The Winchester weekly appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-12-17
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Whilst our Muster has been instructed to occup
neutral position i'll reference to the existing hos
tilities at Canton, he will cordially cooperate will
the British and French ministers in all peaceful mea
secure by treaty stpulations those just con
cessions to commerce which the nations Of th
world have right to expect, and which China can
not long expect to be permitted to withhold
From assurances received, / entertain no doub
that the three ministers will act in harmonious con
cert to obtain similar commercial treaties for each
the powers they represent.
We cannot fail to feel deep Interest in all tha
concerns the welfare of the independent republics
our own continent, as well of the empire of Bra
( I'll.
/ Our dif6ultes with New Grenada, which a short
time since bore so threatening aspect, are it i:
to be hoped, in iar train of settlement in man
ner just and honorable to both parties.
| The Isthmus of Central America including that
| of Panama, is the great highway between the At
lantic and Pacific, which large portion of the
commerce of the world is destined to pass. The
! United States more deeply interested than any
other nation in preserving the freedom and security
of all the communications across this Isthmus. 1t
is our duty, therefore, to take that they shall
not be interrupted either by nvasions from own
country by wars between the Independent States
! of Central America.
| of December, 1876, are bound to guaranty the
neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama, through
! which the Panama railroad passes, 'as well the
| rights of sovereignty and property which New Gre
siada has and possesses over the said territory"-
This obligation is founded upon equivalents granted
! by the treaty the government and people of the
| of the United States.
Under these circumstances, recommend to Con-
gress the passage of an act authorizing the Presi
| dent in case of necessity to employ the land and
naval forces of the United States carry into effect
this guarantee of neutrality and protection. | also
recommend similar legislation for the security of
! any other route across the sthmus in which We may
| acquire an interest by treaty.
With the independent republics this cont
! nent it is both duty and our interest to cult
vate the most friendly relations. We can never feel
Indifferent to their fate and must always rejoice in
their prosperity. Unfortunately, both for them and
| for u.s. our example and advice have lost much of
their influence in consequence of the lawiess expe-
ditions which have been fitted out against some of
! them within the limits of our country. Nothing is
better calculated to retard steady material pro-
gress, or impair character nation, than the
| toleraton of such enterprises in violation of the
! law of nations
1t is one of the first and highest duties of anv in
! dependent State. in its relations with the members
of the great family of nations to restrain its people
from of hostile aggression against their citizens
or subjects. The most eminent writer's on public
! law do not hesitate to denounce such hostile acts
! robbery and murder.
| Weak and feeble States, slike those of Central
America may feel themselves able to and
! vindcate their rights. The would be far if
! ferent if expeditions were set on foot within
| own territories to make private war against pow
| erful nation. If such expeditions were fitted out
| fIom abroad against any portion of our own couu-
| try, to burn down cities, murder and plunder
| people, and usurp our government, We should call
any power earth to the strictest account for not
| preventing such eormities.
Ever since the administration of Gen. Washing
ton acts of Congress have been in force to punish
severely the crime of setting on foot military
| petition within the limits of the United States to
proceed from thence against nation or State with
| whom we are at peace. The present neutrality act
of April 26, 1918, is bu. little than a collec-
ton of pre-exsting laws. Under this act the Pres
| ident is empowered to employ the land and naval
! forces and the militia 'for the purpose of prevent
ing the carrying on of any such expedition
prise from the territories and jurisdiction of the
United States" and the collectors of customs
authorized and required to detan any vessel in pert
when there is to believe that she is about
take part in such lawless enterprises.
When it first rendered probable that at
tempt would be made to get up another unlawful ex-
pedition against Nicaragua, the Secretary of State
issued instructions to the marshals and district
torneys which were directed by the Secretaries of
| War and the Navy to the appropriate army and
navy officers, requiring them to be vigant, and to
use the best exertons in carrying into effect the
provisions of 1918. Notwithstanding these precau-
tions, the expedition has escaped from our shores.
Such enterprises do possible good to the
country, but have already inflicted much injury both
on its interests and its character. They have pre-
| vented peaceabe emigration from the United States
to the States of Central America, which could not
fail to be highly beneficial to all the parties con-
cerned. In a pecuniary point of view alone, our
citizens have sustained heavy losses from the seizure
and closing OF the transit route by the San Juan be-
| tween the two oceans
The leader of the recent expedition arrested
at New Orleans, but was discharged giving bail
for his appearance in the insufficient OF $4,000.
l commend the whole subject to the serious at
tenten of Congress, believing that our duty and
our interest, as well as our national character, re-
qurc that we should adopt such measures will
be effecual in preventing citizens from commit
ting such outrages.
regret to inform you that the President of Par
aguay has refused to ratify the treaty between the
United States and that state amended by the Sem
ate, the signature OF which mentioned in the
message of my predecessor to Congress at the ope-
ming OF its session in December, 1853. The reason
assigned for this refusal will be found in the
| pondence herewith submitted.
1t being desirable to ascertain the fitness of the
river La Plata and its tributaries for navigation by
| steam the United States steamer Water Witch
sent thither for that purpose in 1853 The enter
| prise was successfully carried until February,
when, while in the peaceful prosecution of her voy
age up the Parana river, the steamer fired upon
| by Paraguayan fort. The fire returned, but
| as the Water Witch of small force, and de-
signed for offensive operations, she retired from the
| conflict. The pretext upon which the attack was
| made a decree of the President of Paraguay of
oCLOOeT lOofs FesSclS vi war
| from navigating the rivers of that State As para
! quay, however, was the owner of but one bank of
the river of that name, the other belonging to Cor
rentes, State of the Argentine Confederation, the
right of its government to expect that such decree
| would be obeyed cannot be acknowledged. But
| the Water Witch was not, properly speaking,
! vessel of war. She small steamer engaged
in a scieuic enterprise intended for the advantage
! of commercial States generally. Under these Cir
cumstances am constrained to consider the attack
upon her ustifabe, and calling for satisfac
! tiou from the Paragnayan Government.
Citizens of the United States, also, who es-
! tablshed in business in Paraguay, have had their
property seized and taken from them, and have
otherwise been treated by the authorities in in
! sulting and arbitrary manner, which requires
| dress.
demand for these purposes will be made in a
firm but conciliatory spirit. This will the more
probably be granted if the Executive shall have
| authority to other means in the event of re-
fusal. This is accordingly recommended.
1t is unnecessary to state in detail the alarming
condition of the Territory of Kansas the time of
my Inauguration. The opposing parties then stood
in hostile array against each other and any accident
might have relghted the flames of civil war Be-
sides at this critical moment Kansas was left with
out governor by the resignation of Governor
Geary.
On the 10th OF February previous, the territorial
legislature had passed law providing for the cleo
ton of delegates the Sd Monday of September,
for the purpose of framing a constitution prepara-
tory to admission into the Union. This law in
the main fair and just, and it is to be regretted that
all the qualified electors had not registered them
selves and voted under its provisions.
AT the time for the election of delegates an ex-
tensve organization existed in the Territory whose
avowed object it was, if need be, to put down the
awful government by force, and to establish gov.
ernment OF their under the so-called Topeka
Constitution. The persons attached to this revou-
tonary organization abstained from taking any part
| in the election.
The act of the territorial legislature had omitted
toprovide for submitting to the people the const-
tuition which might be framed by the convention;
and in the excited of public feeling through