The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-10-22
Our Central American Relations.


clear point of view the truly American policy
OF the Administration. in protecting the honor
and interests Of the country in relation to for.
eign powers. The letter was called forth bv
the conduct Of Martinez and Mora the Pres
dents OF Nicaragua, aud Costa Rica. who in vi.
olatIon OF an international compact with the
United States, had refused to sign n treaty be.
tween the two Governments, in order to make
an arrangement ith the French Minister, con-
ferr1ng certain privileges upon that Govern
ment; and who had united in IN appeal to the
European powers. for protection against the
United States, under the pretcnce TINT the Go
vernment had designs upon Nicaragua.
Gen. Cass, in his letter denies the statement
of Presidents Mora and Martinez and instructs
our Minister to demand suitable reparation
for these unworthy impuution. lie rebukcs
that policy which looks to European intcrven
tion in American AFFAIRS aud declares that this
Government will steadily resist the establish
mcnt OF political protcctorate over any 9th.
Independent States of this continent. hv nny of
the powers of Europe With regard to the
rights of the Central American States over the
transit routes across the Isl,mus, he asserts
nation to the interests Of commerce. and the
rights of other nations that the United States
claim no control or exclusive use O these routes
and do not seek to interfere between the local
governments and it's contractor but desire
merely to protect the great interests involved,
and see that they are open TO the eniryment of
all nations.
In the spirit of the following paragraphs of
the letter, will be found a guarantee that the
rights Of the American citizen abroad will be
duly protected, and the honor of the nation
properly vindicated:
The United States believe it to be their du.
ty-and they mean to execute ito watch
over the persons and property of their citizens
visiting foreign countries, and to intervene for
their protection when such action is justified
by existing circumstances and bv the laws of
through the hahitn5le globe when they encoun-
ter injustice they may appeal to the Govern.
ment OF their country. and the appeal will lie
examined into. with view to such action on
their behalf as it may be proper to take 1t
impossible to define in advance. and with pre-
c's'on. those cases in which the national power
may he eXerted for their relief OF to what ex
tent relief shall be afforded Circumstances os
they arise, must prescribe the rule of action.
In countries where well-1efined and established
laws are in operation, and where their admin
Istration is committed to able and independent
Judges. cases will rarely occur where such III
tcrvention will be necessary But these clc
ments Of confidence and security are not every
where found and where that is unfortunat.ly
the case the United States are cal ed upon to
be more Vlgilant i'll watching over their citizens
and to intcrpose efficiently for their protection
when they are sub jccted to tortuous proceed.
ings by the direct action of the Government or
y,as 5y its 'nd'Spos''on or inability to discharge its
d. This Government, however. yet indulges the
nope that returning sense of Justice may in
duce the Governments ofNicaragua and Costa
Rlca to recognise their duties and afford redress
Tor the serious causes of complaint which the
United States have urged. But it is proper
they should both distinctly understand that the
American people aud Government have yield
ed enough to the weakness of those Repuhlics
and. without doing them injustice they will
now take care Of md do justice to themselves.
Preparatory to such action rs may he me-
cessary, a naval force will be stationed ut San
Juan del Norte, and also at San Juan del Sur,
and at Realejo. with orders TO afford all neces-
aary protection to the persons and property Of
American citizens; and the commanding off
GERS will be directed to communicate with YOU:
and you will not full to keep them advised up
on oil the subjects which may relate to the ex-
ecution of the duties thus entrusted to them.
The Militia System.
The following excellent and we'll timed sug
gostion with regard TO cur present Militia
System. We extract from a late number of the
Columbia Guardian. The writer, it will be seen.
does not advocate the abolition Of the present
organization, but only such modification, ns
will relieve it Of its most onerous features-the
frequent drilling in Company and General
Musters, which impose distasteful labors upon
the citizens without any corresponding benefitr,
The necessity of some change seems to be gen.
ernlly conceded, and will no doubt he effected
eventually:
'There is considerable discussion lust now
in some sections of the State. While we nre
not radicalist on this subject. or indeed anv
other we cannot hnt think there is great need
Tor reform. Our militia system has been pro-
ductive of good results: it. has raised some
good officers and well disciplined men. bu, il
has some defects which should he renedied
The regimental musters in the various districts
OF our country are oppressive and injurious,
without affording the slightest benefit, either
to officer soldier. There is no one that b,
iIeVes any member of a beat company learns
anything of military tacticts in three hours
muster on the old field Men are dragged from
Their occupations, spend money and return
home jaded and tired. They have listencdao
stump speeches. heard themselves pra scd as
fine soldiers and nll that; they can make
step with more precision. or go through 1he
manual any better than they did before thew
went on the field We do not believe.
We would NOT. however abolish the system
it is necessary as basis of organization. and
must be preserved in our section. But we
would 60 for abolishing useless musters of the
mass mass OF the people who can Iearns nothing of
military science at such gatherings The beats
could preserve their organizations without fire..
quently drilling. and so with the battalion and
regiment. and we venture to say, when any
necessity arose for the assembling Of the men.
they would just be as we'll prepared as they
are now.
We are in favor of the volunteer system and
of Communication tax,on all liable to do military
duty, who may be ihdsposed to play soldier at
oil. very moderate assessment would sus.
tain with life md vigor strong. well organ.
ized and efficient force. With the facilities of
travel, and with the increasing population 10
teer force might he organized that would form
the best nucleus of any army when necessity
demanded. The past calls for Volunteers from
our State demonstrated that the respective