M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-12-23

10 Ine preIuulce OF cltlZens OF the U.
States. Since that time the competi.
ton has ceased between the rival
routes of Panama and Nicaragua ;
and, in consequence thereof, an un.
justand unreasonable amount has been
exact9d from our citizens for their pas
sage to and from California.
A treaty was signed on the 10th
day of November, 1857, by the Sec
rotary Of State and Minister of MIC
aragua, under the stipulations of
which the use and protection of tho
transit route would have been secured
not only to the United States, but
equally to all other nations. How
and on what pretexts this treaty has
failed to receive the ratification of the
Nicaraguan Government, will appear
by the papers herewith communicated
from the State Department. The
principal objection seems to have bee n
to the provision authorizing the Unit.
ed States to employ force to keep the
route open, in case Nicaragua should
fail to perform her duty in this respect.
From the feebleness OF that Repub-
lie, its frequent changes of govern
ment, and its constant internal dissen-
sions, this had become most impor-
tant stipulation, and one essentially
necessary not only for the security Of
the route, but for the safety of Amer
ican citizens passing and repassing to
and from our Pacific possessions.-
Were such O stipulation embraced in
treaty between the United States
and Nicaragua, the knowledge of this
fact would of itself most probably
prevent hostile parties from commit
ting aggresSions on the route, and
render our actual interference for its
protection unnecessary.
The executive government Of this
country, in its intercourse with foreign
nations, is limited to the employment
Of diplomacy alone. When this fails,
it can proceed no further. 1t cannot
legitimately resort to force, without
the direct authority Of Congress, ex-
cept in resisting and repelling hostile
attacks. 1t would have no authority
to enter the Territories of Nicaragua,
even to prevent the destruction of the
transit, and protect tie lives and prop
erty Of our own citizens on their pass
age. 1t is true, that on o sudden en-
ergency of this character, the Presi-
dent would direct any armed force in
the vicinity to march to their relief;
but in doing this he woulo act upon
his own responsibility.
| Under these circumstances, ! earn.
estly recommend to Congress the pass
age Of an act authorizing the Presi.
dent, under such restrictions as they
may deem proper, to employ the land
and naval forces of the United States
in preventing the transit from being
obstructed or closed by lawless vio-
lence, and in protecting the lives and
property Of American citizens travel
ing thereupon, requiring at the same
time that these forces shall be with
drawn the moment the danger shall
have passed away. Without such a
provision, our citizens will be con-
stantly exposed to interruption in their
progress, and to lawless violence.
A similar necessity exists for the
passage OF such an act, for the protec-
ton Of the Panama and Tehuantepec
route.
! In refe renee to the Panama route,
| the United States, by their existing
treaty with New Granada, expressly
guaranty the neutrality Of the isthmus
with the view that the free transit
from the one to the other sea may be
uninterrupted or embarrassed in any
future time while this treaty exists"
In regard to the Tehuantepec route,
which has been recently opened under
the most favorable auspices, our trea.
ty with Mexico Of the Both Decem-
Der, 1853, secures to the citizens of
the United States a right of transit
over it for their persons and merchan-
disc, and stipulRtes that neither gov
ernment shall "interpose any obSta-
Ice" thereto. 1t also comedies to the
U. States the fright to transport a.
cross the isthmus, in closed bags, the
mails of the U. States not intended
for distribution along the line of the
communication; also, the effects Of the
U. States Government and its citizens
which may be intended for transit and
not for distribution on the isthmus,
free of custom house or other charges
by the Mexican Government"
These treaty stipulations with New
Granada and Mexico, in addition to
the considerations applicable to the
Nicaragua route, seem to require leg
islation to carry them into effect.
The injuries which have been infic
ted upon our citizens in Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, during the last two
years have received the prompt atten-
ton of this government. Some of
these injuries were of the most aggra-
II