Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-12-10

tarrnte1 the trade of all nations win Ca,.un
s.t;cb ;s now in state of blockade, ana nav
accustomed serious loss of life ana proPST,.
Meanwhile the instruction WITHIN the .In p
AGAINST the existing imperial dynasty L". Iii
t;5ncs and it is difficult to anticipate "nus
be the result -, doaroed If |
ody;SsbIc TO appoint a distinguished cltlzet! ~
pa,,ns,,ivon;o envoy extraordinary and mihis
tor documentary, to proceed to emma ana
avail himself of any opportunities VINO" .. 6; |
offer to effect changes in the existing treaty ia
yorable to American commerce ne ICY |
limited States for the place OF his destinauo9 III
III, Iast in the war steamer Minnesota. Spe-
cioI ministers to China have also been apPolht,-
oI Inv the governments of Great Britain ana
France. .-...4ol - ~
While our minister has been instructed 10 oc
cupy neutral position in reference 10 the TA.
listing hostilitieS at Canton, he Will Germany
cooperate with the British ana french 800,
tors in all peaceful measures to secure oy treaty
ctinulations. those inst concessions to commerce
which the nations of the world have right 70
expect. and which China cannot long De per
mitted to withhold From assurances received,
entertain no doubt that the three ministers
will act in harmonious concert to oOtaih sum-
lar commercial treatiesfor each of the powers
they represent 49,. :: III
that concerns the welfare of theindependent re-
publics. on our own continent, as well as oil the
empire of Brazil. -,
Our difficulties with New Granada which a
short time since bore so threatening an aspect
are it is to be hoped, in fair train oil settle
ment in u manner just and honorable to both
parties.
The Isthmus of Central America, including
that of Panama, is the great highway between
the Atlantic and Pacific, over which large por,,
ton of the commerce of the world Is destined
to mass The United States are more deeply IN
terested than any other nation in preserving the
| freedom and security of all the communications
across this isthmus. 1t is our duty, therefore,
! to take care that they shall not be interrupted
either byonvaSions from our own country oroY
wars between theindependent States of Central
! America Under our treaty with New Granada
| of the 18th December, 1915, We are bound to
guaranty the neutrality of the Isthmus of Pana-
ma, through which the Panama railroad passes
'as well as the rights of sovereignty and proper
| ty which New Granada has and possesses over
the said Territory" This obligation is founded
upon equivalents granted by the treaty to the
| government and people of the United States. e
| Under these circumstances, recommend to
| Congress the passage of an act authorizing the
| President, in case of necessity, to employ the
land and naval forces of the United States to
carry into effect this guarantee of neutrality
and protection I also recommend similar lcgis-
lation for the security of any otherroute across
the isthmus in which we may acquire an interest
by treaty.
With the Independent republics on this con-
tinent it is both our duty and our Interest to
cultivate the most friendly relations. We can
never feel Indifferent to their fate, and must al
ways rejoice in their prosperity. Unfortunate
Ily both for them and for us, our example and
advice have lost much of their influence in con-
sequence of the lawless expeditions which have
been fitted out against some of them within the
| limits of our country. Nothing is better calcu-
4 lated to retard our steady material progress, or
impair our character as a nation, than the tole-
ration of such enterprises in violation ofthe law
Of nations.
1t is one of the first and highest duties of any
independent State, in its relations with the mem
bers of the great family of nations, to restrain its
people from acts of hostile aggression against
| their citizens or subjects. The most eminent
writers onpubltc law do not hesitate to denounce
| such hostile acts as robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble States, like those of Central
| Americt may not feel themselves able to assert
| and vindicate their rights. The case wOnld be
far different if expeditions were set on foot with
| in our own territories to make war against a
powerful nation. IL such expeditions were fit
ted out from abroad against any portion of our
own country, to burn down our cities, to muir
der and plumber our people, and usurp our gov
eminent, we should call any power on earth to
the stricteSt account for not prev enting such
enoTfnltics.
Even since the administration of General
Washington, acts of Congress have been in
force to punish severely the crime setting on
foot military expedition within the limits of
the United States, to proceed from thence
against nation or State with whom are at
peace. The present neutrality act of April
! Doth 1918 is but little moro than collection
of pre-existing laws. Under this act the Presf-
dent is empowered to employ the land and ma
val forces and the militir for the purpose of
preventing the carrying on of any such expo
dttion or enterprise from the territories and ju-
risdiction of the United StnteS" aud the col
lectors of customs are authorized and required
TO detain any vessel in port when there is rea-
son to believe she is about to take partin such
lawless enterprises.
When it was first redered probable that an
attempt would be made to get up another un-
lawful expedition against Nicaragua, the Score
tary of State issued instructions to the mar
shals and district attorneys, which were direct
ed by the Secretary of War and the Navy to
the appropriate army and navy officers, reqir-
ing them to be vigilant, and to use their best
exeotiOns in carrying into effect the provisions
of the act of Ills. Notwithstanding these
| precautions, the expedition has escaped from
our shores. Such enterprises can do no posi-
BILE good to the country, but have already infiic-
ted much injury both on its interests and on its
| character They have prevented DpacpfII nm.