Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-22

foundation of the law Of all nations is con-
tanned in the Divine command that "All
things whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do 20 even so to them" Tried
by this unerring rule, we should be severely
condemned if we shall not use our bcst ex-
crtions TO arrest such expeditions against
our feeble sister republic of Nicaragua.-
One thing is very certain, that people never
existed who would call any other nation TO
a stricter account than we should ourselves,
for tolerating lawless expeditions from their
shores to make war upon any portion of
our territories.
By tolerating such expeditions we shall
soon lose the high character which we have
enjoyed ever since the days of Washington,
for the faithful performance of our interna-
tonal obligations and duties, and inspire
distrust against us among the members of
the great family of civilized nations.
But if motives Of duty were not sufficient
to restrain us from engaging in such awless
enterprises our evident interest ought to die
tate this policy. These expeditions are the
most effectual mode of retarding American
progress; although to promote this is the
avowed object Of the leaders and contribu-
tors in such undertakings.
II is beyond question tho destiny of our
race to spread themselves over the cont.
nent of North America, and this at no dis.
tant day, should events be permitted tc
take their natural course. The tide of en-
igrants will flow to the South, and permit
ted to go there, peacefully Central Ameri
ca will soon contain an American population
which will confer blessings and benefits a;
well upon the natives as their respective
{ governments. Liberty, under the restraint
Of law, will preserve domestic peace; while
the different transit routes across the 18th
mus in which we are so deeply interested
will have assured protection.
Nothing has retarded this happy condi
ton of affairs so much as the unlawful ex
peditions which have been fitted out IN tn
United States to make war upon Contra
, American States. Had ouc-balf of tn
number of American citizens, who have mis-
/. erably perished in the first disastrous expe
dition of Gen. Walker, settled in Nicara
qua as peaceful emigrants, the object whicl
, we all desire would ere this have been, in
great degree, accomplished. These expe
= ditions have caused the people of the Cen
+ tral American States to regard us wit
dread and suspicion. 1t is our true polio
a to remove this apprehension, and to convinc
i. them that we intend to do them good an
a not evil We desire, as the leading powe
on this continent, to open, and if need be
p to protect every transit route across tn
n Isthmus, not only for our own benefit, br
a that of the world, and thus open free az
, cess to Central America and thro' it to OF
IS Pacific possessions. This policy was con
n menced under favorable auspices, when tn
> command of Gen. Walker escaped from OIL
r. Territories and proceeded to Punta Arena
J. Should another expedition of similar cha
j. again evade the vigilance of our officer
,s and proceed to Nicaragua, this would be f
# tai, at least for season, TO the peaceful Sc
# tlement of these countries and to the pol
n, cy of American progress. The truth
y. that no Administration can successfully COZ
IF duct the foreign affairs of the country
10 Central America or anywhere else, if it
e. TO be interfercd with at every step by la,
of less military expeditions "set on foot in Il
N United States
I'd JAMES BUCHANAN.