American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-13

| JSS> ''o'' NhO SONCIuUutut lHC iCIub-
he. 1 am not yet advised OF the deter
mination of that government. lfa mea-
sure SD extraordinary in its character,
ana 80 clearly contrary TO treaty stipu.
la'ions. and the contract rights of the
Panama Railroad Company. composed
mostly of American citizens, should he
persisted in, it will be the duty of the
United States to resist its execution.
| regret exceedingly that occa-
sion exists of still graver impor, in our
relations with the Republic of New
Granada. On the 18th day Of April
last a riotous assemblage of the imhabi-
tants of Panama committed a violent
and outrageous attack on the premises
OF the railroad company, and the pas.
sengers, and other persons ia or near
the same, involving tho death of sevo-
raj citizens of the United States, the
pillage of many others and the destruc-
ton of large amount of property be-
longing TO the railroad company.
caused full investigation Of that event
To be made, and the result shows salts
tactorily that complete responsibility
for what occurred attaches to The gov
| W 4NCW NitdHhud nave
therefore demanded Of that government
that the perpetrators of the wrongs in
question should be punished; that pro-
vision should be made for the families
of citizens of the United States who
were killed, with full idemuity for the
property pillaged or destroyed.
The present condition Of the Isthm us ofPana-
ma, in so far as regards the security of persons
and property passing over 1t, requires serious
consideration. Recent incidents tend to show
that the local authorities cannot be relied on
10 maintain the public peace Of Panama, &
there is just ground for apprehension that a
portion Of the inhabitants are meditatns
further outrages, without adequate measures
Tor the security and protection OF persons or
property having been taken, either by the
State of Panama, or the general government
Of New Grenada.
! Under the guarantees of treaty, citizens of
the United States have, by the outlay of sew
eral millions of dollars, constructed rail
road across the lsthmus, and it has become
the main route between our Atlantic and
Pacific possessions, over which multitudes
OF our citizens and vast amount of proper
" are constantly passing-to the security &
protection Of all which, and the continuance
OF the public advantages involved, il is i'm
States 10 be indifferent.
have deemed the danger Of that recurrence
Of scenes Of lawless violence in this quarter
so imminent as TO make il my duty to sta =
ton part of our naval force in the harbors
of the Panama and Aspiuwall, in order to
protect the persons and property Of the citi
Zens OF the United States in those ports, and
TO insure 10 them sale passage across the
lsthmus. And it would in my Judgment,
be unwise TO withdraw the naval force now
in those ports, until, by the spontaneous
action OF the republic Of New Grenada, or
otherwise, some adequate arrangement shall
have been made for The protection and Sc
curly of n line of inter.oceanic communi
cation so important al this time. not to the
United Sta.as only, but to all other mara
time States both OF Europe and America
Meanwhile, negotiations have been insti-
tu,ed by means of special commission to
obtain from New Grenada foil indemnity
for injuries received by our citizens on the
lsihmus, and satisfactory security for the
general interests Of the United States.
In addressing to you my last annual mes.
| sage, the occasion seems to me an apprO-
pirate one 10 express my congratulations in
view of tho peace, greatness and felicity
which the United States now possess and
enjoy. TIE point you to the state of the va
r:ous departments of the government, and
OF all the great branches OF the public ser.
vice, civil and military, in order 10 speak of
the intelligence and the integrity which per-
vades the whole, would be TO Indicate but
imperfecty the administrative condition Of
the country, and the beneficial effects Of
that on the general welfare. Nor would it
suffice to say that the nation is actually at
| peace a. home and abroad; that its indus
| trial interests are prosperous; that the can
| vasS OF its mariners whltens every sea; 6
! the plOu.h Of its husbundnen is marching
steadily onward to the bloodess conquest
OF the continent; that cities and populous
States are sprlnging up, as il by enchant-
men,, from the bosom OF our western wilGS
and that the courageous energy OF our PEG.
| pie is making these United States the great
republic Of he world. Those results have
not been attained without passing through
| trials and perils, by experience OF which, s.
thus only, nations can harden into manhood,
| Our inreiahers were trained TO the wisdona
which conceived and The courage which a.
chieved independence, by the circumstances
| which surround them, and they were thus
made capable of The creation OF the repub.
lie. 1t devoved ON the next generation to
consolidate the work of the revelation, TO
deliver the country entirely from the innu-
! enceS of conflicting transatlantic partiali,ies
| or anlipathies, which attached to our colon.
al ard revolutionary history, and to organ.
| we the practical of the constitutional and
| local Institutions o. the Union. To us Of
this generation, remains the not less noble
task Of maintaining and extending the pow
er Of the United States. We have, at length,
reached that stage of the national career, in
which the danger 10 be encountered and the
exertions to be made, are the incidents not
OF weakness, bu, of strength In our for.
eien relations we have to temper our pow
publics in America, and to place ourselves
| in the calmness and conscious dignity Of
right by the side of the greatest and veal
thiest of the empires of Europe. In our do
nestle relations we have 10 guard against
| the shock Of the discon,ents the ambitious,
the interests and the exuberant and, there
fore, sometimes irregular impulses of opn.