The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-02-25
lMPoRTANT NEsSAGE 100 TnE
PRESIDENT.

ent session, and the great urgency and impor-
tance Of legislative action before lis tcrmina-
ton, for the protection of American citizens
and their property while in transit across the
lsthmus routes, between our Atlantic and Pa
cifc possessions, render it my duty again to
recall Ibis subec; to your notice. have here
tofore presented it III my annual message, both |
OF December lS57-5S, 10 which beg leave TO |
refer. la the latter, | state that the executive
government Of this country, in its intercourse
with foreign nations, is limited TO the employ
ment of diplomacy alone. When this fails, it |
can proceed no further. II cannot legitimate
ly resort to force, without the direct authority |
Of Congress, except in resisting and reprlIing |
hostile attacks. Ii would have no authority 10
enter the territory Of Nicaragua, even 10 pre-
vent the destruction OF the transit, and protect
the lives OF cur own citiZens on their passa-
grs Ii is trne. that on sudden emergency Of
this character, the President could direct an
armed force in The ylciGity, 10 march 10 their
relief, bat in doing this be would act on his
own responsibility.
Under these circumstances, earnestly re-
commend 10 Congress the passage Of an &C! |
authorizing the President, under such resiric- |
tons ae they may deem proper, to employ the
land and naval forces Of the Bnitrd States, in
preventing the transit itom bring oJslructpd o.
closed by lawlrss violence, and in protecting
The lives and property OF American citizens
traveiiag thercupon, requiring II The same line
that these forces shall be withdrawn the mo-
meht the danger shall have passed away
Without such a provision. onr citizrns will be-
constantly exposed to interference IN their pfo-
gress, and 70 lawless violence. similar me-
cessily exists for the passage Of such an act for
tI, = 81. d, II
routes. Another subject, equally important,
commanded the attention Of lile Senate, at the
late session OF Congress. Thes republics south
| Of the United States, on this continent, have,
unfortunately. been frequently in a state of
revolution and civil war, ever since they a.
chieved their Independence. As one or the other
party has prevailed, and obtained possession OF,
the ports oPend 10 foreign commerce. they have
seized aud conGscated American vessels and
their cargoes, in an arbitrary and IawIrss man
ner, and eXacted money from American cili-
zens, by forced loans aud other violent pro-
ceedingy, 10 enable them TO carry on hostilitIes.
/ tn" executive government of Great Britain.
France, and other countries, Possessing the war
making power, can promptly employ the me-
cessary means TO enforce immediate redress for
similar ouiTages upon their subjects. Not so
with the executive government OF the United
Stairs. II the President orders a vessel of war
to any of these ports. 10 demand prompt re-
dress, for ou'raEes commited, the ofrnding
parties well aware that, IN case Of refusal,
the commander could dn no more than rcm0n-
strate : he can resort TO no hostile act. The
question must then be referred to diplomacy
and in many cases adequate redress can never
be obtained. Tins, American citizens are de-
privrd OF The same protection under the flag of
their country which The silhIscis of other ma
irGs Err nm, ne remedy for this state Of
'""'7N 'di' oii'J "SFsfTf 'I'tTSsS Nv y5,., -
the Constitution has confined to that bodv aIons
to make war Without the authority of Con-
EFess the Executive cannot Law fully direct any
iorce, hoWevrr near ii may be 10 the scene Of
diihcuIly' 10 enter the territory Of Mexico, Nj
caFaS'idh or New Grenada, for the purpose of
defending Tie persons aud property of Ameri-
eau cHiz~RS, even though they nav be violent
y aSSaiErd = hlIN PASSING in peaceful transit
over the irhpan.epec, Niraraguan or Panama
routes. He cannot, without transcendinr his
constitutional power, direct gun 10 be fred in.
10 port, or land a seaman or marine TO nrotact
me tISes OF our countfymen on shore or to OBJ
tam redress Tor recent outrage on their prom
erty. Ihr banditi which nirst our neiobbor-
| ing republic of Mexico, always CLAIMING io ba-
long toone or other of the hostile parties. miObf
make sudden descent on Vera Cruz. on re-
| hanntePec route, and he would have no power
! TO employ the force on shipboard in the vicinity
Tor their relief, either toprevent the plunder of
merchants or the DESTRUCTION OF The transit.
| IN reference TO countries where the local au-
thorllles are strong endqshdo enforce the laws
the difficulties here ntkajed seldom happens
hnt where this Is not fecasp. and the local au-
thorliies 90 not possess the physical power. even
IT they possess the will to protect our citizens
withln their limits, sfrcrnt experience has
shown. The American executive should ,tseIfl
De authorized to re ndg this protection. Such
grant OF Authority ,5fhns limited in its cytert
could IN no Jnst sense be regarded as transfer
OF the war making power to the executive bu, |
only as an appropriate exercise of that power hp
TIE body TO whom it exclusively beonos. The |
not at Panama in 1886, in which Great nm |
Der OF our citizens LOST their lives furnishes . |
pointed illustration of necessity which nav arise
iof the eXerton OF this authority. I therefore /
earnestly recommend 10 Congress. on whom the
responsibility cXclnsivelg rests, 10 pass . la,,
before thelI journment, comforting OF, the Pres
idenl lhe power to protect The lives and pron-
cry OF american cltizrns, in the cases which | |
nave INDICATED, under such restrictions. and
CONDITIONS, as they may deem advisable. The
Knowiedgr that such law exists, would in itself
go lar 10 prevent the ontrages which il is inten-
dfd TO redress, and the employment of force nm
necessary without this th, President of The
Unhed States may be placed in painful rosi
lioh before The meeting Of the next Congress. in
'ne present disturbed condition of Mexico and
one or more Of the other Republics south of US.
no PFnsIon can foresee what occurrences NAV
'ahe pace lore that period, in case of emer-