Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-10-08
TIE PRESIDENTS CENTRAL AMERICAN


|
THE PRESIDENTS CENTRAL AMERICAN
POLICY.
We have read with interest snd satisfaction SA
oretsry Cass maslerly letter Of Instructions to Gen
Lamar, U. s. Minster 10 Nicaragua and Costa Rca
Martinez and Mora, the presidents of Nicaragua and
Costa Rca. had faithleesy violated an international
compact with tho United S.a:es, aud, on miserable
technical grounds, refused ;he- sgna,uree TO treaty
negotiated between the two governments in order 10
make an arrangement with Monsieur Belly, which
| contemplated the construction Of an nie oceanic
canal, with the extraordinary stipulation that the
French Government should have the right to keep
two ships Of war statiynei ~ Lake Nicaragua dur
ing the entire duration OF the work. Not content
with this treacherous repudiaton of soemn cop pacts,
snd utterly o5ivious that it by the suppression
u dlibusering sohemss that the U. 8 Governmen,
had prevented these petty governments from being
swept out Of existence, the two Presidsnte, Marti
nez and Nora, united in 'soemn declaration, !" az.
peang 10 tbs European powers, France, England snd
Sardinia for protection Against The United States Go.
vernment on The prstencs that the United States had
designs upon the territory Of Nicaragua. Such mon
srous allegations could rot pass unnoced by our vee
ran President and Secretary Of State who have e,sr
been distinguished By sensitive regard for our nation
honor, and by sagao;ous insight into hs scaina
tions of foreign powers and their influence upon tho
destiuiea Of the country. Accordingly General Gaze
ia his letter TO General Lamar emphaticnlIy denies
the statement Of Presidents Martinez and Mora and
snys that "had such cause OF offencs been given by
France or England, or by any other nation with
we'll essbiiahed government, properly approaching
its duties towards foreign powers, its own minister
would have besu dismissed and the American ninisler
recalled. But" adds General Ca-s, "you will give
these governments distinctly to understand that
suitable reparation will bs insisted on, as the United
States will no longer be restrained by the consderG-
tons have adver;ed TO- from seeking, by more efica
cous means proper redress for these unworthy impu
ta,ions. BESIDES The reproachss which this effusou
of il! feeling s made the medium of communication
20 ihe world, it indicates line of policy looking tG
European Intervention with American affairs 10
which the United States have long since avowed then
opposition, and which they will resist under all cir
cunstsnces. refer to the protecorate demanded ly
tbs proclamation, aud TO the appeal to the govern
ments Of France, England and Sardinia to assume the
duties attached 10 that position"
General Cass goes in the patriotic strain 10
declare thet "ibe establishment Of political protbcc
rate by any of the Powers of Europe over any OF the
independent States Of this Continent, OR Is OTHER
WORDS, THE IsTKoDUCrloS OF A SCHEME or POLICY
WHICH WOULD CARRY WITH 1T RIGHT TO INTER-
FERE IN THEIR CONCERNS Is A MgAsUgr TO WHICH
THE UNITED SrATE- HAVE LONG SINCE AvowED
THEIR OPPOSITION, AND WHICH, SHOULD THE At
TEMPT BE- MADE, THEY WILL RESIST WITH ALL THE
MEANS ~ THEIR POWER"
In the following additional passages Gen. Gee.
lays down principle Of international Jurisprudence
which may not be assented TO by sll, but which is
doubtless iuslifed by the important interests which
the United States have TO gusrh both tho p"oi6e
and the Atlantic:
while the jus. rights OF sovereignty Of the Saier
occupying this region should always be respected
We sha expect THAI h"-e rights will b. exercised IL
spirit bttttDg the occasion and the wants and tir
cumsisnc.s that have arisen. Sovereignty has Hs
duties reH as ITS righis, aHd nOHc Of Mesr icc0t
c0yerAncniS, creR II ddmin'st'rfd wjM mors regard
10 ihe inst demands VI other nations hdn my har'
brcn. eoud b. peymt.d Sp1rit Of eastern is,iI
T1n SO close these gGss Of Intercourse Me Prcni
hiShnays Of the worid, and JuShty The oct by hc
prtteHs;on that these Of trade and irdptl
bcl0ag 10 thSx, and bat they choose to sut them
OF. what is almost equivalent, 10 tncumb.r them
II
general use The United States do not GEEK ahs.
he coui:o or ihe txclu.ive use OF thsse routee
They desire that the advantages should be equally
common 10 all NATIONS. Nor do they Claim 10 inter
tere with the local governments in the determination
Of the Questions connected with tbs opening o ih-
rou'es, and with the persons with whom CONTRACTS
may br usde for that purpose What they do de-:.-
and mean 10 accomplishing that the greGt Interests
involved in this subject rhoGld not be SACRIFICED Ia
sny unworthy motive. bat should be guarded from
tha rbI f-ir MI
with American citi5-ia they should not BIZ waEtonly
! violated. Other nhons will no doubt pursue :h-
-ame in relation 10 their citizens subi-cis
who may have similar interests.
Tbs following sentiments, clearly and ernphacally
put forth, will meet with cordia! response from the
American people Indeed, the whole despatch will
be received by the nation as maniiesting in still
stronger light the vigorous and truly American policy
OF the Administration, in watching over the honor
and interests Of the country, in regard to foreign
powers:
The United States believe it 10 be their duty-and
they mean to execute ito watch over the persons
and properly of their citizens visiting foreign
ries and to intervene for their protection when such
action ia justified by cIisng circumstances and by
| the laws vi nstionp. Whenever their citizens ms7
60 through the habtable globe when they encounter
| injustice they may appeal Ia the Government OF their
country, and he appeal will be examined into, with
\ a view 10 sucn rcfiOn their behalf as il may be
proper To take Ii ia impossible 10 define in advance
and with precision those cases in which the national
power may tb exerted for their relief, 10 what eX
| tent relief shsll be afforded. Circumstances as they
arise must prescribe the rule OF action. In countries
where we'll defined and established laws are In opera
lion and where their administration is committed 10
able and independent judges will rarely occur
where such Intervention will be necessary. But hese
elements OF confidence and aeeurity ara not every
where found; and where iha. is unfortunately the
the United States called upon to be more vgant
in watching over their citizens, and to interpose eff
cieniy for their protection, when they to
.ortuous proceedings by the direct acrion OF the Go
vernmen oT by its indisposiiion or inability to dis
charge its duties."
"Ths Government however, ye INDUCES tho hope
that returning eeuss Of Justice may induce the Gov
ernmens of Nicaragua and Costa Rea to recognize
their dutiee and afford redress for the serious
of complaint which the United States have urged
! But 1t is proper they should both distinctly under
stand that the American people and Government
have yeldsd enough to the weakness Of those repub-
lies. and without doing them injustice, they will now
| ;ake care and do Justice 10 themselves.
"Prepsrs,ory to such action as may be necessary a
naval urce will he stationed at Ssn Juan del Norle
and aso a: San Juan del Sur, and mt Real+jo, with
orders to afford all necessary protection 10 the persons
| and properly Of American citZsne and the com
mandpg tfiicers will be directed 10 communicate
with you, aud you will moi fail TO keep them advised
upon all the subj scis which may relate TO the e1ecu
ton of the duties thus entrusted 10 them"
~H<
THE FUSION.
The an1ously sought for fusion, between the Black
/