Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-13

on foot" in the United States; but the great object
of the law to save foreign States with whom we
were at peace from the ravages of these wless ex-
petitions proceeding from our shores. The seventh
section alone, therefore, which simply defines the!
crime and its punishment, would bave been made.
auate to accomplish this purpose and enforce our
international duties In order to render the law ef
fectual. it necessary to prevent the carrying
on" Of such expeditions to their consummation sitter
they had succeeded in leaving our shores.
This has been done effectually, and in clear and
explicit language by the authority given to the Pre-
sident under the eighth section of the act to employ
the land and naval forces Of the United States Tor
the purpose Of preventing the carving on OF any
iudrsdction of the United States against the terri.
tories or domain of any foreign prince or State or OF
any colony district, or people with whom the United
States arc at peace
For these reasons, had Commodore Paulding in:
tercepted the steamer IS Fashion," with General
Walker and his command on board, at any period
before they entered the port Of San Juan de Mic
araeua and conducted them back to Mobile, this
would have prevented them from carrying on" the
expedition, and have been not only justhabic but
praiseworthy act. .#
The crime well deserves the severe punishment
inflicted upon it by laws 1t violates the prin-
ciples of Christianity, morality, and humanity, held
sacred by all civilized nations, and by none more
than by the people Of the United States. Disguise
it may, such military expedition is an invita-
reckless
banner of any adventurer to rob, plumber and muir
der the unoffending citizens of neighboring States
who have never done them HARM 1t is q usurpation
of the war-makng power, which belongs alone to
Congress and the Government itself, at least in the
estimation of the world, becomes an accomplish in
the commission of this crime, unless it adopts all the
means necessary to prevent and to punish 1t. 1t
would be far better and more in accordance with the
bold and manly character of countrymen for the
Government itself to get up such expeditions than
to allow them to proceed under the command OF IT.
responsible Adventures. We could Them atleast,
exercise some control over our own agents. and pre-
vent them from burning down cities and committing
other acts of enormity of which we have read.
The avowed principle which lies at the foundation
of the law of nations is contained in the Divine CON-
mand that ",All things whatsoever ye would that
men shonld do to you, do ye even so to them"
Tried by this unerring rule, we should be severely
condemned if we shall not use our best exertlons to
arrest such expeditions against feeble sister Re-
public of Nicaragua One thing is very certain, that
people never existed who would call any other ma
ton 10 a stricter account than should ourselves,
for tolera.ng lawess expeditions from their shores
to make war upon any portion Of ourlterritores.
By toleratng such expeditions, We shall soon lose
the high character which have enjoyed ever
since the days Of Washington, for the faithful per-
Torrance of our international obligations and dues
and inspire diStrust against US among the members
of the great family of civilized nations
But il motives of duty were not sufficient to re-
strain US from engaging in ,uch awess enterprises,
evident interest ought to dictate this policy
These expeditions the most eectual mode OF re-
tarding American progress; although to promote
this is the avOwed object of the leaders and contr-
butors in such undertakings.
1t is beyond question the destiny of our race to
spread themselves the continent of North
America, and this at no distant day, should events
be permitted to take their natural course. The tide
of emigration will flow to the South, and nothing
ftnlf I'm
60 there peacefully Central America will soon con-
tain an American population. which will confer
blessings and benefits as well upon the natives as
their respective Governments. Liberty, under the
restraint of law, will preserve domestic peace while
the different transit waters the sthmus, in
which we are deeply interested, will have assured
protection
Nothing has retarded this happy condition of affairs
so much as the unlawful expeditions which have
been fitted out in the United States to make war
upon the Central American States. Had one half OF
the number of American citizens who have misera-
bly, persisted in the first disastrous expedition OF
General Walker settled in Nicaragua as peaceful
emit rants, the object which all desire would ere
this have been, in great degree. accomplished.
These expeditions have caused the people of the
Central American States to regard US with dread
and suspicion. 1t is our true policy to remove this
apprehension, and to convince them that we intend
to do them good, and not evil. We desire, as the
leading Power on this continent, to open, and, il
need be, to protect every transit route across the
isthmus not only for our own benefit, but that Of
the world, and thus open a free access to Central
America, and through it to Pacific possessions.
This policy was commenced under favorable auspi.
ces, when the expedition, under the command Of
General Walker, escaped from our territories and
proceeded to Punta Arenas. Should another expe-
dtion of similar character again evade the vgi-
lance Of our officers and proceed to Nicaragua this
would be fatal, at least for season. to the peaceful
settlement these n he
American progress. The truth is, that admins
traton successfully conduct the foreign affairs
of the country in Central America, any where
ese if it is to be interfcrcd with at every step by
lawless military expeditions "set foot" in the
United States.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, January Z, 1858.
President Buchanan.