The New York herald., 1863-09-13
The Project or an Amsriesn OontiaentaI
Alliance.

The Project or an American Oonllne = q
/ Alliance.
The scheme started by President Juarez, OF
| an alliance, offensive and defensive between the
American republics. is by no means new one
In 1925 the proposition Of a congress at Pana-
ma to organize somewhat similar league was
favorably entertained by our government, and
in his first annual message President Adams
announced that representatives on the part of
tie United States had been commissioned to
attend it. On the message and accompanying
documents being referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations, report was made in the
| following month condemning the MISSION and
ending With resolution declaring it to be in
expedent TO send ministers to the congress
This report gave rise to a warm debate in
secret session In the Senate, and the report was
| negatived bya vote Of twenty-four to nine
| The nominations made by the President were
confirmed, and in the House Of Representatives
the bill making the appropriation for the mis-
| sion was carried by a large majority. On his
| way to Panama Mr. Anderson, one of the COM
mssoners, was attacked with fever at Cartha-
gena and died, and bis colleague, Mr.. Sergeant,
not having had time after the decision of the
question in the House to prepare for the meet
ing, declined at so advanced a period of the
season to encounter the risk OF a Journey
across the isthmus. a ST
On the 22d Of June the Commissioners of
Peru, Mexico, Central America and Colombia
assembled, as appointed, at Panama Neither
the government of Bolivia nor Chile was rep
resented. England ana the Netherlands sent
diplomatic agents; but they were not allowed
to be present at the deliberations of the con-
gress. Communications were, however, regu-
larly made to them Of its proceedings.
The congress continued its sittlngs until the
middle of July, and the result was the conclu-
sion of treaty Of Friendship and perpetual con-
federation, to which all other American Powers
might accede within the year. The treaties be-
tween the assembled Powers were recognized
and renewed, and the meeting Of the congress,
annually in time Of common war and biennial
ly in time Of peace, agreed upon. The next
meeting was fixed to be held ut Tacubaya, near
the city of Mexico, In February, 1887. Com
missioner were sent there on the part Of the
United ststes; but not only did the congress
not assemble a. he time specified, but the ar
ransemert for lis future meetings, owing to the
internal comnotions of Colombia and Peru, and
the apprelensions entertained Of the ambitious
designs OF Bolivar, were abandoned.
The history of this league should be example
sufficient to us of the impolicy OF trammelling
ourselves with alliances with such unstable
and unreliable governments as lie South Anne.
rican republics. We have nothing to gain by
such engagements. We are sufficiently power
ful to maintain, unaidcd, the police of this
continent without binding ourselves to
take up the defence Of every petty
American Power which may expose itself to re-
clamations on the partof the European govern
mcnts We are ready to assist the American
republics in defending their institutions against
foreign aggression, but not in persistent wrong
doing. Thus, 80 long as the design. OF Franc.
we're confined to the object Of compelling the
government Of Mexico to ma k. reparation for
spoiation Of French residents, we had no
word of remonstrance to on r.. l. is only
since those designs have matured themselves
into scheme of conquest and aggrandizement
that we invoke the Monroe doctrine against
ment to take in dealing with difficulties be-
tween our sister republics and the European
Powers While we steer clear of entaugling
alliances we must always be ready 10 maintain
the inviolability Of American Institutions
against foreign encroachments.
7 The HoRsEFLY AND THE PRESIDENCY
When President Lincoln took into his Cabi-
net his rivals for the Chicago nomination,
Including Messrs. Seward Chase, Cameron
and Bates, we had our misgivings that he
was trying an nnwise and dangerous expert
ment-something like that Of poor Pierce-of
harmonizing the different factions of his party
upon the basis Of the spoils, instead OF consol-
dating an impregnable party around MIN upon
great principles and great administrative mea-
sures. But experience has shown that Presi.
dent Lincoln's shrewdness and sagacity are
equal to the management of whole Cabinet
of Presidential candidates, each and al! pull.
ing in different directions. General Cameron
has been quietly put on the re'ired list: Mr.
Bates has quietly fallen back among the super
ann,iatcd: and while Mr. Seward absorbed in
his never ending but still beginning diplomatic
correspondence, has been engineered out of
the way BY Mr.. Chase, recent homaly illus
traton Of the President will serve to show that
the aspirations Of the Secretary of the Treasury
are thoroughly understood by HE master.
We are Informed that in recent familiar
White House conversation. which incidentally
touched upon Mr.. Chase as a Presidential can
dida,e, "Honest Old Abe" dryly remarked that
he would not for The world dispossess the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury Of this Presidential idea
LET me- said the President, explain. When
was yet lad, working on farm in Illinois,
was cugaged with brother, once upon tune,
in The tedious business OF ploughing with very
lazy old horse. No amount Of beating would
induce him 60 increase his usual speed, which
was the slowest and the elecpiest possible