The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-17
RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CEN
TRIAL AMERICA

With all Difference gentleman of the experience and
reputation in public life of Mr. Senator Crittenden it
to me unjust towards him to say that in the discussion
of paper of SO much immediate importance as the Pres
dents message Of the 18th instant better acquaintance
with the facts and the law, and better apprehension Of
the real question ought to have been expected. a"
Mr. Crittenden has been in public life great many
years has been senator at different times, aud part
cpan in discussions that occupied the first nteects of the
country and has been twice in the executive councils Yet
it seems that he is first to learn that from the time
that diplomatic relations opened between this
country and foreign States, country has not in
single instance occupied ITSELF in determining the
reception of diplomatic representative, with any ques
ton concerning the character good or i'll foundation
of the administration which accredited him. Mr. Crit
tenden ought to know that we have had diplomatic
intercourse with the Spanish American States for
than thirty years receiving their representatives always
and without queson--and maintaining in most of them
also representatives of and yet that il had
troubled ourselves about their changes of administration
by revolution otherwise waited for the shoes to
wear out" of the parties from time to time dominant
might Except in few cases have saved both those States
and our the expenses OF maintaining the inter-
course Mr. Crittenden ought to know that Of
most important treaties, both with powers this cont
nent and in Europe have been made with the
escent administrations and the most important of all
since the treaty peace and independence with Great Brit
ain was with government which all Europe considered
unlawful and afterwards succeeded in oyerbrowng al
Jude to the treaty with France for the purchase OF Lou
ana celebrated with Napoleon first consul when be
had been in his seat little longer and certainly not by
any better right than Rvas has been President Of
Nicaragua Mr. Crittenden ought also to be acquainted
with the principle Of public law, acknowledged every
where except in the family circle Of European dJnastes
aud especially rule Of conduct in our government that IL
Is not governments dynastics alternating parties, SHIFT
ing that diplomatic intercourse Is main
I,. A min from Fran
or Mexico, and so accredited. half dozen reyolu-
tons may occur in his home government but II has no
effect on his relations with this country till he be super
seeded He represents his country and not the dssoving
views of its political KALEIDOSCOPE How many different
or administrations and all Of them reyolu-
onary does Mr. Cr,teuden suppose have followed each
other In Nicaragua during the continuance ofhe Sehor Mar
colot as minister Of that State Washington Perhaps
Senior win be good enough to inform us in his forth
coming manifesto ....#
Again. Mr. Crittenden ought to have known that the
State Of Nicaragua though small aud comparatively weak
has not failed in the considerable number OF years that
have ELAPSED since she admitted into the great family
of TO "dschsrge all the duties required" Of her In
that capacity aud that 1t will be time enough to question
her capsbity aud Willingness TO do so when she shall
have done something TO the contrary.
Mr. Crittenden ought further have known that the
Presidents decision not "hssy but according
to every precedent in diplomatic history might have
made four months ago, and no Marin ana no excite
ment oft The message Of General jackson the
question Of recognising Texas suggests the suspension of
that measure because IL still doubtful 10 the mother
country (Mexco) might not be able TO reconquer Bat
Ia the case OF Nicaragua there Is question Of mother
country; and Jackson just scrups about interfering in
the struggle between Mexico and State Remembering
ielf from her, cannot be pleaded justify the suspension
Of relations with existing State because she is threat
ened with subjugaton from abroad II this good
principle Mr. Gritenden had better also suspend
our relations with Costa Rica for although Nicaragua
may last accounts have presented strong front
enemies yet while the is s pending the result
ought to be considered open question. Nobody
know the principles Of fair fight better than senator
from Kentucky.
At ought have informed himself before making
cusatons that citizens who assisted in the establish
Of the present in Nicaragua did not 90
there ain violation Of neutrality laws The neutral
y laws Of the United States sufficiently harsh wheth-
they constitutional THAT ia competent TO Congress
TO enact) is doubted by weuformed persons their poll
ICY in view Of the practice Of other nations Ia s more
doubtful that can be convicted under them sc-
codng to the received maxim of criminal Jurisprudence
ia well established and they more liable to abuse than
any other penal in the English tongue But with
all this against the neutrality laws and with all the scope
that be given TO them take them ia their roades,
terms countryrpsn in Nicaragua do not come within
them. Thsir going there not In violation Of any
clause OF those laws and the general accusation Of viola
ting the neutrality laws without specifying what par
cu.r what branch Of the lave what act IL too
indefinite for conviction, either before court or before