Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-12-23

mus of Central America through which
transit routes pass between the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, presents subject Of
deep interest to all commercial nations. II
Is over these transits that large portion of
the trade and travel between the European
and Asiatic continents, is destined 10 pass.
To the United States these routes are of
incalculable importance, as q means of COM
munication between their Atlantic and Pa
cifc possessions. The latter now extends
throughout seventeen degrees of latitude on
the Pacific coast, embracing the important
State Of California and the flourishing Ter
ritories Of Oregon and Washington. All
commercial nations, therefore, have deep
and direct interest, that these communica-
tions shall be secure from interruption. If
an arm of the sea connecting the two oceans
penetrated through Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, il could not be pretended that these
States would have the right TO arrest or re-
tard its navigation, TO the injury of other
nations. The transit by land over this mar
row isthmus, occupies nearly the same po-
stion. 1t is a highway in which they them
selves have little interest, when compared
with the vast interests of the rest of the
world. Whilst their rights Of sovereignty
ought to be respected, it is the duty of other
nations to require that this important pass
oge shall net be interrupted by the civil
wars, and revolutionary outbreaks, which
have SO frequently occurred in this region.
The state is too important, 10 be left at the
mercy of rival companies, claiming to hold
conflicting contracts with Nicaragua.
The commerce of other nations is not to
stand still and await the adjustment of such
petty controversies. The government of
The United States expects no more thsn 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 neu-
trali,y and protection for the common use of
all nations, is their only object. They have
no objection that Nicaragua shall demand
and receive q fair compensation from the
companies and individuals who may trav.
erse the route; but they insist that it shall
never hereafter be closed by any arbitrary
decree Of that government. If disputes arise
between it and those with whom they have
entered into contracts, these must be ad-
justed BY some fair tribunal provided for
the purpose, and the route must not be clos
ed pending the controversy. This is our
whole policy and it cannot fail TO be accept
able TO other nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided, if
consistently with the good faith Of Nicara-
qua, the use Of this transit could be thrown
open 10 the general competition; providing
at the same time for the payment Of q rea-
sonable rate 10 The Nicaraguan government
on passengers and freight.
In August, 1852, the Accessory Transi,
Company made its first interoceanic trip
over The Nicaraguan route, and continued
in successful operation, with great advant-
age 10 the public, until the 18th OF Februa-
nv, 1886, when ii was closed, and the grant
to this company, as well as its charter, were
summarilly and arbitrarily revoked by the
government Of President Rivas. Previous
10 this date, however, in 1854, serious dis
putes concerning the settlement of their ac-
counts had arisen between the company
and the government, threatening the inter
ruption Of The route at any moment. These
the United States in vain endeayored to
compose. 1t would be useless TO narrate
the various proceedings which took place
between the parties, up till the time when
. the transit was discontinued. Suffice II 10
say that since February, 1856 it has re-
mained closed, greatly 10 the prejudice 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 exacted from
our citizens for their passage TO and from
California.
A treaty was signed on the 18th day Of
November, 1857, by the Secretary OF State
and Minister of Nicaragua, under the siip-
ulations of which the use and protection OF
the transit route would have been secured,
not only 10 the United States, but equally
/ 10 all other nations. How, and on what
pre,exts this treaty has failed 10 receive the
ratification of the Nicaraguan government,
will appear by the papers herewith com
municated from the State Department.
The principal objection seems to have been
to the provision authorizing the United
States TO employ force to keep the route
open, in case Nicaragua should fail 10 per-
form her duty in this respect. From the
feebleness oil that republic, its frequent chan
ees Of government, and its constant inter-
nal dssensions, this had become most I'M
portant stipulation, and one essentially nec-
essary no, only for the security Of the route
but for the safety Of American citizens pass
ing and repassing to and from our Pacific
possessions. Were such stipulation en-
bracea il a treaty between the United States
and Nicaragua, the knowledge Of this fact
would Of itself, most probably, prevent hos
tile parties from committing sggressions or
the route, and render our actual interier'
ence for its protection unnecessary.
The executive government Of this cour
try, in its intercourse with foreign nations
i, limited to the employment oi diplomacy
alone. When this falls, il can proceed M
farther. 1t cannot legitimately resort Il
force, without the direct authority Of Con
cress axrent in resisting and repellinp hos