The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-04-03
PATRIOT AND STATESMAN

Oscar w. Underwood, in the house
of representatives Friday, spoke for
those democrats who believe in adher-
ing to platform pledges and for those
Americans who believe that this coun-
try should not always bow to the will
of European powers in doing some
thing for its own people,
Mr.. Underwood opposed the bill re-
pealing that portion of the Panama ca
nal act which exempts American
ships from the payment of canal tolls.
In this position, the house leader for
the first time, goes counter to the
wishes of the president, who has ap-
peared personally before congress
with plea that the exemption be
repealed. The spectacle of the leader
of party in legislation opposing the
policy of the administration as eX-
pressed by the occupant of the White
House naturally arouses worldwide
AhtOl COZ CSpSCldIly III d quSSLIOA "
such Importance as the canal toll
question
In his speech, which the Tribune
printed yesterday, the democratic
leader takes the high ground that
there is an "un-American spirit of
/ surrender" involved in this concession
to the powers of Europe He cites
the democratic platform and says
there can be no installing the lam
guage of its declaration on the subject
or the wisdom and sincerity of those
who placed that plank in the platform
He gives reasons why the exemption
of American ships should be maintain
ed against whatever opposition is
manifested to it and points out that
the cry of subsidy is untenable. 1t
has been the policy of the democratic
party, he says, to favor American ship
ping, not by direct subsidies, but by
subventions and concessions-and
this policy should be adhered to, now
! that the country is in position to do
its own shipping substantial benefit
Mr.. Underwood ridicules the idea of
the United States offending the "sen-
| timent of Europe" Where, and when,
he asks, has the sentiment of Europe
ever been with this country on any
material question where the interests
of European business or commerce
were at stake? Why should we, at this
late date, attempt to fashion our own
national policies to suit the sentiment
of foreign powers, which have always
been opposed to our interests and
grasping all they could for them.
selves.
Mr.. Underwood points out that the
Suez canal cost one-third of what the
Panama canal has cost, yet Great
Britain charges toll of $1.30, while
the charge for the Panama canal is
only $1.20. The subsidies granted by
Europeon countries to their shipping
have practically driven American
ships from the seas; yet we are asked
to refuse any recognition or favorit
ism to our own ships, for the benefit
of these powers of Europe.
Mr.. Underwood's analysis of the
question is mastery, and, if the house
democrats listen to reason and to the
voice of American patriotism, they
will follow their leader in his course,
rather than join in bowling obsequious-
| ly to Great Britain. The movement to
repeal the exemption of American
ships is not only undemocratic, but it
is un-American. AS Mr.. Underwood
says, had the colonies showed similar
suhserviency to the European powers
the independence of the nation would
never have been declared and won.
The speech of Mr.. Underwood on
this question stamps him as a patriot
and a statesman, establishes him as
strict adherent of party principle
and declared policy, and makes him a
much greater man than he was be-
fore. His position, doubtless, will not
be sustained by congress, which ap-
pears to be directly under the control
of the White House; but it will be
sustained by the great majority of the
people of the United States.-Tampa
Tribune.
If the bill recently introduced in