Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-27
Col. Kinney's Central American Scheme
The Press--And the Government.


or oppose anything because it is favored by
those with whom we differ on other matters.
In this affair Of Colonel Kinney's expedition to
make a settlement of Americans In Central
America, though the press generally speaks
favorably Of the scheme, certain journals are
hostile to ii, and their hostility, we suppose,
arises from political prejudices, private inter
csts, or partisan opposition. For example, it
was enough for tho movement to have south
crn direction, though slavery be not spoken Of
or contemplated, 10 arouse the New York Tri-
bunc against It. The bare possibility Of a
southern influence was sufficient It required
nothing more than that the Washington Union
and the administration should look upon the
project with favor, to make some Of the opposi-
ton papers unfayorablc
In this respect, the New York Herald occu-
pies an anamolous position. From the article
in the issue Of the 2Sd on the Colonel Kin
ney expedition" II evidently fayors the scheme,
while II dcnounocs the administration. II is
not the policy Of the Herald to oppose what Is
popular, or what is calculated to promote our
commercial interests, and to spread American
influence and enterprise ON the American con-
tincnt while It's invariable course Is opposition
TO the administration.
The Herald shows what magnificent results
came from the United States government favor
ing the Texas liberators- the annexation Of
Texas, the acquisition of New Mexico, Utah,
and the gold country Of California, and opened
vast regions to American civilization and enter
prise and we may add, established our empire
on the Pacific, destined to carry civilization and
regeneration into the populous countries Of
Asia Hero is the paragraph:
I" Tho history of Texas is doubtless, the guild
ing star 70 this magnificent scheme. The liberia
ton Of Texas was effected by colonists and means
and munitions Of war from the United States. The
complete success Of that enterprise and OF its MIL
itary chicflain, General Houston, might wen tempt
= more prudent and cautious man than Col, Kin
ney 10 strike, upon the first opportunity, for the
birh distinctions achieved by the hero Of San ia
cinto. We remember well the facts connected
with the liberation OF Texas. The funds for that
important movement, 10 very material extent,
were loaned from the New York custom-house,
public funds advanced in private way. The sub
sequent deficiency In the returns to the Treasury
Department from the customs here, OF million
and a quarter Of hard cash, is mainly chsrgcsble to
Texas; but how much Of the other three or four
millions Of the official defalcations which signal
ized Mr.. Van Barens administration was diverted
10 the same channel we have no mcans Of estims-
ting. IL Is enough that private advances from our
public treasury largely aided in securing the indie
pendence and the annexation OF Texas, and that
these loans and those achievements resulted also
In the subsequent acquisition Of New Mexico Utah,
and the gold country Of California Thus the
Treasury has been amply reimbursed for its losses
Vast regions have been opened TO American civil