The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-12-24

"As, ny Ito teTI1s, W takc euect on tue
first Of September last, but the local AL.
thorities on the Isthmus have been induc-
ed to suspend its execution, and to await
further insiI uctions OH the subject from
the government Of the republic. am
not yet advised Of the determination Of
that government. II measure so eI-
in Its character, and so clear.
ly contrary to treaty stipulations, and the
contract rights Of the Panama Railroad
Company, composed mostly OF American
citizens, should be persisted in, it will be
the duty Of the United States to resist its
execution.
| regret exceedingly that occasion exists
to invite your attention to subject OF
still graver import in our relations with |
the Republic Of New Granada. On the
fifteenth day Of April last, riotous as
semblage Of the inhabitants Of Panama
committed n violent and outrageous attack
on the premises Of the Railroad company,
and the passengers and other persons in
or near the same, involving the death Of
several citizens of the United States, the
pillage of many others, and the destruc-
tion Of large amount Of property be.
longing to the Railroad Company. I
caused full investigation of that event 70
be made, and the result shows satisfacto-
rily that complete responsibility for what
occurred attaches 10 the government Of
New Granada. have, therefore, deman-
dcd Of that government that the peipe
traitors Of the wrongs in question should
be punished 4; that provision should be
made for the families of citizens Of the
United States who were killed, with full
indemnity for the property pillased or
destroyed.
The present condition Of the Is,hmus
| Of HEnaua is 80 far as regards the secu.
rity of persons and property passing over
| IT, requires serious consideration. Recent
incidents tend to show that the local au-
thorites cannot be relied on to maintain
the public peace Of Panama, and there
is just ground for apprehension that a
portion Of the inhabitants are nedi,ating
further ouir.ges, without adequate meas.
ures for the security and protection Of
persons and property having been taken,
either by the State Of Panama, or by the
general government Of New Granada.
Under the guarantees Of treaty, citizens
Of the United Stales have, by the outlay
Of several millions of dollars, constructed
| Railroad across the lsthmus, and it has
become the main routo between our At
lantic and Pacific possessions, over which
multitudes Of our citizens and vast a.
mount Of property are constantly passing
to the security and protection Of all
which, and the continuance Of the public
advantages involved, it is impossible for
the government of the United States to
be indifferent.
have deemed the danger Of the re-
currences Of scenes of lawless violence in
tins quarter SO imminent as to make it
my duty 10 station a part Of our naval
force in the hsrbors Of Panama and AS
pinwall, in order to protect the persons
and property Of the citizens Of the United
States in those ports, and to insure TO
them safe passage across the ls,hmus-
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 Granada, or other.
wise, some adequate arrangement shall
have been made for the protection and
security of a line Of inter. oceanic com.
munication so important nj this time, not
to the United States only, but 10 all other
maritime States both Of Europe and
America.
Meanwhile, negotiations have been in.
stituted by n means of special commits
sion, to obtain from New Granada full
indemnity for injuries sustained By our
citizens on the lsthmus, and satisfactory
sscrrity for the general interests of the
United States.
In addressing to you my last annual
message, the occasion seems to me an ap-
propriate one to express my congratuls.
tions in view Of the peace, greatness, and
felicity which the United States now pos
cess and enjoy. To point you to tho
state Of the various departments Of the
government, and Of all the great branches
Of the public service. civil and military,
in order 10 speak OF the intelligence and
the integrity which pervadss the whole,
would bs TO indicate but imperfectly the
administrative condition Of the country,
and the beneficial effects Of that on the
general welfare. Nor would it suffice 10
Wy 10 aCtudilI NJ peace AT
home and abroad that its industrial
interests are prosperous :. that the canvas
OF its mariners whitens every sea !; and
the plough Of its husbandman is march.
ing steadily onward to the bloodless con.
quest Of tue continent that cities and
populous States are springing up, as IL by
enchantment, from the bosom Of our ives
tern wilds, aud that the courageous en-.
ergy Of our people is making of these
United States the great republic Of the
world. These results have not been at.
tanned without passing through trials and
perils. by experience Of which, and thus
only, nations can harden into manhood.
Our torefather were trained to the wis
dom which conceived. sud the courage
which achieved independence, by the cir
eumstances which surrounded them, and
they vvre thus ussrss cspsbte S the evva.