Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-01-14

l L law ASNNA ONNS ~ ~
is a usurpation Of the war making pow
err, which belongs alone to Congress;
and the Government itself-at least in
the estimation of the world-becomes
an accomplice in the commission of the
crime, unless it adopts all the means
necessary to prevent and punish 1t. 1t
would be far better, and more in accord
ance with the bold and manly character
of our countrymcn, for the Government
itself to get up such expeditions thar
to allow them to proceed under the
command of irresponsible adventures.
We could then, at least, exercise some
control over our own agents, and pre-
vent them from burning down cities,
and committing other acts of enormlty
of which we nave read.
The avowed principle which lies at
the foundation Of the law of nations is
contained in the Divine command, that
'.all things whatsoever We would that
men should do to you, do ye even so to
them" Tried by this unerring rule, we
should be severely condemned if we shall
not use our best exertlons to arrest such
expeditions against our feeble sister he
public of Nicaragua. One thing Is
very certain, that people never existed
who would call any other nation to-
strictcr account than We should ourselves
for tolerating lawless expeditions from
their shores to make war upon any por-
ton of our Territories. By tolerating
such expeditions we shall lose the high
character which we have enjoyed ever
since the days of Washington for the
faithful performance of our international
obligations and duties, and inspire dis
trust against us among the members Of
the great family of civilized nations.
But if motives of duty were not sufi-
Gent to restrain US from engaging in
such lawless enterprises, our evident in
terest ought to dictate this policy
These expeditions are the most effectual
mode of retarding American progress;
although to promote this is the arowcd
object Of the leaders and contributors in
such undertakings. 1t is beyond ques-
ton the destiny of our race to spread
themselves over the continent of North
America, and this at no very distant day,
should events be permitted to take their
natural course. The tide Of emigrants
will flow to the South, and nothing Can
eventually arrest its progress. If per
mitted to go there peacefully. Central
America will soon contain an American
population which will confer blessings
and benefits as well upon the natives as
their respective governments. Liberty,
! under the restraints of law, will preserve
domestic peace, while the different tran
sit routes across the Isthmus, in which
we are so deeply interested, will have as
surcd protection. Nothing has retard-
ed 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 American
State s.
Had one-half of the number of Amer
lean citizens who have miserably perish
ed in the first disastrous expedition of
General Walker settled i'll Nicaragua
as peaceful Gmigrants, the object which
we all d sire would ere this have been,
in a great degree, accomplished. These
expeditions have caused the people OF
ll4G
u with dread and suspicion. 1t is oar
policy to remove this apprehension, AMI
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 across the lsthmuS, not
ONLY Tor our own benefit, Lut that of the
world, and thus open Il free access TO
Central America, and through it to our
Pacific possessions.
This policy WAS commenced under ia
vorable auspices, when the expedition,
under command OF General Walker, cs-
capped from our territories and proceed
ed to Punta Arenas. Should another
expedition of a similar character again
evade the vigilance of our officers and
proceed to Nicaragua, this would be ia
tai. at least for a season, to the peaceful
settlement Of these countries, and to the
policy of American progress. The truth
is that no Administration can success
fully conduct the foreign affairs of the
country in Central America, oranywhere
e'se, if it is to be interfered with at every
step by lawlcss military expeditions ''set
on foot in the United States.
JAMES BUCHANAN.