Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-10-06
mo central American Imbrogiio.


While Great Britain has been negotiating with
the Central American powers with regard to the
rights Of British subjects in Nicaragua, our Govern
nent has taken prompt and active measures to re-
dress the wrongs which American citizens have sus-
tanned there and prevent the repetition Of such 1
wrongs in the future Mr.. Csss has recently ad- /
dressed q note to Gen. Lamar our Minister TO Qua
temala and Costa Rics, which msnifests purpose
on the part Of the Administration to put end to
the trifing, tempOrzing, and insulting conduct Of
the Nicaragusn authorities in their Intercourse with
our Government It is the broadest and boldsst
announcement, says the New York Herald, Of an
American policy for the American continent that
has ever been enunoiated, and viii cOmmand the
unhesitatiug approval Of every patriotic citizen.
Direct and to the point in its arguments and prnci
pies. and without bOmbast or demagoguism in its
treatment Of great truths is will command respect
everywhere, and become text book for all future
administrations. The absurd theory Of ga mastery
inae,iviy is thrown overheard never TO be recover
ed, sDd policy Of action is announced thai in Prae
tioe will rebound to the honor Of the country and
the safety Of our citizens and their interest in every
quarter Of the habitable globe. Tie immediate &C.
casion OF this dispatch the mendacous deelaraS
lions Of Presidents Martinez and Mora, n their apN
peal to the Powers Of Europe for protection against
the hllibustering tendencies of the American gov
ernment and its tone ard tenor viii be lesson
not only to the imoeeile governments Of Nicaragua
and Costa Rca, but to eli the ansrchieal and semi
anarchioal communities Of this continent.
Four great comprehensive principles are annonnc-
ed Is the corner stones Of the foreign policy Of Mr.
in American nuRgtinnu
and they should stand as firmly the rock Of ages.
These are: first that The routes Of transit across the
American Isthmus must be open and free to the
commerce of the whole world second, that no Eu-
ropean proteetorates shall be established in the
srohioaI nstiOns Of this continent; third that the
lives and interests Of American citizens abroad
must and shall be protected; and fourth, that
the executive DEGREES Of ephemeral Presidents in
the sprnish- American States will not be reoOg-
niEed as law when they conflict with the legally
ACQUIRED rights of American citizens. Coupled with
these great principles is the significant announce
ment by General Cass that this government is deter
mined to put q stop to the abuse of weakness which
has so1oDg characterized the course Of the ever
changing rulers in the Spanish American republics;
and that if those countries cannot maintain govern
ments that will recognise and abide by their Obliga
tions under the Law of nations the American people
and the American government will take the doing
Of justice to their citizens into their own hands.
The justice, grandeur and bOldness of the princi-
PIES here announced by Mr.. Buchanan viii form an
era in our foreign relations and commend the Amer
lean policy to the approval of the whole world.
Nothing could be more comprehensive or more d.
rect than the language of General Casss despatch to
General Lamar. And while We have this clear ex-
position of principles on one side, we have the evil
denoes Of energetic action on another. The prepar
sOns for the expedition to Paraguay are an earnest
proof Of the determination Of the administration to
act up to the spirit and energy Of Its words. Our
ships of war have also been ordered to the ports Of
Nicaragua to show to the foolish rulers of that
public that our questions with her be removed
from the stagnantp pool Of diplomatic correspondence
end ventilated in the fresh breezes Of life and action.
The lessons this document teaches to Nicaragua
and Costa Rica are equally applicable to Mexico and
many other of the Spanish American republics, and
their rulers would do well to take heed Of them.
There is a complement Of this great American policy
which the country hopes to see worked out with equal
iustice and boldness by Mr.. Buchanan. The Cuban
question has been as great dilemma to our public
men IS have those Of our relations with the Spanish
American States Let Mr.. Buchanan take hold of
this az be has taken hold Of those The policy of
"a mastery inactivity is bumbug, and such sim
lilies as that .the pear will fall when it is ripe are
fallacious FruitsrOt upon the tree when not picked
and no policy advances except as it is worked GU! by
the hearts and hands Of men. Mr.. buchanan has
shown that he was equal to the solution Of the
Spanish Amer can enigma, and the Development of
an American policy for America. He can also cut
the Gordian knot of the Cuba question.