The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-19
seizure or T,gre Island.


II is now some weeks since the arrival OF the news Of
line seizure Of Tgre island by British force under the
1econ OF Chatfeld the British agent in the States Of
central America, and yet we have had no inmaton Of
1.-The course which the cabinet designs pursue in refer
rce to that matter Is Mr. Clayton going to allow this
utage to pass by without reclamation and thus sue
Qmb TO the arrogance and injustice OF the British minis
y. assuming that the act Of Chateld has been author
zed by his government We cannot believe it; and
therefore we take il for granted that the Secretary OF
Estate is waiting only for the arrival OF the British
nise in order to disclose to that functonary person
lhe views and purposes Of the government Of the United
States,
# will be recollected by our readers that Tigre island
s recent acquisition secured by Mr.. Squiers treaty
with Honduras, the State to which it belonged. The
IHeaty we believe, made without instructions
bory from the cabinet here, and involves principle
(which the members OF that conclave have, politicians,
constantly opposed the principle Of annexation
land on that account, we believe the cabinet wish the
e had not been done They would prefer to have let
HE British take it. if the act could have been done with
direct reflection upon the courage Of the American
government rather than that OF their agents should
ave thus involved them in dilemma, by which they
e compelled 10 endorse popular democratic doc
tue, OF submit 10 be disgraced. But whatever may
the aims OF the cabinet, the people OF the United
Bates will insist that the island be retained nasmuch
b it is valuable acquisition, and will very likely be
sIong point Of defence for commerce across the
fshmus of Panama to the Pacific.
But the seizure of this island by the British forces
Mi wrong by which that government has possessed itself
He known world Where British interests have been
ncerned, what regard has that government paid
usice or to the rights OF other naons All her East
possessions but the gains OF system of plumber
piracy Of innocent and defenceless nations, Of which
world has no parallel on record. That INSCRIPTIONS
ernment does not hesitate, when her interests point
The act to seize upon the territories and to enslave
er nations who have given her no cause of offence,
ept stand in the way OF the qualification OF her lust
booty and dominion. She clamors most Justify,
vituperaes. and intrgues. when her great rival
her surely successful competitor, the United States,
doses admit to the federal Union sovereign and
dependent nation and she turns up her eyes in holy
nor because slavery exists in IFS mitgaied form
some Of the States OF the American confederation;
e she does not hesitate to enslave whole nations and
nee them 10 state of the most abect servi,ude and
endence upon her Great Britain rather her press,
tiers, and orators, eternaly descanting upon her
perior philanthropy and humanity, while her gov
ment is perpetating the wrongs and outrages which
have briefly depicted We have heard enough
! tder cant and seen enough OF their hypocrisy. The
cans OF public opinion in Great Britain have lost
opportunity to traduce the people Of the United States
their government for acts which were justifable
dng to the most rigid Interpretation Of the law Of
lions; while the government Of that nation has not
stated 10 perpeiraie any act Of injustice upon other
MS when necessary 10 advance her interests 10
butte 10 her power.
Now what Is the cause OF this constant aspersion Of
people, institutions, and government II is because
uy in this confederation of States their great rival
competitor They see that they have to contest with
the empire Of the sea and the palm OF universal
knmeree. And. more than that, they see the end OF
struggle, the triumph OF Amerca-we will not
y, because we hope not, the downfall Of Eng
nd But they are convinced that If no untoward
ksnt happens to the American Unon-and the glo.
prospece OF its high desinies will never permit
as,rophe from the acts OF It's own people-this ma.
mus, become the leading commercial power OF the
nOrd and the most wealthy, prosperous, and power
empire OF modern times. They this in our i'm
nse territory, spreading over an expanse which EN-.
bees every climate Of the temperate zonen the intel
snce and indomsble enterprise Of our peope-in the
esson Of the great staples which form the basis Of
manufactures and commerce OF the word-and (what
eng,hens and stimulates ally in liberal and benign
diutions, which recognise the equality Of men in their
and political rights, and protect them in the posses
personal liberty, and in the enjoyment OF the ac
tsons Of their labor, skill, and enterprise These
the elements Of our success, future greatness, and
Eer and the results are as certain as any probable
1'nts in human history. .
The organs ofpubic opinion in Great Britain see these
Ogs and we have no doubt they are alarmed at the
OPec, before them. Hence this petty warfare OF cal.
ny upon our country, and particularly upon the demo-
tc party, TO which our country owes the development
majestic destiny Hence, also, this constant struggle
the part Of the British government, to prevent from
ming possession Of those positions which will contrib
10 the expansion Of our political and commercial
wer The game is desperate one, and will be playet
th desperation commensurate with the importance Of
interests involved. But il will avail nothing in ih'
Great Britain will finally be compelled to succsmt
The growing power and influence Of the United States
has arrived at the eliminating point Of her power
talth, and greatness She is in her decadence
Pc presents formidable aspect externally, glittering al
Der with "barbaric gold" the wealth Of "ormus and o
)" but within she is mass Of pauperism and weak
rs; while we, on the other hand, have just arrived a