The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-18
The DUTY OF she Admanastratlc0 In Refe-
renee GO Central America.

The Duty OF she AAmanlstratlon In Refe-
renee GO Central America.
We begin to think that about enough has been
done in the way Of Cancellation and compromise
in the negotiations between our government and
the States Of Central America. The attitude
occupied by the government of New Granada. at
last advices, and the conduct and language of the
Costa Ricans who have laid forcible hands on the
main highway between the oceans in Nicaragua,
appear pretty nearly to fill the cup Of our az
gravation. Citizens of the one State massacre
our people, refuse atonement, impend future
enormities of the like kind: citizens Of the other
for the sake of carrying on q war against neigh
bors with whom they have never been able to
agree shut up one, and perhaps the most conve-
nient of our roads to our Pacific pessessionA
We submit that this is carrying matters with a
tolerably high hand
We have atreaty with England and Ncara
qua in reference to free transit route across
that State. American citizens under the su-
thority of their government, have made bar
gain with tho government of New Granada,
which bargain that government now tacitly re-
fuses to keep. In both instances the administra-
ton have ample grounds for active interference
should it be deemed advisable.
We think the time has come for o little
dealing in acts, not words When we sent
an expedition to Japan, at the cost of
no one knows how many hundreds of thousands
to the country, Commodore Perry made treaty
which is very pleasant reading, being nicely
worded, but which, in truth. did not secure for
us the first shadow Of substantial concession
The English made treaty, too but, when trouble
arose about its Interpretation, they simply sent a
squadron into the principal seaport, and cleared
the decks What was the consequence The
japanese came to their senses directly, and open
ed their ports to the English. In the abstract
this style Of acting seems harsh and unjust; in
practice, it is humane and sensible. 1t is the po
Icy we ought to practice towards the Spanish
nations of Central and South America.
All these petty nations have presumed upon
their feebleness to commit acts and assert preten
sions which we should long ago have gone TO war
about had they been attempted by Power like
England 1t is time that they should be taught
that weakness can be no cloak for wrong. The
interests, the safety of this country demand that
We should have free access by the shortest road
to California and the Pacific Territories; il is
mere child's play to keep up diplomatic farces
and diplomatic embarrassments about the matter.
The administration would solve the problem in
the plainest and most satisfactory manner were
our marines authorized to land and occupy the
two trnia of the Panama Railroad, taking care
to travel backward and forward, from time to
time to prevent pratical enterprises in the int
rior; and an equally energetic course ought to be
pursued in Nicaragua The Costa Ricans have
no right to shut up the Nicaragua route to Cali
fornia 1t is our duty to keep it open; force
should at once be directed to clear the river San
Juan Of all distractions Of whatever kind, and To
keep it clear in future for the commerce Of the
world
1t is only by measures like these that the peace
and advancement of this continent can be secured.
All else is futile.