The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-19
III PANAMA WILL BEHAVE HER
SEl.E.

SELF.
"Soc Charleston nrstl" is the new
slogan of that splendid OLD town
president TAFT, having seen Charleston
first, is coming back TO the United
statcs through tho unrivaicd port OF
Hampton Roads.
Mr. Taft had most cordial rccep-
ton in Panama. lie made speech
in fact, number of specchcs-to the
people down there, and very good
speeches they were, At dinner given
in his honor by President Arosemena,
and attended by zoo official representa-
lives, diplomats and merchants, the
President said TO the distinguished
company that the American people
would feel dishonored in anueHng
Panama, unless some conduct by the
Panama people left no other course.
This contingency, the President was
sure, would never be presented.
We wish that, at some convenient time
and place, the President would explain
why the American people should not
feel dishonored by the methods that
were adopted by the p~wers Ut Wash
ington TO establish the Republic OF
Panama. This is ono of the stains on
the American shield, and the people OF
the country should not forget the part
played by our Government in fonent-
ing the instruction on the 1sthmus
.pG ir1 cd f,, IN, 4
the Republic.
There are number of things OF the
same general character for which the
Republican administrations at Wash
ington have been Responsible; not Mr.,
Taft's Administration, we are glad to
say, because we like the man. even
though we despise his politics, but dur
ing the Administrations of his Repub-
liean predecessors. There was the case
of Hawaii, for example. the lawful
government of which was overthrown
and treaty of annexation negotiated
between a Provisional Government
of the islands and the United States
This treaty was submitted to the Senate
Tor ratification during the administra-
tion of President Harrison. Upon the
accession OF Grover Cleveland the pro-
posed treaty was withdrawn from the
senate for examination, and a Special
Commissioners was dispatched to Hon
oluiu TO make an impartial invesUea-
ton of the circumstances attending tt.r
CHANGE nj Epuer,,,o,,.
conditions bearing upon the subject of
the treaty. In a special message to the
Senate, after this Commissioner had
made his investigation. Mr.. Cleveland
SAID 10 tho Congress that at the time
this treaty was submitted to the SEN |
ate the ownership of Hawaii was ten
dered to ns by a Provisional Govern I
ment set up to succeed the constitu-
tional ruler Of, the islands, who had
been dethr:anSa". avid that such Pro-
Nisional Government had neither .the I
sanction of popular revolution or SUI
frage
Mr. Cleveland proceeded upon the
assumption that the national honesty
should be regarded in such matters ana
that right and Justice should deter |
mine the path to be followed in treat
ing this subject That, unquesuon-
ably. was the honest course Tor tho
United States to pursue, but The plea
for national honesty did not avail, and
Hawaii was hitched on to our Amer
lean establishment.
Then there was the case. during the
last Administration, of san Domingo,
and the outrageous abuse OF Tic
Executive authority, which negotiated
treaty with that friendly Power for
the purpose, as alleged. Of administer.
Ing its finances.
These are several significant in
stances in the development Of Tho
United States into q great World
Power as dishonoring to the natiopal
Integrity as they were gratifying ia
those who had axes to grind or sinister
purposes to serve.
We wish. when Mr., Taft can spare a
few minutes, he would review these
several abuses of Executive authority
for the information Of The public ana
in explanation of the policy he has gen
orally pursued of holding the law above
the mob
A coon PRAYER Fois TIE Fairly