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

law to be, that every late possesses power to
change its government at will, and to transact
its business through such agents as it thinks tit
to employ. Any interference by another State
to check the exercise of this right is imperti-
nent and upjusti6able, and has once been a
cause of war between France and England.
According to Mr.. Marcy's rule, that a gov
eminent cannot be recognized because no con-
siderable number of its citizens have expressed
their approval of, or acquiescence in it, all our
Ministers and Consuls everywhere might be
sent home; because, it does not appear that
any considerable number Of citizens of the
United States approve Of or acquiesce in the
admin istration Of Mr.. Pierce. It may be &C.
quiesced in to very Omitted and qualified
degree" by q few persons engaged in the COL
lection Of the revenue.
When point of International law (Which is
founded entirely on usage) is raised, it must
says Wheaton, be decided by the application
of the greatest number of presidents in a GER
tain direction. In the matter of Nicaragua
all the precedents are in favor of the recogni-
ton Of the present government. Let us SECT
France, since our political existence-less
than century-has had ten distinct govern
ments. Some have lived only few months;
others have been maintained for several years.
All Of them have been promptly recognized by
the United States whether the will of the peo
pie was consulted or not. Did the French
people approve of the earlier acts of the first
Napoleon? Did they desire the return of the
BourbonsY No! 1t is an undeniable fact that
the army was the potent instrument in setting
up and pulling down these governments and
it is equally true in the matter Of the restora-
ton of the Bourbons, in the language of Mr..
Marcy's letter TO Mr.. French, that those who
we're chiefly instrumental in suspending or
oyerthrowing the government of that State
were not citizens belonging to it." Mr.. Rush
recognized, in 1913, the provisional govern
ment Of Lamartine two days after it was set
up; and, in 1851, when Louis Napoleon, with
out any expression of the peoples will, struck
his coup daat Mr.. Rives, our Minister to
France, was visited with the implied censure
Of his government, through Mr.. Webster
then Secretary of State-and directed
to recognise the dc tacto government
at once. Perhaps Mr.. Marcy thinks
that Nicaragua being small and weak
State, is not entitled to the same courtesy that
the government was anxious to extend to.pow.
erful France. If such is the case, we will
direct his attention to few precedents a little
nearer home.
Mexico has been in existence as an indie
pendent State about forty years During that
period thirty-eight persons have exercised su-
preme executive authority over it. Our gov
ernment has not hesitated to recognise each OF
these persons; and in one case the United
States connived at the entrance of usurper.
Can Mr.. Marcy or any one else assert that the
government Of Santa Anna, in 1s47, was not
set up by persons not citizens belonging to
Mexico?n 7E.
The case Of Ecuador is also pertinent one
In 1916, after General Flores had left the
country Diego Novoa was elected President
by the voices of convention called for the
purpose. He was eminently popular. Some
time after he took office, Novoa was in
formed that General Urbina was plotting
against him. He did not put any faith in the
statement, and appointed Urbina to the chief
command of the army. In June, 1851, the
President left Quito en- route for Guayaquil
and on arriving at Latacunga, received letter
from Urbina, dated at Guayaquil, urging him
to come to that place at once, as the prosper;-
ty of the country depended upon his presence
there. Novoa complied with the request; but,
before he arrived, Urbina had stirred up the
10 IN &c
seized and sent out of the country by ship.
Urbina declared himself President OF Ecuador,
and still holds that position. The new govern
ment was Immediately recognized by the United
States.
IN the republic of Peru we shall find state
Of things still more resembling those Of Mica.
ragua. On the goth December, 1850, Jose
RnGno Echenique was elected President of
Peru. His despotic administration made hin
unpopular, and a rebellion, headed by General
Castillo, broke out in 1853. 1t was unsuccess-
flu. In the winter of 1854 number of North
Americans arrived at Lima, attracted by the
rumors of rich gold discoveries on the Ana
zon. These men were invited by Castillo to
join him against the regularly constituted
authorities of the State, and they consented.
In December, 1854, Castillo, thus strengthened,
hazarded the decisive battle of La Palma,
from the report of which We make brief ex-
tract
The Sagra1os, a battalion composed Of picked men,
smtpg whom party of Americans led the
act and the opposing ranks weat down hike grass before
their furious charge.
Ecbenique ran away, and Castillo immediate.
ly declared himself President. The Minister
of the United States recognized the govern
ment Immediately. A new Minister from Peru
handed his credentials to Mr.. Marcy, was re-
ceived with that suavity of demeanor which is
SO pleasant feature in the character of that
great statesman, and was the star Of the neAt
levee. Had not Castillo received the aid OF