Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-12-15

n nm arm ofthe soa. connecting lho Two
aeeane. penetrated Through Nicaragua and
Costa iica. 10 could not ho pretended that
these States would have ihu tight io arrest
of tatd is navigation. 10 The injury Of
other nations. The transit w land over
this narrow isthmus, occupies ncafiy the
same position. II isa highway IN which
they themselves have little interest, when
compared with the vast interests OF the
rest Of the world Whilst their rights Of
soveteignts ought TO be respected, 1t Is the
duty of other nations to require, that this
important passage shall not be interrupted
by the civil wars and revolutionary out
breaks which have so frequently occurred
in that region.
The stake is too important to be left at
the mercy Of rival companies, claiming to
hold collecting contracts with Nicaragua.
The commeIce of other nations is not to
stand still and await the adjustment of
such petty controversies. The govern
ment the United States expect no more
than this, and they will not be satisfied
with less, They would not, if they could
derive any advantage from the Nicaragua
transit, not common to the rest of the
world. Its neutrality and protection, for
the common use Of all nations, is their
only object.
They have no objection that Nicaragua
shull demand and receiAe fair compen-
sation from the companies and indiridu-
ais who may traverse the route but they
insist that it shall never hereafter be clo-
sed by an arbitrary decree of that govern
ment. If disputes arise between it and
those with whom they have entered into
contracts, these must be adjusted by some
fair tribunal provided for the purpose, and
the route must not be closed pending the
controversy. This is our whole policy,
and it cannot fail to be acceptable to 9TH
er nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided
If, consistently with the good faith of Mic
aragua, the use of this transit could be
thrown open to general competition pro-
v!ding at the same time for the payment
of reasonable rate to the NicaIaguan
government, Oh passengers and freight.
In August. 1852, the Accessory Transit
company made its first interoceanic trip
over the Nicarauguan route, and continue
cd in successful operation, with great adj
vantage to the public, until the 18th Feb
ruary, 1856, when it was closed, and the
grant to this company, as well as its char
ter, were sumarily and arbitrarily revoked
oy the government of President Rivas -
Previous to this date, however, in lSjI, Sc.
rious disputes concerning the settlement
OF their accounts had arisen between the
company and the government, threaten
ing the interruption Of the route at any
moment.
These the United States in vain endeay.
ored to compose. 1t would be useless TO
narratc the various proceedings which
took place between the parties up 10 the
time when the warrant was discontinued
Suffice il to suy that since February, 1865.
it has rem lined closed greatly TO the pref
udice of citizens of the United States
Since that time the competition has ceased
between the rival routes of Panama and
Nicaragua and, in consequence thereof,
an unjust and unreasonable amount has
been cxacted from our citizens for their
passage to and from California.
treaty was signed on tile 10th day OF
Nov. 1851, by the Secretary cf State and
Minister Of Nicaragua, under the stipula.
tions of which the use and the protection
of the transit route would have been Sc
cured not onlG to the Us but equally to
all other nations. How and on what pres
text this tfeaty has failed to receive the
ratification OF the Nlcarauguan govern-
ment will appear by the papers herewith
communicated from the State Department.
The principal objection seems to have
been to the provision authorizing the Uni
ted States to employ force to keep the
route open, in case Nicaragua shonld fail
to perform her duty in this respect.
From the feebleness of that republic, its
frequent changes of government, and its
constant internal dissensions, this had be-
come a most important stipulation, and
one essentially necessary not only for the
security of the route, but the safety of A
merican citizens passing and repassing to
and from our Pacific possessions, Were
such a stipulation embraced ina treaty be.
tween the United Statesa and Nicaragua, the
knowledge of this fact would ofitself most
probably prevent hostile parties from COM
mitting aggressions on the route, and ren.
der our actual interference for its protec,
tion unnecessary.
Conclusion uert tresk.