The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-22
FRoM OUR oWN CORRESPONDENCE


hEw YORK, February 20. 1853.
The Presidents special message Congress asking that
the necessary power he conferred him employ th
land aud naval hucs the ited States 10 protect tl
lives and property Of American citizens crossing the 18th
mus routes and 10 prevent these important highways
between Atlantic aud Pacific States being closed the
arbitrary caprice OF the governments the which
those routes traverse, ia OF their being involved
in domestic foreign war Is Justly considered by all
parties one OF the most important and able State papers
communicated 10 Congress by the Executive OF the
United States With the exception OF the opposition
journals and the most Tabid aud acous opponensof the
President and OF the democratic party the entire comu
nifty desires and hopes that the Presidents request may
be immediately conceded matter OF urgent necessity
for the protection of citizens aud the commercial In
tercsts o. the country against assault and interrupted
from Mexico and the petty republics of Central and South
America
When remember The ofthe l4th Of April
1856, Tor which the republic of New Granas failed
atone 10 this hour anda which IL pssicI
would almost say probable amy moment when we
remember the events which have taken place ia Mica
agua and Costa ca daring the last few years and the
wrongs and insults which American citizens suffered
from the governments OF those republics during that
time and for which reress has yet been offered when
consider the past and present condition OF Mexico the
series Of ontrages which American citizens have suffered
at the hands OF the Aexicans and 10 renew. OF which
they than exposed aud when We
consider the magnitude OF th,. interests which have
at stake In those countries and The absolute right of
citizens 20 the ampest protection of their government
against violence, loss insult at the hands OF any
|
ident Buchanan has asked for undue estension his
constitutional powers uttmus ennhesitangly asserted
by every American worthy Of the name that had he failed
to ask for that increase his power at the present
tme he would have faithfully and fully discharged
his duty Chief Magistrate OF the nation The civil
ized powers OF the world have always considered it the
very basis of international intercourse, that every nation
claiming to be independent is bound to protect the lives
and property of foreigners resident in passing through
its territory, and in OF failure To fulfil this ollea
on is liable To punishment from the government OF that
4 country whose citizens have suffered wrong.
On more than occasion have England and France
used force to compel foreign governments To ATONE for in
suits offered to their subjects lsoe of them very OBJ
re-Don P,.ihco for Instance D and there vas 10
sentiment uttered which found responsive
echo in the hearts Of the British people than the famous
''aois Pon'a,os stm' speech Of Lord Palmcrstcn,
/ OF I'll the great nations OF the world is the untea
States TO be the only whose Executive powcress 20
avenge tho wrongs OF its citizens Can Americans be
robbed numbered and revled by every insignificant lit
tie State that chooses To rob, murder, revle them
aud is the asscrton-t'I am American citizen, in
stead of being it the 'c,es Rosaaas sum Of the
ancient Romans, the surest protection we'll the
highest boast Of every American in every cme to be
encouragement of foreign aggression his rights and
dignity, and therefore thing to be ashamed Of and
| cealedY
Congress, in failing to adopt the joint resolution intro
duced in the Senate last May, by senator Gwn, which
proposed to tho President with sufficient authority
to enforce the adjustment OF outstanding differences
| with New Granada, Central America, and Mexico,
mitted grievons error and is alone responsible that
these differences are still unsettled When tie peoples
representatives persuaded they must be persuaded
| in the of Mr.. Buchanan that whatever additional
power they confer the President for the defence of
their country and its honor will be firmly and discreetly
used it is their solemn duty to confer that power once
BY being prepared 10 ayenge insult repe attack insult
and attack best avoided and the blessings Of peace
| best assured.
IL hoped most ardenty by the citizens Of this great
commercial emporium, whose interests largely in
VOWED in the protection of Americans crossing the 18TH
routes and in the freedom Of those commercial gang
ways from all Interruption that Congress will now repair
its fault Of last session by at adopting the Presidents
| recommendation. Those who refuse from factous
ves will have heavy account to settle with the people
| ADSuM.