The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-28


men who will assemble at Charleston to arrange
their game for the plumber; and benceforwsrd
these irresponsible conventions will, we expect,
be superseded by more Independent popular
elective system, subject to the decision of the
House of Representatives, a body OF men clothed
with some authority and responsibility.
Our Rupture with NlcarRgua-rhe Central
American Imbrogiio Up Again.
Our advices from Nicaragua go to show that
We are to have another diplomatic imbroglio on
our hands, and that the long mooted Central
| American question is to come up again, not in
new, but in one OF its protean old shapes.
Gen. Lamar has departed from Managua, the
capital of Nicaragua, having left in the hands Of
Senior Zeledon an ultimatum for his considera-
ton. This demand is said to involve the ratid
cation of the original Cass- Yrisarri treaty and
of Sir W. G. Ouseley's Mosquito convention;
| the restoration of the Joe White contract; in
demnity for the seizure of bis steamers aud salts
faction to the United States for having insulted
it with the proposition of treaty similar to the
Ouseley- Zeledon convention in place Of the Cass-
Yrisarri treaty. So says the semi-official jour
nal Of the Nicaragua government, which con
tains long article on the ultimatum and Gen.
Lamar, both of which are treated with diploma
tic courtesy of language, but great severity of
argument.
From this statement Of the terms Of the
ultimatum we must deduct some things We
do not believe that our government has
demanded any ratification of Sir W. G.. Ouse-
ley's propositions In regard to Mosquito, nor
any apology from Nicaragua for having pro-
posed to substitute the Ouseley -Zeledon Conven-
ton for the Cass.Yrisarri treaty. Sir VIM.
Gore Ouseley has not shown any greater
diplomatic skill in Nicaragua recently than he
did in Buenos Ayres some years since; and there
is no reason why our government should put
demand for the ratification of British treaty in
its ultimatum. Furthermore, his proposed Mos
quitia convention is said to be copy of the
Dallas Clarendon propositions, which have al.
ready been rejected by the United States Senate
As for an apology for Offering substitute for
the Cass Yrisarri treaty, the thing is ridiculous
Not only has Nicaragua the right in a negotia-
ton to make any proposition she chooses, but
Gen. Lamar himself agreed to accept the subst
tute, and sent it home for ratification by our
government 1t is not probable, therefore, that
he has included any demand for apology on that
score in bis note to Senior Zeledon.
The other points are legitimate subjects for an
ultmatum. Our government is entirely justified,
not only by past circumstances in Nicaragua,
but by its present internal condition, in
| demanding all the conditions of the Cass.
Yrisarri treaty, as necessary to the security
of the transit of travel and commerce over the
Nicaragua istbmus. The demand in relation ~
the White contract and steamers is ia consonance
with the obligation of every government to pro
tect the ,ust rights of its citizens So far as the
company ia question is concerned, it is entitled
to the protection of our government, aud that
of Nicaragua should make restitution 70, any
damage it may have inflicted on it. If the com
paDy has possessory rights, the question can be-
easily settled where there is disposition on
both sides to do justice; and if it has no such
rights, the government Of the United States will
not demand their concession. The presentation
Of the ultimatum by General Lamar involves the
suspension Of diplomatic intercourse on our
part with Nicaragua II now devolves on that
government to take the frat step towards its
reopeniDg. General Jerez, its recent Minister
at Washington, has gone home fully informed as
to the views of our government, and may be
able to bring about resumption Of friendly re-
lationa
The fact is, the whole of this Central Ameri
can matter has been botched by incompetent
hands and private intriguea, just as many other
Of our Spanish American questions have
been. Men are sent out to those coun-
tries who know nothing of their language,
history, social customs, or modes of thought,
and whose only claim to position ia public az
fairs is that they have been good stump speakers
or successful county politicians AS o natural
consequence, they look down upon and quarrel
with men who do not chew tobacco and drink
whiskey, and are circumvented in every logical
encounter they get into. There are about half a
dozen Spanish legations in the Spansh-Alneri-
can countries which our growing Intercourse
and commerce require should be filed by men
fit and capable for the positions, and such only
should be put into them. Surely the Presidential
and Congressional party politics of this great
country can be managed without the assistance
that can come from half dozen politicians such
as are sent to Central America or Bolivia.
The mission to Nicaragua is now a case 10
point. General Lamar is coming home at
tine when .hat rcpabc Is Oh The verge oc another
Gcnes.ic revolution. Tic political measures Of