The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-07

our readers that nothing whatever has occurred
which ought to change the views of the Presi.
dent or the policy of he Administration, as they
are explained and enforced in the preceding
extract from the annual message. The coun-
try will still recognise and appreciate the grev-
GUS injury which lawless expeditions, like that
of Walker, must tend to infict upon all our
national interests, commercial and political, in
Central America; and the popular Judgment
will doubtless also determine for itself what
substantial advantage may inure to our nation
al character and lawful objects in that quarter
from Capt. Pauldings recent act. That officer
acknowledges that he assumed grave respon-
sibility in taking the step he did and throws
himself upon the Administration, Congress,
and the country for his justification. 1t is
bold and frank appeal and viii be met, we have
no doubt, in proper spirit.
"In the mean time we hope that those of our
countrymen who direct their attention to the
foreign policy of the United States, will not
forget that this policy can neither be wise nor
successful, unless it is in conformity with JUS
tice and right, and in harmony with the just
principles of international law. The same law
of nations which exists for other countries ex-
lists also for our own and, until we are pre-
pared to submit to aggressions ourselves, we
ought not to encourage aggressions upon others.
exists in many portions of the Union, that the
resources of Central America have rot been
more fully developed, ands that the transit
routes which connect the two oceans should be
subject to so many difficulties and Interruptions;
but this development is not to be secured by
the continuance of illegal expeditions against
Governments with whom we are at peace, and
the safety of the transit routes is not to be &C
complished by making them the scenes of vio-
lence and the prizes of successful war. The
peaceful policy of the President, as defined in
his message to Congress, besides being the only
policy on this subject which is consistent with
the just rights of our neighbors, is the only pol
icy, we verify believe, under which anything
valuable can be accomplished on this Continent
for American interests. We may fairly ap-
peal, therefore, to every good citizen, to give it
his cordial support; and we may do SO the
more earnestly at this time, when the condition
of affairs in Kansas and Utah reminds us daily
of the great value of legal restraints, and the
great danger of weakening any of those bonds
by which alone either individuals or nations
can live in peace and harmony together. We
give no undue place in our esteem to these re-
straints but what nation, or State, or society,"
can exist without them? Neither do we under
estimate that spirit of progress which is so
often invoked by the apologists for Walker.
But we remember that the mission of our Re-
public is to teach the great lesson of selfg gov
eminent, and that this lesson is hardly to be
| taught by those whose conduct is opposed to
law and in conflict with justice. 'Our great,
our high duty it has been we'll said, is to
show in our own example, that the spirit of
free government is spirit of health as we'll as
a spirit of power that its benignity is as great
as its strength that its efficiency to secure in
iy;d oil inhf rola md
der, is equal to the irresistible force with which
it prostrates Principalties and Powers Does
any mau believe that this lesson can be taught
by Walker and his followers 2"
The article reflects the spirit and policy of
the Notwithstanding, fearful, reluc-
tant to assume responsibility ss in the
case of Governor Walker and Kansas, until it
finally committed itself to the indecent policy
of the Lecompton Constitution. 1t is against
filibustering, and for progress-agsinst Walker,
and yet not decidedly for Paulding-pleased
with the breaking up of Walkers expedition,
thing contemplated by the Letter of Instruc-
tons, but doubtful as to the mode in which il
was accomplished, although that was the only
one which could prove effectual. On the
whole, the sword is he'd suspended over the
head of the Commodore, and he may yet fall a
victim to sppesse the Filibusters, unless they
can be bought up with assurances Of the &C.
QUESTION Of Cuba.
This is the bride held out by Southern Ad
ministration journals to reconcile the Extre
mists to the anti. flibustering policy of the
President. The Richmond (Va.) Enquirer
sustains this policy, as necessary to the real
expansion of our Territory, and, in discoursing
upon it, takes care to observe, that 4" the &C.
QUESTION of Cuba is an object most earnestly
to be desired. And we trust that the day is not
distant, when, like bright star, SO long halt
hidden by an untowsrd eclipse, it may be seen
shining with its natural lustre in the constelIa.
ton of the Union. But let US not acquire il
by connivance on the part of our Government
at the illegitimate purpose of an expedition
| fitted out in our own cities and embarked from
| our own shores. We would rejoice to see Cen
trail America prosperous and steady under in
situations akin to our own. But we applaud
the President for his course, in using every ex.
ertion for the prevention of General Walkers
| expedition. Mexico is still distracted with in
testine troubles, A foray by few thousand
| adventurous Americans might soon disclose 10
us another clone STAR" and of greater magni
tude, waiting to be added to the Union. But
it would not comport with the high national
character of the people of the United States, to
instigate any such illegal enterprise"
The Washington correspondent of the Phil
adelphia Press, writing of the complicated
troubles in which the Administration is involv
ed by Kansas affairs and the capture of Gene
raj Walker, remarks
"The acquisition of Cuba, or of some ada
cent southern country, is the very best step to
| calm and extinguish the discord which has for
some time disturbed the quiet of these States
1t was wisely said to Mr.. Buchanan, few DAYS
ago, by gentleman whose opinion he asked
as to the best remedy for the Kansas trouble
Change the programme; substitute Cuba for
Kansas, and the Ostend Manifesto for the LIE
compton Convention The President smiled
and frightened up at an idea which went home
to one of his warmest feelings and aspirations
| All the troubles, disagreements, and midadven
lures, that may occur to him, in an adminstra
ton which begins already to be an eventfu
one, will be forgotten in the splendor of the re
alization of the aim and object of the Ostend
Manifesto-the acquisition of that magnificent
possession, Cuba querida.'"
1t is easy to see that the Administration il
already involved in inextricable difficulties. 1
is rapidly losing the confidence even of it
friends, North and South, who must be mort
fed by its want of frankness, decision, and en-
ergy. The proceedings and debates of THU
Congress will subject it to the severest test, anc
we should not be surprised if an adjournment