The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-26

States Government.
The public press for the past two months
has been full of Nicaraguan affairs From
time to time very clear and lucid sxpositions
Of the state Of political affairs in that republic
have appeared in the New York journals There
still seems to be, however, in official quarters,
a wilful blindness as to the real position Of
things, which obtuseness can only be explained
by the superstition that our government has
some private reasons for pursuing course SO
utterly at variance with established precedents,
and so prejudicial to the best interests of both
countries. Let US briefly consider the Iacts as
they stand:
First-There was an internal quarrel in Nj
caragua in relation to the organic law of the
State. One party, headed by Chamorro, occu-
pied Granada, while another, under Castillon,
held Leon. Both parties invited outside aid,
and citizens of the United States bore arms
nnder each banner. The party of Castillon,
generally called the democratic party, surprised
and conquered Granada. A treaty was then
made by which the discordant elements were
fused, and the bill Of rights, as contained in
the Constitution Of 1886, was re-afirmed. Doa
Patricio Rivas, who had previously held the
same office, was named Supreme Director in
the treaty, and he appointed his Cabinet, which
is now composed entirely of native citizens OF
Nicaragua. The vanquished party took the
other Offices and were charged with the ad-
ministration Of public justice. The government
thus happily consolidated, was recognized by
the priests, who have the same influence over
the minds Of the people in Catholic countries
that the press has in England and the United
States. Peace was once more established in
the republic. immigration began to flow to-
wards the vernal Pacific slope. Trade raised
it's dropping head. Public confidence was re-
stored. No one took up arms against the new
government, because it was the result Of a
compromise with which all parties were salts
fed. 1t is now apparently as firm as any Of
the Central or South American governments.
Second--The Minister of the United States
near the Republic of Nicaragua, finding that
the government was firmly established recog-
missed it, according to diplomatic precedent. 1t
is understood that he was censured by our
government, and this assertion appears to be
verified by two letters written by him, in which
he ably defends the position he has taken. He
still continues to exercise his functions at Ora
NADIA.
Third-The Nicaraguan government accre-
dited Col. Parker II. French as Envoy Extraor-
binary and Minister Plenipotentiary minister
Of the highest grade) to the government of the
United States. This diplomat was also the
bearer of an important treaty between the two
countries, which was originated by the legiti-
mist party, signed and sealed by its leaders, and
approved aad attested by the new democratic
government The government Of the United
States, through the Secretary of State, has de-
clined to receive Mr.. French, or any other
person, at present, as the Minister Of the Rivas
government, on the ground, as stated by the
Premier that the citizens Of Nicaragua have
not freely expressed their approval Of, or ac
quiescence in, the present condition Of politi-
cal affairs in that republic. The United States
government also arrested Colonel French on
charge of setting on foot hostile expedition
against the country which he represents bat
Immediately afterwards liberated him and re.
fused to try the case. He has not yet present
ed bis credentials, but remains in the United
States. He is recognized by the people at
large in his diplomatic office, and by the At
torney General as entitled to the privileges of
said Office in every limited and qualified de-
gree
Thus it will be seen that our diplomatic re-
latiops with Nicaragua are suspended; our
government having decided that there is no
supreme government in that State. Certain
persons assume to act as the representatives of
the United States within the territory Of Mica.
ragua, but they act without authority and are
entitled to no consideration from the de fsscto
government there. The American citizen in
that State would have no one to appeal to in
case his personal liberty was infringed, or in
case his property was injured. The point to
be settled is, what is the real duty Of the
United States government under these circum-
stances, and how far can it be sustained in the
attitude in which it stands?
The question which is raised, in this position
Of affairs, is to be settled only by the common
law of nations, as laid down by recognized au-
thorites. The United States early adopted the
European law of nations, and has up to tbis
time acted according TO the maxims laid down
BY its expounders- all of whom agree in say
ing that no government has any business with
the internal affairs of another and that the
government which exists in fact must be re-
cognized. Vattel, Wheaton, Grotius, and all
the other great international lawyers, are
unanimous on this point. The wisest of Minis
ters. Mazarin, promptly recognized Lockhart,
the agent of Cromwell, and refused to see
Charles the Second or his Minister, although
the court of France was always favorable
to the Stuarts, and every considerable
number" Of Englishmen did not "approve of
or acquiesce In the government Of the
Lord Protector In another reign-al-
though the French government aided