance, with public affairs.
BY the unanimous action of it's peo-
pie. without the firing of a shot
with a unapimity hardly before re-
corded in any similar case-the peo-
pie of Panama declared themselves
an independent republic. Their recog-
milton by this government was based
upon q state of facts in no way de-
pendent for its justification upon our
action in ordinary cases. l have not
| denied, nor do wish to deny, either
the validity or the propriety of the
general rule that a new State should
not be recognized as Independent till
It has shown its ability to maintain
It's independence. This rule is derived
from the principle of nonintervention.
and as a corollary of that principle has
generally been observed by the United
States. But, like the principle from
which it is deduced. the rule is subject
to exceptions; and there are in my
opinion clear and imperative reasons
why departure from it was justi-
fled and even required in the present
instance. These reasons embrace,
first, our treaty rights; second, our
national interests and safety; and
third, the interests of collective civili-
zation..
That our position as the mandatory
Of civilization has been by no means
misconceived Is shown by the prompt
tude with which the powers have, one
after another, followed our lead in rec
ognizing Panama as an Independent
State. Our action in recognizing the
new republic has been followed by like
recognition on the part Of France, Ger,
many. Denmark, Russia, Sweden and
Norway. Nicaragua, Peru, China, Cuba,
Great Britain. Italy. Costa Rica, Japan,
and Austria-Hungary.
In view of the manifold considera.
tions Of treaty right and obligation, of
national interest and safety, and of
collective civilization. by which our
government was constrained to act, /
am at loss to comprehend the atti-
tude Of those who can discern in the
recognition of the Republic of Panama
only . general approval of the princi-
pie of revolution" by which a given
tion Of country separated from an.
other. Only the amplest justification
can warrant revolutionary movement
of either kind. But there is no fixed
rule which can be applied to all such
movements. Each case must be judged
on its own merits. There have been
many revolutionary movements, many
movements for the dismemberment of
countries, which were evil, tried by
any standard. But in my opinion NO
disinterested and fair minded observ-
or acquainted with the circumstances
can fail to feel that Panama had the
amplest justification for separation
from Colombia under the conditions
existing, and moreover. that its action
was in the highest degree beneficial
to the interests of the entire civilized
world by securing the immediate op-
portunity for the building of the inter-
oceanic canal.
In conclusion, let me repeat that the
question actually before this govern
ment is not that of the recognition
OF Panama as an independent repub-
lie. That is already an accomplished
fact. The question. and the only ques-
ton, is whether or not we shall build |
an isthmian canal
! transmit herewith copies of the
latest notes from the minister of the
Republic of Panama to this govern
ment. and OF certain notes which have
passed between the special envoy of
the Republic of Colombia and this gov
ernment
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.