Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-30

tories, is to constitute precedent sim
liar outbreaks may be repeated In the
future: and the responsibility for them
will rest entirely upon the United States
Colombia has never recognized the prin-
ciple Of secession, chiefly because obliga-
lions and contracts entered into with
foreign nations and individuals are based
upon the possessions OF the State at the
time such treaties or contracts are made.
If the people of Panama, animated by the
noble sentiments which inspire men OF
action to secure more rapid progress.
had declared their independence after
victories gained against tho governing,
or misgoverning, authorities; If they
had organized government, dictated
laws, and had proved to the world their
fitness for sef-government, without
doubt they would have been entitled to
recognition as an Independent state by
all other nations. But, in the absence Of
all these conditions and In the attitude
of the government OF the United States
| In It's negotiations with Colombia, it is
evident that recognition would have been
denied to Panama If It had not possessed
the best route for the Tsthmian canal.
Governments follow each other with
changes OF policy demanded by the cir
cumstances OF the hour, hut the national
sentiment OF consideration of the rights
of others and the sense of justice of the
people never change. Jealous OF the ma
tlonal honor, the great bulk OF Amer
lean citizens have never sanctioned the
official methods adopted in 1903 to Sc
cure possession of the isthmus; nor will
they close their ears to the universal
demand for PREPARATION to that country
for the violation of her sovereign righte
by an American government. That un-
preoedented act has largely alienatod the
confidence of the south In the good faith
of the north: but firmly believe that
Mr.. Wilson'S administration, in the full
flment of its undoubtedly sincere pro
fession of those high principles which
create respect for the countries which
enforce them. will remove that blot from
the national escutcheon.
The claims of Colombia in this mat
ter do not merely embody monetary
compensation for the material losses in
volved in the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF her ter
ritory. They include, as a paramount
consideration, a recognition Of the mora
wrong inflicted upon her and, by re1ec
ton, upon all the other Latin countries
by an attack on her territorial integrity
soemnly guaranteed at an earlier perio'
by binding treaty obligations of tn
United States.
remember during the centennial o
} 1870, accompanying the late emperor o
; Brazil on a visit 10 the Philadelphia eX
position, where I read on large map:
'177s--3,0oO00O of English colonists il
10 colonies.
"1s7e-4O, 10000 of free men, dominatini
from ocean to ocean.
why should there not he written owe
. the portals Of the San Francisco expo
sition in 1915:
100000 Of free men, who have con
structed and opened the Panama cana
who have rendered the tropical region
! healthy, and who have done justice t
Colombia in her claims respecting Pane
| map
With that inscription justified by pei
Torrance the American flag would floa
over the two oceans to the glory Of II
nationality and to the satisfaction c
Latin-America whore the question Of tn
, Panama canal is OF absorbing interes
and Importance (Stokes)