New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-22
The Central American Question.

We have not been able to agree either in
the justice or wisdom of the attacks poured
upon the Administration and the British
ambassador at Washington in reference to
this question, and though we have thereby
incurred our full share of the same gentle
rebuking, we still see no reason to Join in
the cry set up against them by political
and national animosities.
What are the facts in the case Great
Britain, under cover of a Protectorate -
the nature Of which it is not our purpose
here to discuss, - occupies and has long oc-
cupied San Juan de Nicaragua. the eastern
sv.n.i.4us ur me proposed interOceanic Ca
nal. By the treaty negotiated by Messrs.
Clayton and Bulwer, she is bound to re-
nounce that occupation. The obligation is
as explicit as the occupation is notorious.
For the latter is as really and undeniably
British as the occupation of Kingston or of
ST. Helena. San Juan is occupied by Brit
ish subjects and authorities, under the Brit
ish flag, and protected by British cannon.
Nor do we understand that the British Gov
eminent or any of its agents seeks to deny
or disguise this fact. There is then no de-
nying nor evading the obligation to abandon
the place.
Now, we are no apologists for England,
either in her home or her foreign policy.
We neither revere her monarchy, nor ad-
mire her aristocracy, nor bow to her COM
merce even when it arrays itself in the
sleeps clothing of Freedom. AS demo-
Gratis and Americans, we are the antago-
nists of them all from both principle and
inclination. And we protest that we have
not been outwitted by Lord PalmerstOn nor
caioled by the Establishments of Sir Henry
Bulwer. We are ready to admit that both
those gentlemen are up to a great deal OF
sharp practice, and as public men care
more for the interests of English COM
merce than for those of any other country.
But, so far as now informed, we are not
ready to admit that they are knaves from
the mere delight of knavery, still less that
they are arrant fools. For that we mus
have new evidence.
What an absurdity to suppose that they
would enter into pledge, under all the So
IDENTITIES of a treaty, with no other Pur-
pose than to turn around and break it in the
face of the world No reason can be ad-
duced in support of such a notion. The
treaty was not made in haste, nor on COM
pulsion. 1t was made deliberately, and be-
cause the interests of their country would
be advanced by making it. And being
made, every consideration Of common
sense, to say nothing of higher motives,
dictates that it be kept. We believe that
it will be, and shall so believe till we see
decisive proof to the contrary.
Against this belief the acts of Mr.. Chat
field are the only facts to be urged. The
continued occupation of San Juanu up to the
present time, or even little longer, is
not conclusive against it, for the treaty spe-
CITES no day for the occupation to cease.
No man could expect Great Britain to
leave San Juan the day after the ratiica.
ton was exchanged. All that can be re
CURED by the terms of the treaty is thai
she should found no new establishments in
Central America, and that she should aban-
don those she already holds within rea-
sOnable time; at any rate, so that they shall
not interfere with the construction Of the