Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-05


expeditions against the Central American
States, and then adds the following:-
! Declarations like these need no interprc
tatioo. They suit the present exjgency Of
affairs, as well as they did those which ex-
listed at the time they were written. Fill
! clustering expeditions are earnestly depreca-
/ ted, in the general and in the Particular; and
the frOwns Of the country are invoked upon
them. They are Reproduced as clearly un-
lawful, wrong intrinsically, and disgraceiul
to the character of the country. They are
deplored as impeding the administration IN
its legitimate prosecution Of our interests IN
Central America; as bringing disaster to the
very objects their conductors profess to have
10 view; as tending to prejudice American
interests and blast American prospects 10
those regions, irretrievabIy and hopelessiy
The message represents the administration
as seeking, successfully, by treaty stipula-
tons and amicab!e, honorable, and legiti-
mate means, to obtain and secure rights Of
transit, commerce, and peaceful enterprise,
for our people, in several portions OF the
isthmus One treaty Of the sort Is already
in existence with New Granada. If news
paper rumor is to lie credited, another is IN
progress, if it has not been already consum-
mated, with the government Of Nicaragua,
in regard to the very transit route OF which
Walker was preparing to take possession
In all probability, still otuCr efforts in the
same direction are in progress or contomPla-
ton; so that cur citizens are not only likely
TO be protected from loss or violence in pros
ecuting their lawful commerce along the
q 30 l.,
routes themselves are likely u be c0nsecra-
ted and preserved u the commerce Of all ma
tons and the benefit OF the world. Il l.
quite clear, we think, that the breaking up
of the Walker expedition was the very re-
suit contemplated by the previous instruc
tons of the government, however much the
mode and manner of the interruption may
have been in conflict with either Captain
Paulding's instructions or with the strict
rules Of International law. 1t is not prOba-
bic that these instructions contemplated the
landing OF the forces Of the United States
upon the soil Of Nicaragua; but it Is not pre-
bable, either, that the government of Nlcara-
qua will complain of the aggression. 1t IS
not our purpose now to inquire into this
part of the transaction, or to consider what
course the administration may think II right
u pursue towards Capt Pauliing, with re-
ference to the security Of our own govern
ment against unauthorized acts on the part
Of our officers abroad. These subjects Will
be appropriately dealt with, we have no
doubt, in due time, and with a ust regard to
all the circumstances of the case. Our pur-
pose now is more especially to point out to
our readers that nothing has occurred which
ought to change the views Of the President
or the policy Of the administration, as they
are explained and enforced in the preceding
extract from the annual message. The
country will still recognise and appreciate
the grieyous injury which lawless expedi-
tons, like that Of Walker must tend to IL
flict upon all our national Interests, CONNER
cal and political, in Central America, and
the popular judgment will, doubtless, also
determine for itself what substantial adyaE-
tage may inure to our national character
and lawful objects in that quarter from Cap
| tain Paulding's recent act. That officer &C
| knowledges that he assumed grave respon-
siblity 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 will be met we
have no doubt, in o proper spirit.
| In the mean time, we hope that those Of
our cOuntrymen who direct their attention 10
/ 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 justice and right, and in harmony with
the established principles OF international
law The same law of nations which exists
| for other countries exists also for our own,
and until we are prepared to submit to a.
gressions ourselves, we ought not TO encOur-
age aggressiors upon others.
! Wo oan VOL undo:etnnd tho regret which
exists IN many portions OF the Union that
the resources Of Central America have not
been more fully developed, and that the
TRANSIT routes which connect the two oceans
should be subject u 50 many difficulties and
Interruptions but this development is not to
be secured by tue continuance OF illegal e1
petitions against governments with whom
We are at peace and the safety Of the transit
routes is not to be accomplished by making
them the scenes Of violence and the prizes OF
successful war. The peaceful policy Of the
President, as defined in his message to Con.
gress besides being the only policy on this
subject which is consistent with the just
rights Of our neghbors, is the only policy,
we verify believe, under which anything
valuable can be ccOmplshed on this CONT
nent for American Interests We may fair
~ appeal, therefore, - every good citizen to
give it his cordial support and We may do
50 the more earnestly at this time when the
condition Of affairs in Kansas and Utah re-
minds US daily Of tie great value Of legal
restraints, and the great danger Of weaken
ing 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 restraints; but what
nation or State or society can exist without
them? Neither do we underestimate that
spirit of progress which is so often invoked
by the apologiSts for Walker. But we re-
member that the mission Of our republic is
to teach the great lesson Of scltgOvernment,
and that this lesson is hardly 10 be taught
by those whose conduct is opposed to law
aud in conflict with justice. "Our great, our
high duty" iii has been well said rs to
show, in our OVID example, that the spirit OF
free government is a spirit Of health as well
as a spirit of power; that its bGnignity is as
great as its strength; that its efficiency u Sc
cure individual rights, social relations, and
moral order, is equal to the irresistible force
with which it prUstrates priDcipalities and
powers" Does any man believe taat this
lesson can be taught by Walker and his fol-