The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-05

PaILADnLpHrA, Nov. Is, ls4s.


The Nicaragua QUESTION
now come to the Nicaragua treaties and the circuu
stances proximate and approximate which gave them
birth. -,.a
The war Of 1912 with Great Britain-one Of those de-
cided measures which prove the wisdom and patriotism
OF democratic adminstaion--was closed BY the truce
of Ghent generally called treaty concluded by Mr.
for the United States, being made at the very Pc
Rod OF time when fortune had began 10 smile upon
arms by sea and landwhen the veterans OF the enemy
shores OF the Canadasher squadrons driven with de-
feat from all the lakes, so efectuay that not hostile
ship was 10 be found floating their surface and her
naval pride humbled on the ocean.
These scenes iof triumph and glory were suddenly
closed upon us by this Truce at Ghen settled upon the
principle Of satu quo ante beim, without securing 70
us the rights for which we entered into the contest and
we had entitled ourselves TO demand and receive from
their inherent justice and our successes in the war
Thus our second war with England developed TO her
the existence or the first time since her triumph over
rival in the western hemisphere; and in the western
hemisphere was that rival to be met and retarded in her
career OF commercial greatness and superiority
Study with care the movements intrigaes and diplo,
macy OF England in the Antilles, the Pacific islands and
coasts, in Central America and throughout the western
hemisphere, and no intelligent mind can fail to discover,
mixed with the particular advantage sought to be secured
in each particular event, the ingredient OF
AND ALL-PERvADNG MOTIVE OR INTENT to battle, to rus-
trae or to supersede the movements interests, and adj
vancement OF the United States This is so plain and
this rule Of action in her. and will be the key to unlock
her motives and movements in Central America.
We have already explained how she obtained foot
hold on the Main But il was soon discovered that the
Mosquito Kings red mantle would hot suffice to cover
the whole country she coveted, and reach the banks Of
the Rio de st. Juan, unless stretched out TO do SO and
by the aid Of this cousin to Victoria the territory and in
must be violated with impuny To effect this fond OBJ
ect this black ally ndoctrinated with the idea to
claim the territory and sgged on BY supplies ofarms and
vance upon i-they following their royal cousin until
they arrived upon the ST. juan stretching his Maestys
mantle upon IDS banks, and fixing it there, BY planting
colony at its mouth called Gaytown, driving back the
white man OF Nicaragua from his territory, while at
peace with him. through the fundamentally 81 this black
ally.
After thus fixing herself at the throat Of the great
keeping up the feverish state Of feeling between h
Claimants and trace, by the slime Of the intruder,
her serpent course up the river until suddenly come
exploring and appropatng these peaceful waters for
future occupancy and proftthe Ncaraguans having
artillery its banks, or naval power on its bosom, to
repel the intruder or enforce their jurisdiction.
By this tssue of arce, force and interference, Eng
land advanced thus far in her sinister and selfish Objects
when she suddenly received check, and which would
have certainly been followed by check mate move. had
the present Secretary OF Stale preferred the triumph OF his
csunty against her sleepess rival and opponent to the
low and partisan qualification Of dealing stab with the
dagger which he appears to have placed under his sleeve
minstralon which has just passed from power .
have said that an opportunity was given to check.
mate England in Central America by the ratification OF
Hises Nicaragua treaty; which golden opportunity has
been lost by the time servings partisan policy OF the Sec
rotary OF State.
That treaty commended itself to the American people,
being based upon the Monroe and Polk declaration
giving to this weak and struggling republic of Nicaragua
the protection and sympathy OF the only great people to
whom she could appeal she having entitled herself fully
to that sympathy and protection by her generous cesson
of important rights, waving more entcing offers from
England and France
In addition to these primary provocaves for favorable
action was the more particular one OF the advantageous
articles of the treaty for the United States in regard to
her future commerce and coaswse trade with the central
parts OF the continent and the Pacific shores.
All these cogent reasons could not prevail with our-l
had almost said British Secretary The treaty was not
ment and assent Thus neglected to be pursued this
manly, just, and patriotic coursethe only in
publican government which can safely be pursued TO
protect us from error; for such principles OF action
something like the great eontiudnees of nature which
make the salubnty OF the ocean and atmosphere-pre.
serving their activity, while they impel and guide each
other into the general OF natural safety and wis.,
dom but 80 conuerso, the most dangerous and objec.
tionabe plunged into that public could
adopt involving negotiations and arrangements with the
very power hose had been the moving OF all
the complaints and troubles in Nicaragua including all
the onooery TO come OF bets and conversations with
the exercised negotiaor England might select and has
selected.
In brief instead Of accepting this well digesed ea.
y for amendment and ratification, or notification, we
find the Secretary sending out charge, whose d.
pomac faculties were yet 10 the bud who, acting upon
his Instructions the implied assent OF his superior,
gathered from toddged talk. sends home another treaty,
which, when "oyerb is made of it, is found based upon
deceptive promise Of the protection OF the great American
declaration We say deceptive, because Immediately
il semi officially announced that the Secretary protests
against the principle upon which il is negotiated
II is not proclaimed. The public is the tener. hooks
OF anxiety TO hear its announcement They are kept
hanging there until the suspense has become painful and
the presshe usual medium by which the public expec-
taton finds yoice-intmates TO the government official
that expectation.
What response do we receive Accompanied with vitu.
peatve illusions from the government organs against the
press, the public remorselessly myshed with col
umns Of twatile, and puzzled in the u possietis,
that compelled 10 believe that surrender is
tempaed OF the Monroe and Polk declaration, the reec-
ton OF the two treaties, and refusal OF the protection
coveDanted for 10 the weak and conhding republic OF
Nicaragua Thus the public interests and feelings are
toyed and tried with in the most papabe apd contemp
tuous manner.
There was but one way now left in which the Secre.
tary could 20 wrong and Of that way he avas himself,
with his characteristic adroitness, by actually placing
himself in communication with the British Foreign or.
fee, thus Gaping of all the other unfortunate depar
lures and subtefuges 10 evade the straightforward
w. and patriotic course OF ratifyng Just and advanta-
geous treaty for the United States negotiated under the
auspices OF previous administration:
have thus given you syllabus OF the first six months
exhibitions at the State Department, commencing with
the interference with the steamer United States, and end
ing with pocketing the Nicaragua treaties.
In conclusion, would ask, Have not had exhibited
a want OF wisdom, hrmness and dignity, OF knowledge,
TACT and skill Are not the apprehensons felt for the
successful administration OF our foreign relations well
founded
What are we To hope for, Why, il the President is
not forced TO awakeand we are on the eve of meeting
of Copgresswe rest our hopes in that body, and in the