Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-07
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

a source friendly to the Administration; not that
truth is more true for its source, be that what it
may, but because, unhapply, in this free country,
government is become so much mere party insti-
tution that COUNSEL however wise or cogent, loses
all weight if not Of approved origin. 1t will occa-
sion some anxiety in the public mind when it is
seen that leading, journal Of the Administration
finds cause to apprekend course of policy in our
foreign relations which would violate the pubic
faith to gain an object which would be inexpedent
even if it were right We trust, however, that the
Union" has not correctly interpreted the E1ecu-
tive views.
FROM NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
THE CLAYTON BULwER TREATY.-The discussion to
which this treaty has given rise in the Senate of the Uni
ted States and in party journals shows that disposition
prevails to render the treaty unpopular with the country
The question whether it wise expedient to enter
into treaty with Great Britain subject that con-
intimately, viz the various passage ways over
the IstAmus Of Darien is very different from that
presented to the country viz shall its spulaons
be faithfully performed In respect to this we have but
little to say The treaty is made. 1t was made in the
mode appointed by the Constitution and ratified by
the Senate of the United States There is minority
that can be pleaded by nations Our Government has
civilized and barbarous nations and know of
tracts that should be faithfully complied with than
those which found to be less beneficial than was
imagined The force of the treaty cannot be weakened
any such grounds without manifest and deep disgrace
to the country The Washington Union attacks the treaty
on another but not tenabe ground that is to say
that by Of the of Great Britain it has become
either void vodable The matter of which this ground
is alleged is the attempt last year the part of British
cruiser to aid the Mosquito authorities in the collection of
port duties in disregard it asserts of the first article
of the treaty, which prohibits either party from maintain
ing jurisdiction, making settlements the prejudice
Of the other There several but complete
this position. In the first place, the Of the British
cruiser Immediately dsafrmed by the British Gov
ernment The Disturbance was accepted the time
satisfactory solemn treaty between nations cannot be
affected by the unauthorized acts of agents of the
Government and especially when those acts were
promptly dsamed by the principal and particu-
lary after the acceptance Of apology by the party
which had right to complain. But if not con-
cuded by that from setting up that the treaty is either
void voidab there other which make the
ground improper The party which intends take that
ground is bound in good faith to take it Immediately.
The emission take it within reasonable time is ad-
mission that the treaty stands. BY failure then to
urge that became invalid and by asking and receiving
explanations took position which admitted its legal
efficacy There is therefore pretence for the ground
put forth by the Union that the treaty is either void or
yodable Our Government the contrary by its most
solemn has given renewed vitality to the instrument
II in operation under the obligation which holds
us to compliance with all other treaties whatsoever; an
obligation that cannot evade without disgrace or at
tempt TO weaken without manifest improprety
But admitting for the sake of argument that the max
ing of the treaty was still open question, how should
all IL ha ,oiSa
that all other nations shall be driven to navigate the
Cape and that we alone shall enjoy the benefits Of cut
across the narrow sthmus Of Daren This is not merely
an American aueson, the Union insists it is ques
ton that nteress the commercial world and must be
decided ort is right to decide it. the broad in
teress Of general commerce We need no exclusive ad-
yanages The growth which is fostered by unnatural
stimulants, and encouraged by excluding competition,
will be strong and vigorous 1t is industry
enterprise and bodness under fair competition with the
nations Of the world that rely with most certainty for
enduring advantage The Clayton and Bulwer treaty is
tho fruit of these sentiments but it is supported by pc
cuar reasons resulting from antecedent claims on the
part Of Great Britain. She abandoned the making
of the treaty quasi possession to portion Of the terri
tory which the treaty operates. 1t is well known
that since the visit Of the great Humboldt to that region
al nations have turned their attention to the question Of
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific, at the
various points indicated by that naturalist and philoso
pher. His capacous mind applied to that question
for the benefit Of the human race and he lives at
the advanced age Of eighyhree, with his intellect yet
mighty to witness a movement in behalf Of his noble
specuations embracing the interests Of all commercial
nations The Union would give to this movement limit
ed, sectional and selfish character forgetting that long
Aneceden to right TO occupy the Pacific coast ac-
CURED in the late war; surveys had been made at Mica
ragua by the British Government that she had acquired
by the consent Of the local authorities rights Of inn
Porant character Mt that commanding route and that
she released them when the treaty in question made
Subsequent events have il is true deepened the interest
with winch the United States regard this subject The
isthnus Is as 1t were, nterposed between Eastern
and western possessions. But other nations have pos
sessions ana commerce in both oceans and they cannot
be expected to surrender their ancient claims and nte
rests to the recent claims and interests Of this country
We have opened the doors Of the United states to tn,
whole world Emigration is rushing in from All parts o
the hababe globe and, If have not become we ar,
fast becoming deeply influenced by the presence of DO
pulaon which converts from homogeneous people /,
one of wholly different character Americans are fas
surrenderng their peculiar advantages within their nc
knowedged limits and jurisdiction to others and yet OF
behalf of thus mixed and general and which ha
bituay surrenders TO strangers controlling interest IN III
soperegny of the country the Union claims, arains
those who yet remain abroad that passagevay
two oceans the territory of another Power shall b
sefshy grasped by u.s. to the exclusion Of the residue
the human The ground is untenable, apart from
considerations growing Of the existence OF the treaty
and claim that honest square, and prompt fulfil
ment Of its provisions shall be made by our Government