574 Presidential Addresses 



possible; it is one of those great works which only a 

 great nation can undertake with prospects of suc- 

 cess, and which when done are not only permanent 

 assets in the nation's material interests, but standing 

 monuments to its constructive ability. 



I am glad to be able to announce to you that our 

 negotiations on this subject with Great Britain, con- 

 ducted on both sides in a spirit of friendliness and 

 mutual good-will and respect, have resulted in my 

 being able to lay before the Senate a treaty which 

 if ratified will enable us to begin preparations for an 

 Isthmian Canal at any time, and which guarantees to 

 this Nation every right that it has ever asked in con- 

 nection with the canal. In this treaty, the old Clay- 

 ton-Bulwer treaty, so long recognized as inadequate 

 to supply the base for the construction and main- 

 tenance of a necessarily American ship canal, is 

 abrogated. It specifically provides that the United 

 States alone shall do the work of building and as- 

 sume the responsibility of safeguarding the canal and 

 shall regulate its neutral use by all nations on terms 

 of equality without the guarantee or interference 

 of any outside nation from any quarter. The signed 

 treaty will at once be laid before the Senate, and if 

 approved the Congress can then proceed to give ef- 

 fect to the advantages it secures us by providing for 

 the building of the canal. 



The true end of every great and free people should 

 be self-respecting peace; and this Nation most ear- 

 nestly desires sincere and cordial friendship with all 



