The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

passes very near to the Mexican boun-
dairy, throughout the whole length of
Arizona. can imagine no possible
remedy for these evils, and no mode of
restoring law and order to that remote
and unsettled frontier, but for the gov
eminent of the United States to assume
a Temporary protectorate over the
northern portion of chihuahua and So
nora, and to establish military posts
within the same and this is earnestly
recommended to Congress. This pro-
lection may be withdrawn as soon as
local governments shall be established
in these Mexican States, capable. of
performing their duties to the United
States, restraining the lawless and pre-
serving peace along the. border.r "a
/ do not doubt that this measure will
be viewed in a friendly spirit by the
governments and people of chihuahua
and Sonora, as it will prove equally
effectual for the protection of their
citizens on that remote and lawless
frontier, as for citizens of the United
States. -.,.e r.Ia ne..s, a.s.s..,f
And in this connection permit me to
recall your attention to the condition
of Arizona. The population of that
Territory, numbering, as is, alleged,
more than ten thousand souls, are
practically. without "a government,
without laws, and without any regular
administration of justice. Murder and
other crimes are committed with impu-
nifty. This state of things calls loudly
for redress; and /, therefore, repeat my
recommendation for the establishment
of Territorial government over Ari-
IONA. .,,..-
The political condition of the narrow
isthmus of Central America through
which transit routes pass, between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, presents a
subject of deep interest to all CONNER
cial nations. 1t is over these transits
that large proportion of the trade and
travel between the European and Asia
tic continents is destined to pass. To
the United States these are of incalcu-
liable Importance, as a means of COM
munication between their Atlantic and
Pacific possessions. The latter now
extend through seventeen degrees of
latitude on the Pacific coast, embracing
the important State of California, and
the fiourishing Territories of Oregon
and Washington. All commercial ma
tons, therefore, have deep and direct
interest, that these communications
shall be rendered secure from Interrupt
ton. If an arm of the sea, connecting
the two oceans, penetrated through
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, it could not
be pretended that these States would
\ have the right to arrest or retard its
navigation, to the injury of other ma
tons. ~. ....,.......
! The transit by land over the narrow
isthmus occupies nearly the same posi-
ton. 1t is a highway to which they
themselves 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 passage shall not
be interrupted by the civil wars and
revolutionary outbreaks which have so
| frequently occurred in that region. The
stake is too important to be left at the
mercy of rival companies, claiming to
hold connecting contracts with Mica
raugua. The commerce of other ma
tons is not to stand still and await the
adjustment of such petty contrivances.
The government of the United States
expects no more than 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 neutrality and protection, for the
common use of all nations, is their only
object. They have no objection that
Nicaragua shall demand and receive
a fair compensation from the companies
and individuals who may traverse the
route; but they insist that it shall never
hereafter be closed by an arbitrary de-
cree of that government. If disputes
arise between it and those with whom
they may have entered into contracts,
these must be adjusted by some fair
tribunal provided for the purpose, and
. the route must not be closed pending
the controversy. This is our whole
policy, and it cannot fail to be accepta-
BILE to other nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided
if, consistently with the good faith OF
Nicaragua, the use Of this transit
could be thrown open to general com.
, petition; providing at the same time
for the payment of a reasonable rate
t to the Nicarauguan government, on
, passengers and freight. ~ s
, In August, 1852, the Accessory
Transit Company made its first inter.
oceanic trip over the Nicarauguan
, route, and continued in successful ope.
ration, with great advantage to the
public, until the 18th of February, SO,
when it was closed, and the grant to
this company, as well as its charter.
were summarily and arbitrarily revoked
by the government of President Riyas.
Previous to this date, however. in '54.
serious disputes concerning the settle.
ment of their, accounts had arisen be-
, tween the company and the govern
ment, threatening the interruption OF
J the route at any moment. These the
United States in vain, endeavored to
compose. 1t would be useless to mar
rate the various proceedings which
took place between the parties, up till
the time when the transit was discon-
tlnued. Suffice it to say. that, since
i February 1856 it has remained cloSad