Staunton vindicator. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
for toterating lawless expeditions from their
shores to make war upon any portion Of our

lVF UoiSIdtiuS idWiocS GA PcuitiOnS 1FOul tuciI
shores to make war upon any portion of our
territories.
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 inter
national obligations and duties, aud inspire
distrust among the members Of the great
family Of civilized nations.
But if motives of duty were not sufficient
to restrain us from engaging in such law
less enterprises, our evident interest ought
to dictate this policy. These expeditions
are the most effectual mode Of retarding
American progress; although to promote
this is the avowed object of the lea dcrs and
contributors in such undertakings.
It is beyond question TIE destiny Of our
race to spread themselves over the CONT
nent of North America, and this at no dis
tant 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. Ifpcrmtted
to 60 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 restraint
of law will preserve domestic peace );
VIII list the different transit routes across the
Isthmus in which we are SO deeply interest
ed will have assured protection
Nothing has retarded this happy condi-
tion Of affairs SO much as the unlawful ex-
petitions which have been fitted out in the
United States to make war upon the Cen
trail American States. Had one half Of the
number Of American citizens who have
miserably persisted in the first disastrous
expedition Of Gen. Walker settled in Nj
caragua as peaceful emigraats, the object
which we all desire would ere this have
been in great degree, accomplished. These
expeditions have caused the people of the
Central American States to regard us with
dread and suspicion. It is our trae policy
to remove this apprehension, and to con
vince them that we intend to do them good,
and not evil We desire, az the leading
power on this continent, to open, and, if
need be, to protect every transit route across
the Isthmus, not only for our own bene-
it, but that of the world, and thus open
free access to Central America, and
through it to our Pacific possessions This
policy was commenced under favorable aus
pieces, when the expedition, under the com
mand Of Gen. Walker, escaped fron our
territories and proceeded to Funta Arenas.
Should another expedition Of similar
character again eyade the viligance Of our
officers and proceed to Nicaragua. this
would be fatal, 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 atfAirs Of the ccnn
try in Central America, or anywhere else,
if it is to be interfered with at every step
by lawless military expeditions set en-
foot in the United States.
JAMES BUCHANAN, /
WASHINGTON, January Z, 1857