The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-14
THE WASHINGTON UNION UPON THE AR.
REST OF GEN. WALKER.


| The Presidents message represents the AID.
minis tration as seeking, successfully, by treaty
stipulations, and amicable, honorable, and le-
| climate 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 newspaper rumor is to
be credited, another is in progress, if it has not
been already contaminated, with the Govern
ment OF Nicaragua, in regard to the very trans.
1t route of which Walker was preparing to take
possession. In all probability still other efforts
In the same direction are in progress or con-
temptation; so that our citizens are not only
likely to be protected from loss or violence in
prosecuting their lawful commerce along the
transit routes of Central America, but the
routes themselves are likely to be consecrated
and preserved to the commerce of all nations
and the benefit Of the world.
1t Is quite clear, we think, that the breaking
up ct the Walker expedition was the very result
contemplated by the previous instructions of
the Government, however much the mode and
manner may have been in conflict with either
Captain Paulding's instructions, or with the
strict rules of international law. 1t is not prob
able that these instructions contemplated the
landing of the forces OF the United States upon
the soil of Nicaragua; but 1t is not probable,
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 it RIGHT
to pursue towards Captain Paulding, with ref
erence to the security of our own Government
against unauthorized acts on the part of orr
officers abroad. The subjects will be apnronr;.
ately dealt with, we have no doubt in due time.
and with just regard to all the circumstances
OF the case. Our purpose now is more esne.
claify to point out to our readers that nothing
whatever has occurred which ought to change
the views of the President or the policy of the
Administration, as they are explained and en-.
forced IN the preceding extract from the animal
message. The country will still recognise and
appreciate the grievous injury which lawless
expeditions, like that of Walker, must tend TO
inhict upon all our national interests, CONNER
cial and political, in Central America. and the
popular judgment will doubtless also determine
tor itself what substantial advantage NAV inure
to our national character and lawful objects in
that quarter, from Captain Paulding's recent
act. That officer acknowledges that he as
sumed grave responsibility in taking the step
he did, and throws himself upon the Adminis
trstion, Congress, and the country, for his JUS
tihcation 1t is bold and frank appeal, and
will be met, we have no doubt, in a proper
spirit.
In the mean time we hope that those Of our
countrymen who direct their attention to the
foreign policy of the United States will not
forget that this policy can neither be wise nor
successful, unless 1t is In conformity with Justice
and right, and IN harmony with the established
principles OF international law. The came law
of nations which exists for other countries. ex
lists also tor our own and until we are prepared
to submit to aggresslons ourselves, we ought
not to encourage aggressions upon others.
We can well understand the regret which ex
lists in many portions of the Union, that the re-
sources of Central America have not been more
fully developed, and that the transit routes
which connect the two oceans should be subject
to 80 many difficulties and Interruptions; but
taiS Development IS not to be secured by the con-
tinwance Of illegal expeditions against Govern
naerts aonh tohom zoe are at peace, and the
safety Of the transit routes is not to be accom-
pttshed by making them the scenes of violence,
and the prizes of successful ,oar. The peace
ful policy of the President as defined in his
message to Congress, besides being the only
policy on this subject which is consistent with
the just rights OF our neighbors, is the only
policy, we verify believe, under which anything
valuable can be accomp!ished'on this continent
for American interests. We may fairly appeal,
therefore, to every good citizen, to give it his
cordial support; and we may do DO the more
| earnestly at this time, when the condition of
affairs in Kansas and Utah reminds us daily of
| the great value of legal restraints, and the
| great danger OF weakening 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 soci-
ETY., can exist without them? Neither do we
under estimate that spirit of progress which is
so often invoked by the apologists for Walker.
But we remember that the mission of our Re.
| public is to teach the great lesson of selfgov.
eminent, and that this lesson is hardly to be
| taught by those whose conduct is opposed to
law, and in conflict with justice. " Our great
our high duty" it has been well said, is to
show, in our example, that the spirit of free
government is a spirit of health as we'll as
spirit of power; that it's benignity is as great
as its strength; that its efficiency to secure in
dividual rights, social relations, and moral or.
der, is equal to the irresistible force with which
it prostrates principalities and powers" Dees
any man believe that this lesson can be taught
n