The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-27
THE Future or the Alns riean Isthmus.

Ths Future OF the Anne rican Isthmus,
We pubiiA elsewhere q seiies Of interesting
articles from widely different sources upon the
future Of the Central American Isthmus. They
are worthy Of pezusal, and it will not fail to
strike the reader how necessary it is on our side
that the government Of the United States should
adopt leading policy in those now disorganized
countries and how the European mind is not
only prepared to admit such course on our part,
but believes that it is absolutely necessary for
the protection Of the interests of Che whole world
that we should Go So
III view OF our proximity to the Isthmus, and
the prerondeIance of our commerce over the
transit routes, both England and France will &C
quiesce in our giving peace to the countries
through which the lines of transit pass, provided
only that we secure to the whole world
free passage for its trade This is q
point that is not only within the policy
Of our government, but one that has marked
all its intercourse with other nations. We
have never sought to obtain or desired, exclusive
privileges anywhere. In Japan aud China, as
well as CD tbs IsthInus of Panama, our policy has
ever been, and ever must be, the same The free
dom Of trade and intercourse which we have
adopted as OR policy toward the British posses
sons in Canada is what we would desire to estab-
blish with Mexico and the republics OF Central
America, and so far as our influence is concerned
it has ever sought to exercise its power for the
free benefit Of all nations.
The thinking men Of Nicaragua recognise the
necessity of some controlling element in that dis,
tracted aeqntNto subdue thefurious partizan
spirit that aSeateEagain to involve it in an in
'testine wartswhiie some ags undoubtedly. il
favor of again inviting the iilibusters to take a
part in civil war aud give one party a prepon-
derance, Others are advocating the reconstruction
Of Central America in one republic, so that the
influence Of all may control the factions; while
Others again, as in Honduras, contemplate the
rapid material progress of this counryas des-
tined to control and absorb Spanish America
As for the reconstruction of the old republic
of Central America, we look upon il as a hope
less task. The experience of the first attempt is
too bitter to warrant its renewal Costa Rica,
the leading Power of that series of petty-repub-
lies, recognizes the fact that her advance in
wealth, population and intellectual Development
dates from the breaking up Of that abortiye fede-
ration, and she win never consent to its re-estab-
lishpent. Already do we find her endeavoring
to give moral tone to her present position, by
seeking to gather Congress Of the Spanish Ame-
rican States in her capital This, too. is vain
idea. When those States have all with the ex-
cepton of Chill, demonstrated their incapacity
Individually in the art Of government il is not to
be expected that they will do any better collec-
lively. Indeed, they have demonstrated this fact
too. Colombia and Central America were con-
federations, and now they are in fragments
The advance of the United States in popula-
ton, and through this in q successful degluti-
ton OF all Spanish America, as the Hondu-
ras writer supposes, is thing not to be
contemplated. The disorgansed communities
that they now form, with their dissonant and
hostile races, their want Of Justice amid album
dant law. their idleness and intestine commo.
tions, are not at all adapted to digestion and as
similation through the power of self-govern-
ment, and We can never undertake it, What our
government has got to adopt is firm but mode
rate pohcy oil intervention for the maintenance OF
social order in those countries and the safe tran.
sit through them OF our citizens and commerce,
and Herewith those of every other nation, This
policy can enly be carried out in lis workings by
slow and moderate degrees It, final attainment
and lie ultimate form must be The growth Of cir.
cumstanees, perhaps spread through a whole gen.
Grafton Nicaragua Is the initial point, and now
Is The time to begin it. Let our government
Therefore calmly consider the question Of the Nj
carogua Transit route, resolve that ii shall be
opened 10 the safe transit Of the world. aud then
proceed to carry il out The time is proptious.
the means are 10 its bands aud the world expects
II to act