The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-09

own people must infinitely surpass it; however
great may be European emigration to those
countries after stable government shall have
been attained there, Our own will exceed ii
hundred fold The greater proximity of our
ports, and the far greater amount of our inter
course that will seek these routes, can have no
other result. Any European interference in the
domestic affairs Of these regions could only re-
ault in presenting innumerable points Of conflict
with our citizens, which would not only keep
alive but greatly increase the number of " irri-
tating if not dangerous" international ques-
tons.
European minds can with difficulty conceive
how it is that we experience q degree of bitter
ness that to them seems "out Of proportion to
the Importance of the subject, in regard to our
controversies with them; but ii is precisely be-
cause all these questions relate to matters
in America--and not only in America, but
Immediately within the sphere of our
daily intercourse among ourselves-that
they have an importance to us which they do
not possess for Europe If the statesmen and
journalists of Europe viii suppose a reverse
case, as for instance, persistent assertion of
imaginary rights anywhere in the British Chan
nell or an effort to obtain the fortress Of Cueta,
opposite Gibraltar, or foothold upon the Isle
Of Man, in view Of our prospective interests of
commercial transit, they will see at once how
such course on our part would come home
to the understanding of their people, and
create bitter questions too. But it is because
the people Of Europe know little of and care
less for the intrigues of their Cabinets and di-
plomatists on this side of the ocean that they
think the question with us of little Importance.
They might well ask themselves another ques-
ton, why the people of America take so little
interest in the international questions of Eu-
rope, which to them are of so great Importance?
1t is these great ehgencies that are forcing
upon our government complete change in our
Central American policy, and compelling it to
assume position not only of protection to the
Transit routes, but of ultimate dominant inAu-
ence in the internal affairs Of those coun-
tries. And they will gain by it, and the
whole world will gain by il. Peace, order
and industrial development will be restored
to them. The much that they have which is
good in their legislation, literature and social
customs will be strengthened and preserved.
while all that is anarchical disintegrating and
decaying will be swept away. A higher,
more permanent and progressing civilization
will displace the recession that now rules, and
none will be greater gamers in this than those
communities themselves.
The London Tines, in view of this impending
domination Of American influence in Central
America has, in its comments upon President
Buchanan's annual message, striking admis-
sion. Expressing its pleasure at the statement
of the President that 'the interest Of the two
countries is identical-being confined to Sc
curing a safe transit over all the routes across
the isthmus"-it says: "Let the American GO
vernment give proof of this, and we are sure
tina. matters will be speedily settled" The
American government will very soon give
proof of this, when it shall have exercised the
influence in Central America which it is destined
to attain; nay, 1t has already given proof Of 1t.
We have sought for no exclusive control in the
late treaty with Nicaragua; and more than that,
in recent and still pending questions with
New Granada regarding the mail tax
for transit of the isthmus OF Panama,
il has adhered to the principle that territorial
sovereignty gives no right of seignorage upon
goods for the simple permission Of transit. In
doing this II is defending the interests Of every
commercial nation, as we'll as its own, and that,
too, upon a point which Great Britain had
abandoned years ago.
In adopting the policy Of direct influence
and protection over the routes across the Anne
rican Isthmus, our government is not only
taking that course which the cxigencics
of the case require, but it Is accepting q
mission of high import for the whole world.
The interests Of every nation in this re-
spect are identical, for all desire the perpetu-
its Of peace and safe transit there. None other
than our government can exercise the influence
there which is necessary to attain this; and
none other can control the immense tide of emf
grafton which IL already preparing to set
toward those shores.