The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-26
MANIFEST DESTINY OF THE UNITED STATES

The dsquieng aspect of European politics has for the
last six months diverted all attention from the long pre-
dcted territorial changes the other side Of the Allan
tic, which fastening to consummaton The
absorption of the weaker republics of Central and South
America by the United States cannot apparently be long
delayed. Mexico and New Granada not only ready
to fall from natural decay but have actually commenced
open movements in favor of surrender of their national
ity and Venezuela although recent might
to indicate that she has inherent le is the road
to similar fate With regard to Mexico, negotiation
for the purchase of another OF her richest districts
understood to be progress before the recent overthrow
of Comonfort Mr.. Forsyth, the minister from Washing
ton being empowered to treat for the province of Sonora
with its valuable silver mines and its harbor Of Guaymas
said to be equal to San Francisco ITSELF The negotiation
has since been suspended not because there would be
objection on the part of any Mexican dictator to complete
It, or indeed to sell the whole country, but simply be-
there is with sufficient power to act
dor. Gen. Zuoaga by whom Comonfort was betrayed,
Is the nominal President and enjoys the support of
the clerical party throughout the country but Alvarez
who made the previous revolution against Santa Anna,
holds sway in the Southwest Vera Cruz Is still in
possession of the constitutionalsts Tampico is in i'm
minent danger of surrenderng to them and, finally,
viaur with his Texan sympathizers, is again looking
to his opportunities the northern frontier Santa An
meanwhile is lowering among the ncighborng islands,
hoping for turn of fortune that may reinstte him suf
cicntly in power to enable him to be the lucky person
that may make the final bargain with Mr. Buchanan's
cabinet Under these circumstances, the United States
government have only to wait little, and they may
have the country on their own terms Already III tile
Senate at Washington Gen. Houston has introduced
resolution proposing the assumption of protecorate
and the motion is not carried it will simply be because
it would be idle for America to commit herself to
overt act in matter which can go only one way even If
she remains passive. The original form Of Gen Hosons
motion for protectorate not only Mexico, but
all the Central American States On subsequent rcfec-
ton he would take them by one. As far as New
Granada is concerned there Is not likely to be much de-
lay For the past year two dispute has existed be-
tween that republic and the United States in connection
with the claims of the latter for compensation to certain
of her citizens who suffered by riot the isthmus of
Panama The treaty demanded by the United States
insure the utre protection of that transit has been
resisted for long time by the Congress at Bogota but
discretion about to prevail If the treaty be
ratified it will give important advantages to America, and
it be refused it will afford ground for assuming by
force all that may be required Here however, as in the
case of Mexico there is total absence of any for
the United States to make the slightest excrtion The
opposing factions In the republic already doing all
that is necessary and the announcement by the last mail
is that Sehor Gonzales the Attorney General Mt BogOta
has absolutely recommended, in official document to
the New Granadan Congress- that they should apply for
immediate admission into the American Union Sehor
Gonzales during some former troubles in the republic
sought refuge in the United States and naturally imbibcd
there knowledge of the material gain to be derived
from the step which he recommends with every
gument at his command The proposition appears to
have excited no dismay or hostility and where IT is once
entertained there cannot be many steps before its fulfil
ment something Lastly, in relation to the adj
joining republic Of Venezuen il must not be supposed that
because the country has suddenly heaved off the base rule
of Monagas it is all ut once about to assume new
character 1t has been necessarily torn by factions and
Monagas for twelve years sufficiently master of the
arts corruption to prove the strongest Acountry that
could have tolerated him long cannot have any cle
mcnts of moral strength If New Granada were annexed
to the United States the absorption of Venezuela would
follow matter Of Its magnificent ports, its
agricultural capacities and its gold mines at Upata would
soon prove irresistible attraction to emgants More
over the friendly influences will be at work as in
New Granada Gen. Paez the chief opponent of Mona
gas has for eight years been an exile New York He
has there become acquainted with the at any
tune available for inaugurang change of condition in
his native country and whether he is called to power
by the authorities, who have replaced Monagas or
rendered hostile by continued attempt to exclude him.
his future will be equally plain When oil these
things shall have been completed the small intermediate
States OF Nicaragua Costa Rica Salvador Honduras and
Guatemala will be ready to go with the stream. The
only obstacle in their case we'll in that of New Ora
NADIA consists in the provisions Of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty which prohibit the United States and Great Britain
alike from assuming control over any part OF Central Amer
lea but movement is on foot ut Washington to get
that aside If possible Fthe British government
hal cordially gone hand in hand with America in the
pan for the Joint establishment Of the Nicaragua route
ali these considerations would have been rendered mpos
sble and the redemption OF that region would have been
the harmonious work of the two powers LORD Names,
bury that time foreign minister summariy rejected
the opportunity and all that has followed SINCE incn-
ding the havoc and apine inflicted by Walker and ms
followers HIS been but the natural consequence OF that
decision. Should America now pursue the course That
seems imminent the change regards English interests
assuming TINT she will honestly provide for the existing
debts of the various States in question: cannot but be
great Improvement upon their present position The
prospect in fact Is likely to excite much hostility
In the United States themselves than among any classes
IN Great Britain The addition of fresh southern States
would be vcwe1l as giving preponderance TO the
saychoding party and this ground the question has