Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-22
The Central american Question.

The English and French journals frequently ca
tighten their readers upon the designs Of the
American government in respect to Central Amtri-
ca In their view the government Of The United
States is seeking exclusive possession Of the routes
across the Isthmus, both for commercial and pOliti
cal ends We are warned against our ambitious
projects and are told hat England and France will
not ALLOW heir commerce 10 be shut out from free
passage across the American continent WehOpe
that the Presidents explicit declaration in his recent
Message, that the United States ''Would not, If
they could, derive any advantage from the Nieara-
gnan route not ccmmon to the rest Of the world, %
viii be sufficient safety these European journals
Of their error. General CAss' letter 10 Mr.. LAMAR,
upon the same poini, says: % The Uniied States 90
net seek either the control or the exclusive use Of
these routes They desire that The adysn. ages
should be equally common to all nations" 1t is
very plain from these declarations that the United
States are seeking no exclusive advantages in the
settlement Of the Central American question, but
that the purpose is to open the routes across the
Isthmus 10 the commerce and travel Of all nations
While making these declarations regarding the in
tentions Of the United States, Gen CAss is equally
explicit in respect 10 the Intervention Of European
powers, in any other way than by joining to secure
the freedom Of these routes, and to 'make them
neutral highways Of the world, not to be disturbed
BY the operations Of war. Dwelling upon this sub
ject he says:
"But the establishment Of political PrOtectorats
by any Of the powers of Europe over any Of the
independent States Of this continent or, in other
words the introduction Of ascheme Of policy which
would carry with it right to interfere in their con-
cerns is measure to which the United States have
long since avoWed their opposition, and which
should the attempt be made they will resist by all
the means in their power. The reasons for the si-
tude they have assumed have been promulgated
and are everywhere we'll known. There is no need
upon this occasion, to recaptulRte them. They are
found on the political circumstances Of the Ameri-
lean continent which has interests Of its own and
ought TO have q policy Of its own disconnected
from many Of the questions which are continually
presenting themselves in Europe concerning the
balance Of power, and other subjects Of controversy
arising out of the condition Of its States and which
often find their solution or their pOstponement in
war. 1t is Of paramount Importance 10 the States
Of this hemisphere that they should have entang~
ling union with the powers of the old world con-
neotion which would almost necessarily make them
parties TO wars having interest for them, and
which would often involve them in hosilities with
the other American States, contiguous or remote.
The years which have passed by since this principle
Of separation was first announced by the United
States have served still to satisfy the people
Of this country Of its wisdom and to fortfy their
resolution to maintain it, happen what may"
This, says the Philadelphia Ledger, is language
net easily to be misunderstood and it is language
which the people CT the United States viii endorse
by their action, if circumstances should require
them to do so. They want no exclusive privileges,
and they will not permit any other nation to have
any The United States claim for their citizens no
avrusva ribt IN form Contra cts for onenin trsusi.
routes across the Isthmus Mr.. Belly or any one
else may make such contracts with the Central
American Powers. But no contract with Mr.. Belly,
or any one else, shall be allowed to interfere with
previously existing engagements with American
citizens, and the regulations and conditions Of the
grant shall be such as render the routes safe and
free to all nations, but controlled by nOne and upon
moderate and reasonable terms.