New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-06-18
THE AMERICAN QUESTION.
From The London Ti~e', Jun.2


The Administration Of Gen. Pierce has taken an-
other step IN that downward course to which il ha.
utely addicted itself since s entrance upon
official duties. As if the questions in dispute bet
England ard the United States not sufficiently
eubroiled already, the President has Just decided on
n measure the effect of which must necessarily be TO
compcate relations already grievOu-ly entangie
and embitter feelings on both rides of the Atlantic
already Deedlessly and wantOnly irrtated. As the
matter seems not to be per CITY understood we will
in very few words state to our readers 20 mach az
may be necessary to enable them TO appreciate the
full significance of the untowsrd circumstance which
has just occurred at Washington.
About six months ago a bard Of adventures from
the United States under the command of eebOoter
named Walker, invaded the Republic of Nicaragua,
with claim pIeteKt that aware of, merely
relying the power of the sword and the superiority
Of might to right. Success crowned their efforts they
overthrow the existing Government-by what acts of
hood and reacbey II If not noe necessary to state
and installed themselves for time at least, IN the po-
sition of soveregns Of Nicaragua But the negh6or-
ing States If Costa Rica and Guatemala became
alarmed and commenced an attack upon the Anerl-
can invaders the in which, according 10 the
last accounts had declared in tbear favor and against
the piratica occupiers Of the country Walker ana
his followers have appealed to force, and force
seems on the point of deciding against them:
The ClsytOn-Bulwer Treaty binds the American ana
English Governments alike not to occupy any
portion Of Central America and this doctrine has been
applied by America with the most unre!enting precis
ion TO our proceedings II therefore impossible
for the United States to take any direct share IN w AK
ers invasion without most fagrant breach OF exist
ing treaties-Day, they are bound by every principle
of International law to prevent, by all means III ther
power the sending of any support TO those OF their cit
liens who are disgracng the American name oy deeis
of blood and rapine worthy of the mot condisn pun
sbment More than this they have been recently IN
sstiDg not only on the strctest Observance VI .ae
neutrality laws, but a respect for their sovereign
fgbts which Obles every nation IN ts conduct
another to consider not merely what is legal but what
may be agreeable and acceptable. No nation ever
had bound itself by its o conduct and declarations
10 more fcrupuous and even puuctilious reverence
for the rights and feelings Of Others The course OF
the American Government, therefore, would seem 10
have been exceedingly pain-tO have LETT alker ana
his followers TO undergo the fate they richly mered,
and to take credit to themselves for the rigor with
which they observed that neutrality and respected that
TIRE atty which they accuse us of violating ana disre
gardng Unfortunately, however the elections are at
hand, There il class of vOters whom nothing would
30 much cOncilate as identifying the Government of
the United States with enterprise such as that OF
Walker and bis associates. Between these two views
the Government of Gen. Pierce has for some time
balanced but at last has taken and acted upon reso-
luton. The President has sent down to the Senate
message in which he broadly processes the doctrine of
recognizing a Government de tactO, whatever its
origin and thus las difficulty 10 cOnuding that the
Cove of Walker is entitled to this recognition
CONSEQUENTLY though there is now residing in Wash
int a certain Mr. MarcOeta, representative of the
late Government of Nicaragua, who protests loudly
against the proceeding the President has received
the ambassador sent by Walker, and thus recognized
bis Government with which the l nited states
may enter into alliance, and one INTO whose service
her citizens may enrol themselves without any violation
of neutrality The effect of such step WILL of course,
be TO send to the assistance of Walker and his asso
ciates hundreds Of unquiet spirits rom every part OF
the Uron ard to involve the United Saes virtually
though not Ostersby, in war with Costa Rica and
The nretenses on which this step has been taken
extreme " flimsy and transparent. Walkers Govern
NJ
ment II for the NONE Mt IN possession o bowel ana
Coyeument de fdcto; but 1t Is In imminent penl of
being overthrow from day to day by the combination
of negbboripg States, who are waging against war
NJ determination and il occupies such position that
no iupartial Government, willing TO hold the scales
evenly between it and the Government II has sup
nantd could have dreamt of recognizing It's existence
a. an independent State 1t Is only commencing tne
strupple which must be successfully terminated before
II has right 10 claim foreign recognition But ought
the United States to be impartial In TINS matter The
C;uy.ument of Walker Is founded by their own
citizens in de6ar ce of d laws OF their country
rd IN confempt of the treaties by which that country
j. bou,d Such men have no right to any favor-no,
mot even federation, from government which under
stands it's honor and its duty ana the Union would only
be making suitable repaiaon ,o une elInes OF her
d;,E Who have tax en- possession OF friendly and uu
offending State. The recognition OF such power is
melsl choiy proof of the state OF political morality
which could counsel such STEP and the impotence Of
considerations of right and justice to restrain the Gov
.,pment Of the great Transatlantic Republic from the
most dangerous and upjusti6abe courses.
Al the same time, the real nature Of this proceeding
must not be misunderstood. 1t is an alarming NANTES.
iAton ofthe ideas that actuae the American Govern
mep and leads 10 most dis agreeable anticpations as
to the possibility of an amicsble solution Of any dispute
with men who seem to recognize no other law than
their wishes and their passions. But it il no case of
war, it is not necessarily ground of diplomatic
COMPLAINT The Clayton Bulwer Treaty has not been
in terms violated, and it may probably be expedient
in the present critical state of the relations between
the two countries rather To pass this matter by in ri.
rc than 10 incur the risk OF introducing fresh diff.
culties into discussion already sufficiently periIous or
Give an excuse TO those who are even now oply too
,esdv 10 seek An occasion of quarrel. If war do come
we must meet it may. Let US at any rate, have
b Of rejecting that this greatest of hu
nsn cssn tiles has rot been preciptated bv Anv I'M
due ens,veness or any avoidsble Interference on our
part.