American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-18

i his OOtiSa'ion is louuucu upon equiv
a!ents graatcd by the treaty to the gov.
ernment and people of the United
States.
Under these circumstances, recon-
mend Congress the passage Of an act
authorizing the President in case of
necessity, to employ the land and ma
val forces of tho United States to car
~ into effect this guarantee of neutral
ity and protection. also recommend
sinilar legislation for tho security of
any other route across the Isthmus ia
which VIC may acquire interest by
treaty.
With the Independent republics on
this continent it is both our duty and
our interest to cultivate the most friend
ly relations. We can never feel in
different to their fate, and must always
rejoice in their prosperity. Unfortu-
nately, both for them and for us, our
example and advice have lost much Of
their influence in consequence of tho
]awlcss expeditions which have been
fitted out against some Of them within
the limits of our country. Nothing is
better calculated TO rctard our steady
material progress, or impair our char
acte: as an alton, than the liberation
ct such enterprises in violation Of the
law Of nations.
1t is one of the first and highest du-
ties Of any Independent State, in its re-
lations with the members Of tho great
family of nations, to restrain its people
from acts Of hostile aggressions against
their citizens and subjects. The most
eminent writer's on public law do not
hesitate to denounce such hostile acts
as robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble States, like those
Of Central America, may not feel them
selves able to assert,and vindicatc their
rights. The case would be far differ.
Cnt if expeditions were set on foot with.
in our own territories to make private
war against a powerful nation. If
such expeditions were fitted out abroad
against any portion of our own count
ny, to burn down our cities, murder
and plumber our people, and usurp our
government, we should call any pow
CT on earth to the strictcst account for
not preventing such cnormities.
Ever since the administration ofGen-
cral Washington, acts of Congress have
been in force to punish severely the
crime of setting on foot Il military ex-
petition within the limits Of the United
States, to proceed from thence against
nation or State with whom we arc
at peace. The present neutrality act
Of April Goth, 1918, is but little moro
than collection Of pre- existing laws.
Under this act the President is empow-
cred to employ the land and naval for
ces and the militia 'for the purpose Of
preventing the carrying on of any
such expedition or enterprise from the
territories and jurisdiction Of the Uni
ted States and the collectors of Gus
toms are authorized and required to
dctain any vessel in port when there
Is reason tobclievc 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 another unlawful expedition against
Nicaragua, the Secretary of State is
sued instructions to the marshals and
district attorneys, which were directed
by the Secretaries Of War and the Ma.
w to the appropriate army and navy
officers, required them to be vigilant,
and to use their best cxcrtions in car
rying into effect the provisions Of the
act Of 1918. Notwithstanding these
precautions, the expedition has csca-
ped from our shores. Such enterprise
es can do no possible good to the coun-
try, but have already inflicted much
injury both on its interests and its
character. They have prevented peace
ful emigration from the United States
to tho States Of Central America,
which could not fail to prove highly
beneficial to all parties concerned. In
a pccuniary point Of view, alone, our
citizens have sustained heavy losses
from the seizure and closing of the
transit route by the San Juan between
the two oceans.
The leader Of the recent expedition
was arrested at New Orleans, bat was
discharged on giving bail for his ap.
pearancc in the insufficient sum Of two
thousand dollars.
] commend the whole subject to the
serious attention Of Congress, bclicy-
ing shat our duty and our interest, as
well as orr national character, require
that We should adopt such measures as
will be eifcctual in restraining our cit
liens from committing such outragcs.
| regret to inform you that the Pres