Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-04
The Crisis of the Central American
ImbrOgIIO---Ihe only course left
omen TO our Government.


The interesting and important ccrrespon-
dcnce from Nicaragua published in another
portion of to-day's paper, removes complete
ly the mask that has so long been maintained
over the Central American imhrogliO. The
Cass- Yrissari treaty. has been consigned to an
ionominious grave. aud the Ouseley-ZelcdOn
Convention, establishing British prot ector-
ate over the whole republic OF Nicaragua, has
been concluded and ratified SO far as that gov
eminent is concerned.
We have long lorseen this result. We have
lifted our voice against il on every occasion
that we have been called TO consider the Cen
trail American question. We have discussed
the subject in all its phases. Arguments.
proofs. possibilities. and every logical dcduc-
lion from the facts have been brought for
ward: but a strange inialuation seems to have
taken posseSsion of all who have had any
thing TO do with our Central American rea-
tious and now the European protection that
was called for in the infamous declaration at
Rivas. appended to the Belly contract year
since. has been contaminated. All the pow
ers whose Intervention in Central American
affairs was there solicited have accepted The
invitation. and have acted upon il. England
led of. dcceiving our government into the be-
lief that her negotiations would lead tn the
ratification of the Cass-Irissari treaty. Sar-
dinin followed. and Senior Salari, her Minister,
is now negotiating at Managua Il complement
to the Ous.lcy Zeledon treaty. on the basis of
the invitation in the Rivas declaration. And
France, rs we announced some weeks since,
has her Minister now on his way to Nicara-
qua to give the last finishing stroke and pol
ish to this transparent scheme for putting a
European bride on American progress.
There is now but Que course open to our
Government To pursue. The way of argu.
mcnt has been exhausted and there now only
remains for it the way of works. II il
vacillates or delays il is lost, far as our
interests in the Nicaragua Transit are con-
cerncd. Excuses will be brought forward in
profusion-pretextS for delay will be- prolific;
b.t they are all illusory. The British and
Sartlinian treaties have been ratified; the Ca>s-
Yrisarri treaty has been contemptuously re-
iectcd. and the Nicaraguan Legislature has
adjourned till next January. For nearly d
wear the one man power will rule in Nicara-
qua, and that power is in The hands of PreSi-
dent Tomas Martiney, who's dea' ly hostility
TO this country aud to every American ia
t,.r-stS is well known. Ever since the advent
of Door Piercc's administration our represent
tative IN Central America has been cipher
or something worse, and our policy com
mound of ignorance and folly. The result,
are seen and felt to-day. Our ships OF wal
lie in the Nicaraguan ports. but are no more
heed Il IMAM II ihey were 30 many Oyster
smacks; our Minister Is in the country but ht
can do nothing. and the government Is forced
to RELY for information OF what Is being done
upon the enterprise ot independent journals
The diplomatic reports which IL r ceives truu
Tiers. and nearly every other Spauish-Amert
can country are beneath even contempt.
Political considerations have led th,
government 10 delay the projection Il should
nave granted TO American Interests ia 'h'
Nicaragua Transit. Contracts entered int
/ In good faith have been abandoned 10 tbs
| mo-t aithieSs siolation. The vast and grow
ing interests of our Pacific empire, invoivte
| la he Transit have beeu permitltd TO Ian
| cuish through inaotioh; and the American
| maine aud American honor have bcen sunk q
| the NEST degrading position ia the estimation
| OF the Central American government. No
| single claim ol our eitlz ns has be n &C
| knowiedged. Nor respectful answer ha
/ bra returned 10 even one of the communities
| lions OF our government. NOt sign of
disposition 10 deal justly by u bas beel
shown. On all sides deceit aud Discrimination
have been found. Every promise has tarue
10 ashes Ia cur grasp.
la this state of things but one course
hanorahly open to our government. IN
policy on ably laid down in Gen raj Cas-
note 10 Geueiai Lamar must be at onee Cal
ried out. The just rights OF the America
Transit oxuers should BE- al once proiecie
by our government. now that protection
d MED them by that Il Nicaragua. Lei thc'
owners Ia called 20 Washington, aud lalnFny
that they eaa proceed 10 opea lhslF route az