Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-10-27


 "that the President indulges the hope that these routes may yet be considered by general con- sent, as neutral highways for the world, not to be disturbed by the operations of war. These great avenues of intercommunicatlon vastly | interesting to all commercial powers and all may well Joln In securing their freedom and use aga'nst those dangers to which they are exposed | from aggressons and outrages originating with Tn or without the territory through which they pass"
 But the establishment of political protec- torate by any of the powers of Europe over any of the independent States of this cont- nent or in otler aoords the introduction of scheme cf policy which acOuM carry ,oith t c right to in- terfere 70 taear concerns, as measure to aohich the Ontted States have long since aro,ced their op- position a,m WItich, shouAd he attempt De made they aol1 resist by aH tue neeans in hseir poaoer. he reasons tor the attitude they have assumed bave been fully promulgated and are every where well known. They are founded on the political circumstances of the American conti- hent whlch has interests of its own, and ought to nave policy of It's own disconnected from many or the questions which are continually presenting themselves in Europe concerning the balance of power and other subjects of contro- versy arising out of the condition of its States. l ponement Tn war. It is of paramount impor- tance to the States of this hemisphere that they should have no entangling union with the Powers of the Old World--a connection which would almost necessarily make them parties to wars having no interest for them, and which would often involve them in hostilities with the other American States contiguous or remote. he years which have passed by since this | principle of separation was first announced by the United States have served still more to sa- | tlsfy the people of this country of its wisdom | and to fortfy their resolution to maintain it. happen what may"
 The progress of events has rendered the 1 lnteroceanlc routes across the narrow portions of Central America vastly important to the commercial world, and especially to the United | States, whose possessions, extending along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts demand the speed lest and the easiest modes of communication. While the just rights of sovereignty of the States occupying this region should always be respected, we shall expect that these rights will be exercised, in spirit befttng the occasion and the wants and circumstances that have arisen. Sovereignty has its duties as aoeU as its rights, and nsee cf hese local governments, eUen | T Ta'tnsinistere,seoiM more regard to tue just de- maads cf ohse'Nnations Hsan Mey haUe been, toouht De pernsltte! in c spirit ot eastern isoLz- tlon to close Mese gotes o intercourse oa tue qreat Mg'tt0ays ofhe a0ort(, ant justiN Me act 5y tue Pretentloa that usese avenues of trale a1M trauel detong 10 hens and that they choose to shut them, or, what Is almost equivalent, to encum- Der them with such unjust regulations as would prevent their general use The United States do not seek either the control or the ex- elusive use of those routes. They desire that | tna llty .i. T | n
 all nations. Nordo they claim to interfere with the local governments in the determination of the questions connected with the opening of the routes, and with the persons with whom con- tracts may be made for that purpose. What they do desire-and mean to accomplish-is that the great interests involved in this subject should not be sacrificed to any unworthy motive but should be guarded from abuse; and that when contracts are fairly entered into with American citizens they should not be wantony violated. Other nations will no doubt pursue the same course in relation to their citizens or suhlects who may have similar interests"
 But be ldes these general considerations aD- pIlcablc to this subject there are others which impose additional obligations upon these 18th mlan PoWers and which bear with equal force upon thelr relations with other nations Sev- eral Of these Powers, and Nicaragua especially, have Tn fact, by their public proceedings, invi- ted the Cooperation of the capital and indus try and enterprise of the world, in order to l open these lines of communication. The citi- zens oi the United States have contributed their Inll share towards the accomplishment of the enterprise, and this government intends to Use the means Tn Its power to protect them in the enjoyment of their rights. The good faith of Nicaragua has been expended looking to its faithful observance.
 THE BELLY CONTRACT ANNIuILATED.- Here NIT. CaeS comes to the published copy of the contract entered into by Martinez and Mora wl-h Belly, and instructs the American Minis ter to abide by the views laid down in the in- structions to Mr. w. Carey Jones, to which views President Buchanan still adheres. He says that :" the United States while they inter- pose no objection to an amicabe adjustment by Costa Rica and Nicaragua of the question of their boundary line, will recognize no arrange ments which will interfere with the existing transit interests as insisted on in theso instruc tons'
 The Onted States no more claim for their citizens (proceeds Mr. Cass) an exclusive right Co form contracts Tor opening these transit routes than they claim for them the exclusive use of the routes when the work Is completed. This
 
 the citizens and subjects of all other Powers. he work Is as open to Mr. Belly and his asso- a.es as to any other enterprisng person. There are but two points connected with this matter which have any interest for the United States or would justify their intervention. The first Is, that no contract with Mr. Belly, or with any one, indeed, should interfere with engagements prevlousiy existing with American citizens. but that all such engagements should be preserved invlolale. And the second is, that Me requLn ho"s aaa conditions of tte graH should De such as 10 renter tae routes free oI sqfe to aN nations | Out controtSe6 by TO one dna upon as0{erote aaa | re0s0kltDGe terDtS." *
 lhis obnoxious arrangement provides that the French Government shall have the right to keep two ships of war stationed in the wa. ters of Lake Nicaragua for the entire dnra- tion of the works
 "l am persuaded that this proposition will meet no favor from the French Government ana that It's name has been introduced here un warrdntably and without its knowledge. The e4uahty and security of this inter-oceanic route consttute great portion of their value to the world, and all commercial Powers are interested m lhelr maintenance. An exclusive right in one oi these Powers to exercise a permanent armed intervention would give serious canse of dissatisfaction to all the others, and the United States freely avow their determination to op pose such measure, should the government of Costa Rca and Nicaragua attempt to carry it into effect.
 AMERICAN CITIZENS MUsT AND SHALL, RE PROTECTED ABROAD" The United Stotes be he0e ft Go De Me1r duty-and Mey nseun to erecute d-to 0atch oUer tbe persaas and property of A.eir cttszeas n tore'gn countries, and to intervene for tAeir protection Uhen such action is justified w ertsting circumstances and by tue lao of nations. Wherever their citizens may go through the habltable globe, when they encounter injustice they may appeal to the Government of their country, and the appeal will be examined into with View to such action on their behalf as it may be proper 10 take. It is impossible to de- ilne Tn advance and with precision those cases Tn winch the national power may be exerted for thelr relief, or to what extent relief shall be aC iorded. Circumstances as they arise must pre- scribe the rule of action Ia countries aobere '0eH dened a'd established la,0s are in operation ata1 aohere heir administration is comnaitte1 to able and independet Judges, cases aoiU rorely oc- car Ohe'e such anterUentton aoiU 6e necessary.- pje / ,ya,a.