Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-30

The Bmh<r4stOn TO N1caragua.
It has been stated for some days past that
application has been made to the Collector Of
this port for the clearance of a vessel with
passengers from this place to San Juan del
Norte. The public has been also Informed
that this application has, under orders previ-
ously received. been referred to the Depart
ment at Washington, but we are not yet adj
vised that the Secretary of the Treasury has
sent a definite reply to the formal applica-
ton Of the agents Of the vessel We are also
told by the New Orleans papers that the Col
lector Of that port has been ordered not to
clear any vessel for ports of Nicaragua before
communicating with the head of his Depart
ment So much for the restrictions sought to
be placed on trade and travel between the
Southern States of the Union and the ports of
Central America.
On the other hand we find thai some ten or
twelve days ago the steamer Washington was,
without any delay or suspicion cleared from
New York for San Juan del Norte with more
than $50 passengers. We are furthermore as
sured that the owners of the Washington
have positive pledges that their passengers
will not only be protected in their landing at
San Juan, but in their transit over the 18th
mus, by the naval forces of the United States
stationed in the Caribbean sea and in the
Pacific for that very purpose The tele-
graphic correspondents also add. and we are
told correctly, that the Secretary of State,
General Cass, has written sharp note rebu
king Senior JereZ, reputed Minister of Mic
aragua, for his interference with the business
of the Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal Com
pany in carrying passengers from New York
to San Juan del Norte, and thence by the
waters and across the territory of Central
America So much for the encouragement
and protection given to trade and travel be
tween the Northern States of this Union and
Nicaragua.
These facts. which cannot, we believe, be
gainsaid or denied, are pregnant with serious
consequences. not only to the existing Adj
mlnlstratIOn, but to the permanence of the
Government itself. They are among the gra-
vest of the signs which indicate thaS there is
no hope for us of the South except in the last
resort of wronged and injured people. We
entreat the Federal authorities not to permit
themselves to be made the instruments of
policy which may drive themselves and the
Government to destruction. aud we hope they
will pause and reflect seriously before they
enter upon course the results of which none
can foresee Let them reason calmly, and
notrush blindly towards the precipice their
and our enemies have prepared for u.s.
We must admit our surprise
will be great if the present Administration,
either ignorantly or otherwise, places itself in
the hands of Freesoilism for the pursuance OF
such policy as the one indicated. The facts
glanced AT In our opening paragraphs are suS-
picious. but God grant that coming events
may remove all invidious surmises, and leave
the Administration free from the reproaches
of those who elevated it to power We sim
cerely trust that neither the representations
of envy, nor the caluEny of hatred which
springs from base motives, will seduce the
Administration into a course fatal TO the in-
fluence of those Southern States. Men who
profess to live in Alabama. and who reside at
Washington, are unsafe guides as to the
policy the friends of the Government here ex-
pect at its hands; and they may prove yet
more fatal in their counsels. when heated by
prejudice, or exasperated by the just respon-
SEES an indignant public opinion has showered
Oh their heads. Let not the Executive place
trust in such advisers. If the blind follow
the blind. they will both fall into the ditch"
For ourselves. regard the Efforts no,o heing
made 10 induce emigration 10 Nicaragua from the
Southern States as the last struggle 10 MAINTAIN the
rights of Slavery in the Union. If we cannot
bring hither the labor necessary for our pur
poses, and five are denied the right TO remove
to country where the supply may be less
hampered by artificial restraints than here,
what is left us but disunion and its conse-
quences?