Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-09
THE NICARAGUA MBROLIo-PAUL-
DAG AND WALKER

/
DING AND WALKER
Mr.. Buchanan sent message to the Senate
on Thursday, in response to a call of that body,
transmitting the corr espondence &c, in relation
to the arrest of Walker.
The President says that in capturing Wal
ker after he had landed, Com. Paulding COM
mitsd "a grave error" But he says Nicara-
qua has sustained no injury by the act.
This has enured to her benefit, and re-
lieved her from dreaded invasion. She alone
would have any right to complain Of the viola
ton of her territory; and it is quite certain she
will never exercise this right. 1t unquestion-
ably does not lie in the mouth of her invaders
to complain in her name that she has been
rescued by Commodore Paulding from their
assaults Nre
The President further says, in regard to the
neutrality laws
My opinion of the value and Importance
Of these laws corresponds entirely with that
expressed by Mr.. Monroe in his message to
Congress of December Z, 1879 That wise,
prudent, and patriotic statesman says: 1t is
of the highest Importance to our national
character and indispensable to the morality of
our citizens that all violations Of our neutrali-
ty should be prevented. No door should
be left open for the evasion of our laws,
no opportunity afforded to any who may
be disposed to take advantage Of it to COM
promit the interest or the honor of the nation ;
The crime Of setting on foot or providing the
means for military expedition within the
United States to make war against foreign
State with which we are at peace, is one of an
aggravated and dangerous character, and early
engaged the attention Of Congress"
By tolerating such expeditions, we shall soon
lose the high character which we have enjoyed
ever since the days of Washington, for the
faithful performance of our international obli
cations and duties, and inspire distrust against
us among the members of the great family Of
civilized nations.
Buff motives of duty were not sufficient to
restrain us from engaging in such lawless en-
terprises, our evident interest ought to dictate
this policy. These expeditions are the most
efiectual mode Of retarding American progress;
although to promote this is the avowed object
of the leaders and contributors in such I'M
dertakings.
It's beyond question the destiny of our race
to spread themselves over the continent Of
North America, and this at no distant day,
raj course. The tide of emigrants will flow to
the South, and Enothing can eventually arrest
its progress. If permitted to 20 there, peace
fully, Central America will soon contain an
American population, which will confer bless
ings and benefits as well upon the natives as
their respective governments Liberty, under
the restraint of law, will preserve domestic
peace; whilst the different transit routes across
the Isthmus in which we are so deeply inter
ested will have assured protection
Nothing has retarded this happy condition
of affairs so much as the unlawful expeditions
which have been fitted out in the United
States to make war upon the Central Aineri.
can States. Had one-haf of the number of
American citizens who have miserably perish
ed in the first disastrous expedition of Gen.
Walker settled in Nicaragua as peaceful emf
grants, the object which we all desire would
ere this have been, in great degree, accom-
plished. These expeditions have caused the
people of the Central American States to re-
gard us with dread and suspicion. 1t is our
true policy to remove this apprehension, and
to convince them that we intend to do them
good, and not evil. We desire, as the leading
power on this continent, to open, and, if need
be, to protect every transit route aero the
lsthmus, not only for our owr benefit, but that
OF the world, and thus open free access to
Central America, and through it to our Pacific
possessions. This policy was commenced I'M
der favorable auspices, when the expedition,
under the command of Gen. Walker, escaped
from our territories and proceeded to Punta
Arenas. Should another expedition of sim
liar character again evade the vigilance of our
officers and proceed to Nicaragua, this would
be fatal, at least for q season, TO the peaceful
settlement Of these countries and to the policy
of American progress. The truth is, that no
administration can successfully conduct the
foreign affairs Of the country in Central Ameri.
ca, or anywhere else, if it is to be interfered
with at every step by lawless military expedi-
tons "set on foot in the United States.
We heartily endorse the portions of the Mes
sage VIC have quoted above, and cannot see
how any true American, any high. minded cit
izen of the United States, any one who looks
back with pride to the administration of
WASHINGTON, can dissent from them.