The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-02
Peril OF Our Interests ON the sthmus
II, utes-What n Corrupt Congress Has
LII ought Upon U.s.


II. utes-What n Corrupt Congress Has
l., ought Upon Us.
The ., sition of affairs in all our relations with
the Spanish American States is one that re-
quires the immediate and urgent atteltion of
the government In many If not in all Of them,
The in rigues of European emissaries on one
side, and the unftness of our own representa-
tves, combined with the criminal neglec of Con-
gress on the other, have brought our citations
with those States to such crisis thatat any
moment we may find ourselves with two or
three petty wars on our hands, and most ex-
cited condition in our diplomatic relations with
the Western Powers of Europe.
Nicaragua has again bearded us, no in re-
jccting our treaty or refusing to make mother,
but in again, without the shadow Of a cause, seiz-
ing the steamers belonging to American Iitizens.
A more fragrant case could hardly be buud In
the annals of international enmity, and iplainly
shows to how low a state our national nme and
influence has been degraded by the rfusal of
Congress to do its duty in the PREMISE Next
after Nicaragua comes Mexico. Presidat Mira
mon has done all he could to drive our country
men from the republic; he has imposed
another forced loan, after the manner II Zulo-
aga, but not quite so fragrant, which every
foreigner must pay; and now he contanplates
confscating the grant Of the Tehuanteplc Com
pany, and turning it over to certain subjects OF
the Catholic Powers of Europe. Heresy every
shape political as well as theological Is to be
driven from Mexico; and Americans are doubly
heretics, being so both in politics and rligion.
Thus the Tehuantepec and Nicaragua rotes are
to be saved That across Honduras is ecured
by taking possession of Tigre Island in be Bay
of Fonseca, as our correspondence statedyester-
day. Panama only is left, and American in
flueDce is being rapidly undermined there Eng
lish capitalists have purchased the greatr por
ton of the stock Of that road, and for q long
time have been insidioasly laboring tofnduce
our government to enforce policy towards that
isthmus and the government of New Canada
which would effectually destroy the influence of
our government with that republic, and leave
European influence predominant there This
would destroy the last remnant Of American in
iuence over the American isthmus.
The chief blame for this condition of things
lies upon The factious, selfish and corrupt pliti-
clans who have succeeded in getting intoCon-
gress From year to year the character olthat
body has been declining, until it has stunk ID the
nostris Of the people, and been forced to ooQfess
its own corruption, through the Matteson and
other investigating committees. Railroad pro-
ects land grants, territorial SITES contracts for
public expenditure, and all sorts Of schemes for
plundering the treasury and public domain, were
the only measures that it would consider and act
upon. The domestic broils of partisan warfare, in
regard to Kansas and Utah, were made to dis
place the questions Of our foreign relations; and
the interests of set of political gamblers super
seeded those of the country. The President did
his duty manfully. Both Fillmore aud Pierce
had shamefully neglected our manifest Interests
near our Southern borders; but Mr.. Buchanan hss
referred to them emphatically in each annml
message, and again and again in special me-
sages to Congress. His urgent recommendations
have been unheeded, and he now has the respn-
sbility of action, during long recess of Con-
gress, and after having been denied the power 70
act The events that will accumulate upon Is
in the next three months will force him to call
Congress together by the first Of October, and %
lay before them the necessity of some digniid
and energetic action, which shall save our
national character from contumely, and or
widespread interests from the perils Of genera
war.