The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-06
From the N. Y. Herald.
More War-A Rupture with England.

the conclusion tndt tne uiiiCuity VIZ"
France, growing out of the bitter cores
pondence between MIR. Poussin, the French
Minister, and Mr.. Clayton, the American
Secretary of State, was nothing at all, and
that, Notwithstanding all that had been
said by Mr.. Clayton's chief organ, and
his newspapers in general, it was nothing
more or less than a humbug, the commu-
nifty is again startled by the announce
ment that sharp correspondence had re-
Gently taken place between Mr.. Champion,
the British charge, at Washington, and
the American government, in relation to
the pretentions put forth by the former gov
ernment, on Nicaragua.
Our readers are no doubt aware that
the government of Nicaragua granted GER
tain privileges to company of American
citizens, for the purpose of enabling them
to unite the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at
that point. This grant has been declared
invalid by the British government, who,
through their consul in this city, short
time since, officially informed the gentle
men of the company referred 10, that the
British government repudiated, and would
not acknowledge the grant, on the ground
that it conferred privileges which the gov
ernment of Nicaragua did not possess,
and which interfered with the rights OF His
Majesty, the King of Mosquito, which
rights, and whose territory, the British
government had guaranteed to that august
sovereign.
The American government and the
American people have not been idle spec
tators of the doings of the British govern
ment in Nicaragua. They have closely
watched the intrigues of that power for
effecting control over that part Of Nicara-
qua, for attaining foothold there, and
the means and devices which it has re-
stored to for the purpose OF eftectlng its
object The American government has
been called upon to interfere, and protest
against those proceedings, from time to
time, but we believe it took no action in
the matter until it assumed form which
admitted of no mistake. When the Off
cial communication of the British consul
in New York appeared, the question as
sumed such form that it could not be
overlooked. Not only was the doctrine
laid down by Mr.. Madison (and asserted
from his presidency to the present time)
invaded, but the rights and privileges of
American citizens were assailed. Then it
was that the subject was taken in hand by
the American government, and the cor
respondence between the American Sec
retary of State and Mr.. Champion, the
British charge at Washington, commenced.
From what we have learned, the views of
those tunctionaries clash-the exclusive
pretentions which the British government
have asserted in Nicaragua are maintain
ed by its charge no doubt under the ad-
vice of his government, while they are de-
MED by the American government, as they
ought to be. The British wish TO control
the only point at which water commu-
nication, destined to become the highway
of the world, can be established and their
claim is no, recognized by the American
government.
Such is the present condition of this
matter, which is infinitely more important
in all its bearings, than the controversy
between Mr.. Clayton and Mr. Poussin re-
specting point of etiquette, out of which
the cabinet at Washington cndeavored to
make a great noise. As far as this sub
iect is concerned, we shall support the ad-
ministration with all our force and infu-
ence, if they take the right position against
British pretentions. They may 60 to war
with Great Britain tomorrow ifthey please.
on the rights and questions involved in the
controversy-we are with them. 1t has
been our duty, as an Independent journal
lists, to disagree with the cabinet in almost
every step hitherto taken by it in relation
to our foreign policy, since their accession
of power We disagree entirely in theil
neg glect to acknowledge the independence
of Hungary, at time when such recog-
milton would have been of essential ser
vice to that country, when she was con
tending single-handed against powerful
alliance. We did the same in regard tc
the Roman question; and we considered
ourselves bound by a high sense Of duty
to disapprove of the course pursued b.
Mr.. Clayton and the cabinet, in using tn
power and influence of this great country
under an antiquated law, to prevent tn
unhappy people of Cuba from achievin!
their independence. In fact, we have dis
agreed with the cabinet in all its foreig
policy, but that which is probably con
nected with Great Britain in the Nicara
qua and Mosquito business. British o
any European Intervention, must not b
f tolerated on this continent, and the right
of our citizens must be vindcated and uF
, held, at all and every hazard, even if wa
f with England should be the consequence
, The United States have, from time to tim'
asserted this doctrine, and protest sin tn
f strongest language that official courtes
would allow against any infringemel
: of it by any European power, but this
d the first time that we have ever, as we
!, been called upon to reduce it to practic
It That doctrine is part Of our fundament
o law--it is deeply imprinted on the minc
of the American people, and it must |