The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-15

| that empire of the Sd July, 1874. with a
| view to the security and extension OF 0ur
! commences. The 24th article of this treaty.
| stipulated for a revision of It. in case expe-
rience should prove this to be REQUISITES;
| sin which case the two governments will.
at the expiration of twelve years from the
date of said convention. treat amicablys
concerning the same, by means OF suitable
persons appointed to conduct the negotia-
| TONS These twelve years expired ON the
Sd July. 1856 but long before that period
it was ascertained that important changes
I in the treaty were necessary and several
fruitless attempts were made by the COM
missioner of the United States to effect
these changes. Another effort was about
to be made for the same purpose by our
commissioner. in conjunction with the
ministers of England and France, but this
was suspended by the occurrence of hostil-
tiles in the Canton river between Great
Britain and the Chinese Empire. These
hostilities have necessarily interrupted the
| trade of all nations with Canton. which
is now in a state of blockade, and have oc-
casioned a serious loss Of life and property
Meanwhile the instruction within the en-
pire against the existing imperial dynasty
still continues, and it is difficult to antici-
pate what will be the result ST.
| e.. Whilst our minister has been instructed
TO occupy neutral position in reference to
the existing hostilites at Canton, he will
| cordially cooperate with the British and
| French ministers in all peaceful measures
to secure by treaty stipulations, those just
| concessions tocommeree which the nationsof
the world have right to expect, and which
China cannot long be permitted to with
| hold From assurances received. enter
tain no doubt that the three ministers viii
| %D0 hf oSr 1Ior
commercial treaties for each of the powers
they represent.
| rive omit here small portion relating to New
| Grenada and the Isthmus Of Central America.
| The President recommends that he be authorized
to use the land and naval forces, if necessary, to
enforce treaty stipulations.] -
With the independent republics on this
continent it is both our duty and our in
| terest to cultivate the most friendly rela-
| TONS We can never feel Indifferent to
their fate, and must always rejoice in their
prosperity. Unfortunately, both for them
| and for US, our example and advice have
| lost much of their influence ia consequence
| of the lawless expeditions which have been
| fitted out against some of them within the
| limits of!our country. Nothing is better cal
culated to retard our steady material pro-
gress, SO impair our character nation.
| than the tole ration of such enterprises III
violation of the law of nations.
1t is one of the first and highest duties of
any independent State, in its relations with
the members of the great family of nations.
to restrain its people from acts of hostile
aggression against their citizens or subjects.
The most eminent writers on public law do
not hesitate to denonnce such hostile acts
| as robbery and murder.
| Weak and feeble States. like those of
! Central America, may not feel themselves
| able to assert and vindicate their rights.
| The case would be far different if expedi-
tons were set on foot within our own ter
ritories to make private war against
powerful nation. IF such expeditions were
| fitted out from abroad against any portion
of our own country, to burn down our
cities, murder and plumber our people, and
usurp our government, we should call any
power on earth to the strictest account
for not preventing such enormities.
Ever since the administration of General
| Washington, acts of Congress have been in
! force to punish severely the crime of setting
on foot military expedition within the
HIGHS henee "a against s nation OF State With whom
we are at peace. The present neutrality
act of April Goth, 1918, is but little more
/ than q collection of pre- existing laws.
Under this act the President is empowered
to employ the land and naval forces and
the militia "for the purpose of preventing
| the carrying on Of such expedition en-
terprise from the territories and jurisdic-
ton of the United States" and the collec-
| tors of customs are authorized and requir-
ed to detain any vessel in port when there
is reason to believe she is about to take
| part in such lawless enterprises.
| e \ II
an attempt would be made to get up anoth-
er unlawful expedition against Nicaragua,
the Secretary of State issued instructions
to the marshals and district attorneys. which
were directed by the Secretaries of War
and the Navy to the appropriate army and
navy officers, requiring them to be vigilant.
| and to use their best exertion in carrying
into effect the provisions of the act of 1918.
| Notwithstanding these precautions, the ex-
! petition has escaped from our shores. Such
| enterprises can do no possible good to the
country, but have already inflicted much
| injury both On its interest and it's chara cter.
They have prevented peaceful emigration
| from the United States to the States of
| Central America, which could not fail to
prove highly beneficial to all the parties
concerned. In pecuniary point of view
alone, our citizens have sustained heavy
losses from INC SclZuEG dUU CLOSING OF the
transit route by the San Juan between the
two oceans.
The leader of the recent expedition was
arrested at New Orleans, but was discharg-
ed on giving bail for his appearance in the
| insufficient sum of two thousand dollars.
I commend the VIII ole subject to the
serious attention of Congress. believing
that our duty and our interest, as well as
national character, require that we should
take such measures as will be effectual in
restraining our citizens from committing
such outrages.
Iregret to inform you that the President
of Paraguay has refused to ratify the
| treaty between the United States and that
State as amended by the Senate, the sigma
ture of which was mentioned in the mes
sage Of my predecessor to Congress at the
opening of the session in December, 1853.
The reason assigned for the refusal will ap-
pear in the correspondence herewith sub