New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-31
Intervention In behalf OF South American
Independence.
To he Editor Of The Tribune;

NEw.YoRE, Jan. 25, 1851.
To the Editor Of The Tri5Hne
In your paper of the 9th inst there is an article
entitled England in Central America the con-
GLIDING portion of which, it strikes me, IS calcua
ed to convey an impression different probably from
thatwhich you intended. The following sentence
will serve as an example,
"Tbe whole assumption that viii dog any European
Nation which extends her sway on this Continent WnSn
gas having no foundation in sct in right and Is utterly
1uw Orthy OF q Nation which does not choose 70 say mOio
than # is prepared to make good
l believe, Mr.. Editor, that there is II higher
law" than the law of treaties, which should re5a'
late the affairs Of Nations as Of individuals. be-
lieve there is a law obligatory alike upon Nations
as upon individuals to protect the weak from the
ageressons ofthe strong. When France invaded
Republican Rome, this law should have been IN
voked for the protection of the latter; and the
Nations which looked on and witnessed the de-
struction of Roman Liberty, were participants IN
the guilt of that henous act.
So of Hungary The law of Nations and the
law of Morality made resistance to the Russian
invasion a duty obligatory upon every civilized
Government at least in Europe. Should Swift
zerlsnd, even now threatened, be invaded by the
leagued despots of Europe, is there no higher
law than that of Treaties on which Switzer-
land could appeal to Humanity for support
contend that there is. And the same principles
which would apply to Rome, to Hungary, and
to Switzerland, | would also apply to Central
America Nay, these principles apply with much
greater force to the last named country than to
either Rome or Hungary and for this reason
that the States Of Central America have long
been recognized among the family of civilized ma
tions, and are consequently entitled to the pro-
lection of international law. None OF them, adj
nit. is as important or interesting generally
speaking, as Rome or Hungary, but the principle
involved is the same Indeed, the case as re
CARDS the Central American States, is much
stroneer than as regards the others. For, you
are aware that in Europe there certain trea-
ties binding down the respective Governments to
maintain q certain order OF things. No such trea-
ties bind our Government. The case, then, pre-
cents itself 10 US in this simple iorm-Can we,
with honor, or rather without absolute d'ShoR0F'
permit a powerful nation to come here and tram
pie upon these little Republics. seize their terri
tory, and blockade their ports Put all treaties
out of the way, ! ask if there be no lGw TO which
these States can appeal If you decide not, there
is Chaos come again, and might makes right
must become the motto OF the nations But, l
fondly hope, you did not mean to convey the In
preston which many, regret to say, have de-
rived from the concluding portion OF your article
Your paper has been conspicuous Tor It's advo
cacv Of the cause of European Democracy. Can
ue more effectually serve that cause than by CIV
ing to the Nations of Europe the example oil
country governed. in the conduct Of its interna-
tiona affairs by the principles OF Justice Morality
and Truth Yours with great respect,
""O DAILY READER.