The Panama Canal stands out as one of the most noteworthy contributions that the Teutonic race has made toward the material improvement of the world.  So regarding it, Englishmen and Germans may take some pride to themselves from this great achievement of the Americans.  The Teutonic race has its limitations.  It is deficient in the gaiety of mind, the expansiveness of heart, which add so largely to human happiness.  Its bent has lain in directions that are, superficially at all events, less attractive.  But by its cult of cleanliness, self-control, and efficiency, it has given a new meaning to civilization; it has invented Puritanism, the gospel of the day’s work, and the water-closet.  These reflections may not seem very apposite to the subject of the Canal; but they will suggest themselves to one who arrives in Panama after traveling through the Latin States of South America.

It was, however, by some sacrifice of moral sense that the United States gained control of the Isthmus.  They offered a financial deal to the republic of Colombia:  the terms were liberal, and the Colombian Government had in principle no objection to make money by the grant of a perpetual lease of so much land as was needed for the Canal.  But it haggled unreasonably over the details, with the object of delaying business until the period of the French concession had expired, so that it might secure, not only its own share of the compensation, but the share that was to be paid to the French investors whose rights and achievements were taken over by the United States.  A revolution occurred:  the province of Panama declared its independence of Colombia, and at once completed the bargain.  The revolution was so exceedingly opportune in the interests of the United States, and of the French concessionaires, that it is impossible not to suspect its instigation in these interests.  Beyond a doubt the United States assisted the revolutionaries:  they prevented the Colombian forces from attacking them.  Panama was originally independent of Colombia, and had been badly treated by the Colombian Government, which, in its distant capital of Bogota, was out of touch with Panamanian interests, and returned to the province but a very small share of its taxes.  But, however this may be, we may take it, without straining facts, that the United States, being unable to bring Colombia to terms, evicted her in favor of a more pliable authority.  This is not in accord with Christian morality.  Nor are political dealings generally.  And, from a practical point of view, it was preposterous that the cupidity of some Colombian politicians should stand in the way of an improvement in geography.  The agreement with the newly born republic of Panama gave the United States a perpetual lease of a strip of land, ten miles broad, across the Isthmus.  This is styled the “Canal Zone.”  The Latin towns of Panama and Colon fall within its limits.  But they are expressly excluded from the United States jurisdiction.