The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-01

and engagements light.
The American Policy for the American CONT
nent DevelOped-Mr. Buchanan's Settle
ment or the Central American Imbroglio.
The comprehensive and categorical despatch
of Gen. Cass to Gen. Lamar on the pending
questions with Nicaragua given in the letter of
our Leon correspondent in another column, will
be read with great interest at home as well as
abroad.
1t is the broadcast and boldest announcement
OF an American policy for the American CONT
nent that has ever been enunciatcd, and will
command the unhesitating approval Of every
patriotic citizen. Direct and to the point in its
arguments and principles, and without bombast
or demagoguism in its treatment of great truths
it will command respect everywhere, and be-
come text book for all future administrations
The absurd theory of "a mastery inactivity is
thrown overheard never to be recovered, and
policy of action is announced that in practice
will rebound to the honor of the country and the
safety of our citizens and their interests in every
quarter of the habitable globe. The immediate
occasion of this despatch was the mendacious
declarations of Presidents Martinez and Mora
in their appeal to the Powers of Europe for pro-
lection against the filibustering tendencies Of
the American government; and its tone and
tenor will be lesson, not only to the imbecile
governments OF Nicaragua and Costa Rica, but
to all the anarchical and semi-anarchical COM
munities of this continent.
-Four great and comprehensive principles are
announced as the corner stones of the foreign
policy of Mr.. Buchanan's administration in Anne
can questions, and they should stand as firmly
as the rock of ages. These are: first, that the
routes OF transit across the American Isthmus
must be open and free to the commerce of the
whole world second, that no European protec-
torates shall he established in the anarchical
nations of this continent; third, that the lives
and interests of American citizens abroad must
and shall be protected; and fourth, that the
executive DEGREES Of ephemeral Presidents in
the Spanish-Ameriean States will not be recog-
nized as law when they conflict with the le-
gally acquired rights Of American citi-
zens. Coupled with these great princi-
Piles is the significant announcement by General
Cass that this government is determined to put
a stop to the abuse of weakness which has so
long characterized the course of the ever chang
ing rulers in the Spanish American republics;
and that if those countries cannot maintain
governments that will recognise and abide by
their obligations under the law Of nations, the
American people and the American government
will take the doing of justice to their citizens
into their own hands.
The justice, grandeur and boldness Of the
IL bxM NJ p,x,lll
form an era in our foreign relations, and COM
mend the American policy to the approval of
the whole world. Nothing could be more COM
prehensive OF more direct than the language of
General Cass's despatch TO General Lamar And
while we have this clear exposition Of principles
on one side, we have the evidences Of energetic
action on another. The preparations for the
expedition to Paraguay are an earnest proof of
the determination Of the administration to act
up to the spirit and energy Of its words Our
ships of war have also been ordered to the ports
Of Nicaragua. TO show to the foolish rulers Of
that republic that our questions with her are to
be removed from the stagnant pool Of diplo-
matte correspondence and ventilated in the
fresh brcczes Of life and action.
ne U~>bHN iHir aptNHt'h' tt"NhNH w ANiStha
qua aud Costa Rca are equally applicable to
Mexico and many other Of the Spanish-American
republic. and their rulers would do well to take
heed of them. There il complement Of this
great American policy which the country hopes
60 sec worked out with equal justice and
boldness by Mr. Buchanan The Cuban question
has been a. great a dilemma to our public men
a. have those Of our relations with the Spanish
American States. Let Mr.. Buchanan take hold
Of this a. be has taken hold Of those The poll
cy Of mastery inactivity is humbug, and
such SMILES as that the pear viii fall when Ii
l. ripe are fallacious. Fruits rot upon the tree
when not picked, and no policy advances except
o. II Is worked out by the hearts and hands Of
men. Mr. Buchanan has shown that he was equal
TO the solution Of the Spanish-American enigma,
and the developcment Of an American policy
for America. lie can also cut the Gordian knot
Of the Cuba question
THE LOCATION OF QUARASTTNE.-We continue
TO receive communications on the subject Of the
location Of the new Quarantine establishment.