The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-09
The Act at Panama One
of Imperialism.
IT'S MOTIVE is GAIN
MIR. S. A. Jones Finds Four Strong
Reasons Why We Should Not
Have Taken Action in Pan
anna. Comments on Sim
mons Speech.

To the Editor: l have read with care
and interest Senator Simmons s speech
on the Panama treaty, taken from
standpoint of a clear, dspassionate pre-
sentation of the case in the four lights it
is viewed by the thoughtful, conserva-
tive American citizens. 1t is as clear and
been given to the public of the situation.
However, 1 am glad our Senator still
stands on grounds open to conviction
that he may not in the end cast his vote
from the standpoint of eXpediency and
the benefits of commercialism to the de-
triment of the nations honor and the de-
mand of Il greater wrong to smaller
wrong to try to make right grievous
wrong He has ably and without pre-
JUDGE argued both political sides of the
question. l doubt if many stronger and
more dispassionate arguments will be
made for or against it. The very clear
and calculating presentation by him
brings out four clear, distinct positions
the American people are prone to be
placed in, for not one of them can justify
a true American, believing in the Con
stitution of our fathers and the De
clarati of Independence and the sacred
ness of treaty obligations carrying pro-
tectoral and parental relations with their
system of agreements established be-
tween this country and the South
American Republics. For they are prac
tically under American paternal protec-
ton. The Senator is using Cuba as an
illustration and the Philippines and the
Hawaiian Islands. They are not appli-
cable or illustrative in any degree of the
Panama case. No treaty with Spain made
Cuba in any manner parental or protec-
toral care OF this country, neither the
Philippines, nor the Hawaiian Islands.
We have the same right to free the is
land of Jamaica that we had to free the
island of Cuba, if England was persecut-
ing this isolated island that she controls.
as Spain was prosecuting Cuba. We are
by treaty the pledged friends of the
erring and misguided republic of Colon
ba, and had any other nation, on earth
tried to rob Colombia of Panama, we
would have been traitors to our pledges
to not have sent our army to help Col
ombian republic defend the State of
the strongest power in the world today,
instead of other nations recognizing the
independence of Panama they would be
in arms behind the Colombian republic,
demanding that we take our hands off.
The imperial powers are not blind.
They see the great American PEOPLES
government, doing the act of imperial
ism, and are Fastening to recognize the
1f4 l. = d.,
episode to fasten on this great nation
that is the advocate of liberty tbefore We
can rctrace the dangerous and hasty steps
o. an lmpetuous, commissioning Presi-
dent), his act of committing us to the
line of imperialism. The Senator's
speech instead of convincing, in my hum
BILE judgment, thoughtful Americans that
il is a true American proposition, con-
vinces them of the sound reason that the
American people in their sober and quiet
hours will not forsake the principles or
over 200 years, and agree to tarnish the
grandest record and history for patriot
ism and the upholding of the weak
against the strong that has ever been re-
vealed to the world. His able speech
reveals five clear points, not one OF them,
but of itself should defeat the method to
bring about secession and the independ-
ence of Panama. The act first, magnifi-
Gently pictured by him, is one OF impe.
rialism. Second, its motives CONNER
cialism Third, in the Panama interest
spoilism, both by Panama and her parent
BODY Colombia. Fourth, the absolute
purpose of abandonment by this country
of it's obligation of parental protection to
the Colombian republic. So the only
justification then is commercial gain to
the world. and especially to this beloved
Southland OF ours. This sentiment does
not rule here in the hearts OF its people
free from that control that places COM
mercialism above patriotism. bat me
Senator's speech is evidence that We are
rapidly drifting out on that cruel ana
uncertain sea of condoning small
wrong because greater wrong might be
done before right is maintained. There
was a time in the history OF the world
That Christianity was nearly wiped from its
face, because those to whom the lights
had been trusted neglected to wipe oat
small wrong because the crushing OF it
seemed that it would develop greater
before truth and right would appear on
the horizon. No need to draw the com
parison or the conclusion. The Christian
world today understands the picture bet
ter than any mans pen can portray it.
This grand nation across whose banner
has been Inscribed, emancipation and
Fl eedom to ell Iations who will practice
honesty, justice and righteousness, that
would enlist beneath its folds, will find
freedom to an imperial ridden world. So
the cause presented in the Philippines
IS sill different from the one now that
comes close home, and this liberty-lovlng
people with strong hand, not Tor love
of liberty, not for love of freedom, but
for gain and commercialisn, strikes from
weak neighbor state. sets It Tree and
begins to trade with it. Establishes
precedent that will involve every republic
in South America in war with some OF
their outstanding States. ! VIII SUNNI
what | consider would be a parallel. In
the State of Florida. from which | came
to this State to cast my lot, the ques-
ton of a great ship canal across the state