The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-12-16

II pJ tHc occurrence OF nOstll1tieS IN tn
Canton River between Great Britain anc
the Chinese empire. These hostilitie
have necessarily interrupted the trade o
all nations with Canton, which is now il
a state of blockade, and nave accustomed
serious loss of life and property. Mean
while the insurrection within the empir,
against the existing imperial dynasty still
continues, and it is difficult to anticipat,
the result.
Under these circumstances I bav,
deemed it advisable to appoint a distiu
guished citizen of Pennsylvania Enyo,
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten
tiary to proceed to China, and to avail
himself of any opportunities which ma,
offer to effect changes in the existing trea
ty favorable to American commerce. IT,
left the United States for the place of hi,
destination in July last in the wal. steam
er Minnesota. Special Ministers to Chin,
have also been appointed by the Govern
meats of Great Britain and France.
Whilst our Minister has been instruct
ed to occupy a neutral position in refer
ence to the existing hostilities at Canton
he will cordially cooperate with the Brit
ish and French Ministers in all peaceful
measures to secure by treaty stipulation,
those just concessions to which
the nations of the world have a RIGHT To
expect, and which China cannot long be
permitted to withhold. From assurance
received. I entertain no doubt that the
three ministers will act in harmonious
concert to obtain commercial treaties for
each of the Powers they represent.
We cannot fail to feel a deep interest
IN all that concerns the welfare of the in.
dependent republics on our own continent,
as well as of the empire of Brazil.
Our difficulties with New Granada,
which q short time since bore Sc threaten
ing an aspect, are, it is to be hoped, in
a fair train of settlement, in a manner Just
and honorable to both parties.
The Isthmus of Central America, in.
GLIDING that of Panama, is the great high
way between the Atlantic and Pacific,
over which a large portion of the CON-
merce of the world is destined to pass
The United States are more deeply inter
ested than any other nation in preserving
the freedom and security of all the COM
munications across the isthmus. It is our
duty, therefore, to take care that they
shall not be interrupted either by inva-
sions from our own country or by wars be
tween the Independents states of Central
America. Under our treaty with New
Granada of the 18th December, 1916, we
are bound to guarantee the neutrality of
the Isthmus of Panama, through which
the Panama Railroad passes, "as we'll as
the rights of sovereignty and property
which New Granada has and possesses
over the said Territory This obliga-
tion is founded upon equivalents granted
by the treaty to the government and peo-
pie of the United States.
Under these circumstances I recon-
mend to Congress the passage of an act au
thorizing the President, in cases of neces
sity, to employ the land and naval forces
of the United States to carry into effect
the guarantee of neutrality and protection.
l also recommend similar legislation for
the security of any other route across the
Isthmus il. which we may acquire an in
terest by treaty.
With the independent Republics on
this Continent it is both our duty and our
interest to cultivate the most friendly re-
%lations. Wecan never feel Indifferent to
their fate, and must always rejoice in
their prosperity. Unfortunately, both
for them and for US, eur example and ad-
tlC6 AdN0 lOb uluCu Vi LQ6IE luuu0uC6 III
consequence of the lawless expeditions
which have been fitted out against some
of them within the limits of our country.
Nothing is better calculated to retard our
character as a nation, than the federation
of such enterprises in 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 denounce
such hostile acts of 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-
tions were set on foot within our own Ter
~ritories to make private wal against a
powerful nation. If such expeditions were
fitted out from abroad against any portion
of our own country, to burn down our cit
les, murder and plumber our people, and
usurp our government, We should call any
power on earth to the strictest account for
preventing such enormities.
Ever since the administration of Gen
eral Washington, acts of Congress have
been in force to punish severely the crime
of setting on foot a military expedition
the limits of the United States, to
from thence against a nation or
State with whom we are at peace. The
present neutrality act of April 20, 1918,
is but little more than a collection of pre-
laws. Under this act, the Pres
ident is empowered to employ the land
and naval forces, and the "militia for the
of preventing the carrying on of
any such expedition or enterprise from
the Territories and Jurisdiction of the
States" and the collectors of GUS
are authorized and required to de-
tain any vessel in port when there is rea-
SON to believe she is about to take part in
such lawless enterprise.
When it was first rendered probable
that an attempt would be made to get up
unlawful expedition against Mic
aragua, the Secretary af State issued in
,tructions to the Marshals aud District
which were directed by the
Vu---1 L