Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

an able and interesting article enforcing the
necessity for the direction of the mind of the
government of the United States to our affairs
with the other States on the American CONT
nent. Reading it, has set us to thinking on the
subject more earnestly than of late; though for
years past the growing importance of our rela-
tOns with those States has kept our attention
steadily fixed upon their future, as connected
with ours. Many of our best friends have won
dered at the intensity of our disapprobation of
flibustering, as illustrated in the columns of
the Star.
We have to say that belief that our national
commercial path lies in the direction of Spanish
America and the Pacific is, in great part the
Key to the sentiments We have so steadily en-
forced upon the subject named above. Europe
has her own artisans, her own system in the
arts, sciences, in literature and in all things
else, and we may not hope successfully to COM
pete with her where circumstances favor her
supremacy over US On this continent circum-
stances favor American commerce and efforts;
and nOught but our want of tact can defeat our
supremacy on this side of the Atlantic and in
regions to be reached most economically and
speedily by crossing the American isthmus No
sane man can question the fact that filibuster-
has failed to result in any substantial advan-
tage whatever to any American interest of
which an honest man can approve, is likely to
create prejudiceS against US as a nation in the
minds of peoples who are or may be sufferers
from 1t, which must make them jealous of and
hostile to us; which. in turn, will greatly mill
tate against our growing commercial interests
with them. This is plain reasoning, that all
can comprehend.
besldes-we are Southern man, with South
ern affections and Southern political views, and
are opposed to any readings, whatever, of law
or propriety that involve justification of the
principle on which the Republican party of this
country is founded. That principle, in few
words, recognizes the right of the strongest to
work their will. If we admit that it is lust,
right and proper that the people of the United
States (under the idea that those of Central
America are their interiors and live under
laws and institutions morally. relgiousIy and
lndustrially inferior to their own, or that in
our hands their country would do more for the
future OF the human race than in theirs
have the right to Overleap the implied obiiga-
tons OF treaties and our domestic laws and To
take possession of their lands-for the life of us
we cannot perceive how we can oppose the right
OF the stronger portion of this Confederacy to
apply the same theory to US of the South. Not
that we subscribe to their superiority in any,
thing but cunning and logged perseverance.
But, being the stronger, their right is admitted
to determine the question of their own superb
Ority, and to Overleap the written guarantees OF
constitution and laws, and to flibuster against
US OF the Southern United States, by any admis-
sion OF our right, as nation, to violate treaties
and the principles of international law and JUS
uce, to possess ourselves of the territory Of
neighbOring and weaker nations.
But we wander from our theme. which is the
present and future of Central America and the
best present means of profting our country
IN connection with that portion of the CONT
nent. 1t strikes US that the recent pacifcation
OF Nicaragua by the election of the filIibusters
theretrom, offers to this Government an Oppor
tunity to regain much that it has lost in the
way OF influence in that quarter through the
lneficiency, of our laws to restrain the lawless
among US, and to regain the substantial adj
vantages of which fllibustering has already de-
priyed all our countrymen. We mean of the
free and uninterrupted means of inter-oceanic
communication over the Nicaraguan istbmus
privilege OF almost incalculable advantage TO
We explained yesterday that the story of the
purpose OF the other Central American States
10 partition nicaragua out among themselves is
Out sheer nonsense Her sovereignty has not
yet been attacked, except by American 6llibus
tiers Nor Is there the least likelihood that the
Central American States will essay any such
thing; If but for the fact that it is of vital i'm
portance 10 rs to preserve Nicaragua's soyer
eighty.
True, Costa r lea has for years past urged q
claim to sort OF joint sovereignty over the
river San Juan and its port and to the Nicar
aguan department or county of Guanacasts.
which can never be acknowledged by this Gov
eminent, If but for the fact that Costa RIGA is
but finger of Great Britain in any such af
lair; English influence being paramount in her
COSTA Rlca's) counsels. As we remarked YES
terday, Central American affairs have been our
study Tor years, and we know well that the
claim of Costa Rica to the department Of Guana-
eaSta Is founded neither on conquest, purchase
or eessIon. Or, in other words that il has mn
existence IN law, or even in prescription of nos
session She has not only never vet had the
control PossessiOn) of the transit route. but
whenever she has undertaken to negotiate on
the subject, she has distinctly admitted that
any such claim of hers is unfounded Weak
ana indebted to her as Nicaragua is at this
moment, there is danger that her Government
may make some concession of joint proprietor
snip over the transit route, to Costa RIGA and
u strikes us as being the prime duty of this
government to take measures as soon as posi-
Die 70 prevent that important me- ms Of commu-
nleation with our Pacifc-coast possessions from
thus indirectly lapsing under the control IF
European English influences
We are very sure that, already the govern.
ment OF Nicaragua, though grateful 70 Costa
kica and her other allies in saving her from tho
terrible infection of the flibustcrs. mu., ~
aware OF the Importance of strengthening itse,f
against Costa Rica,s rersistnnt da.;.x..c