The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-10
WASHINGTON: MONDAY MORNING.

- provcrbiaiiy dimcult TO please everybody, even
under the most favorable circumstances, and that
difficulty becomes impossibility when there is
Predisposition not to he pleased.
The intcrcst of the public, which for unusually
long period has been attracted to questions Of the
past. will be Immediately directed to the future.
What sort Of government are we TO have? new
one altogether, or a reconstruction! So far re-
CARDS the political principles and the personal
character Of the men, there is reason why cab
met should not be formed with Lord John still for
leader. but with several new members, incl luding
two three from Sir Robert Peels adminisr tion.
Lord John could not have better colleagues than
those who have proved such steady though disin-
tercs.ed allies. but, whether for good for ill., the
Wing school is generally aveTse tocoalion lila too
much ofa olgarchy, almost too much Of family,
to endure the introduction of new elements. cspe-
forgot. The Wings come in and go out together;
and much the public will undoubtedly lose by
the sacrifice Of the whole cabinet, VIC can scarcely
hope to see any part Of it in new combination.
BESIDES what has hitherto been the Ministerial
section of Parliament, the Protcctionists the
most numerous body protesting common creed.
What may they expect out of the present crise? II
sufficient to say that they still Protectionists,
e 8 a S might just a. We'll be
summoned 10 her majesty's councils and compelled
to dissolve Parliament, which they correctly avow
to be their solitary chancellor they would not get
a sixpcnce of the public money from the present
House-what sort of account would they give Of
themselves to our popular constituencies? They can
only pieuge themselves 10 enhance the price OF
bread and all other food, and to throw away the
legislation Of the last five, rather of the last
aine--nay, of the last twenty years.
We are not saying what the Protcctionists might
have done Had they but followed their leaders; had
they taken common sense, instead of passion, for
their guide, they might now have been in q posi-
ton TO govern this country. But they have wasted
five years in one long fit Of sullen Indignation, and
SAINT malediciions on free trade and its authors.
Their fate in general election is too evident They
would only meet Parliament to be beaten the
address-o leave public affairs in the greatest con-
fusion-perhaps to ose the year 1851 altogether for
the purposes Of Iegisation--perhaps to incur the
necessity of another gene raj election, perhaps to
throw the government ultimately into the hands Of
politicians, with whom they feel much less sympa-
thy than they do either for the friends of Lord John
Russell or for the admirers of Sir Robert Peel.
Undoubtedly there exists abundant materials for
the formation of an entirely new government,
bound to that commercial policy which Lord John
Russell inherited from his predecessor. This Is
not the time either to revert to the Of the
firing Cabinet to inquire very critically into the
personal merits Of this that probable member Of
the new one. 1t is rather the time to view things
as a whole, and we have little doubt that from
the numerous independent statesmen of our day
government could be formed that would deserve
and generally receive the cordial support of those
who for the present are in power. Whatever ia
done, it is most desirable, above all, that there
should be union, and therefore some degree OF gen.
erosity and mutual forbearnnce, among the vari-
Gus sections that stand by free trade.
The progress of sound legislation, the peace OF
the country, and the stability Of our institutions
absolutely require that all should combine to pre-
vent even momentary success of the Protectionist
imposture For the sake of the country gentlemen,
for the sake of the House of Lords, for the sake Of
that representative system which still gives con-
siderable weight to the owners and occupers OF the
soil the question Of free trade ought not to come
again before the people Of this country. 1t is too
serious aud too soro point to be rcopencd, cspe-
All wise men should combine to avert that peril,
and all wise men should therefore combine to give
fair chance-that, Of course is all that is asked
to whatever body Of liberal statesmen her majesty
may summon to her councils.
From Honduras.
| We have files Of the Honduras Uuich,aam tc
February Is. Advices from Guatemala to the
| 18th of January had been received at Honduras
From private sources the Wafchmon has the follow
ing particulars of the proceedings Of the military
| forces of Salvador and Honduras:
"On the lst instant the troops Of those States
arrived at village called San jose, about three
leagues from Chiquimula. General Carrera was
at that time in the latter place, and soon marched
to meet them, though they numbered about four
thousand men, On the I'd instant, about o'clock
in the morning, the battle commenced, and con-
tinued. with many changes Of success on both
sides, until half-past o'clock in the afternoon,
when, by an able manpuvre OF General Carrcra,
the forces of Salvador and Honduras were COM
petcly defeated, leaving on the field many dead,
wounded, and prisoners, together with arms, bag
gage, &c. :,
all directions, still continued by the last accounts,
and in all probability Carcrra will now march upon
San Salvador. When the battle commenced, il is
stated that Carrera had only two thousand mep but
received several reinforceinents during the day.
"This battle will no doubt break the neck OF the
hostile intentions of those States against Guate-
mala, and put speedy end to what might other
wise have been long and protracted warfare.
| ssE off .ia iahe in he
Gacefd, it would appear that the pretext of the
Salvadorenans for this unprovokcd attack ia the
blockade of their ports by the British, which they
assert has been done at the instigation of the
Guatemalian government.
The Watchman, of February Sth, has the follow
ing;n
the celebrated annual fair OF Esquipulas did not take
place usual in conssquenccof the menaces of wal
from the State of Salvador: thus causing considc-
rable injury to the commercial interests OF several
parties all the different States of Central Ameri
| ca, who had made arrangements and laid theil
plans of speculation this fair where nearly every
merchant meets to barter and sell.
"By the samc paper We sec that General Nuhc
has also been focd in his attempts to induce the
mountaineer insurrectionists at Palencia, Jalapa,
and Sanarate to Join the Salvadorenians in their
projects of conquest for, although still disatlccted
they have refused to join; thus showing that, al
though dissatisfied, they are not opposed TO the
| government.
"Troops are daily leaving for the frontiers. On
the 7th ultimo large division, under the com
rnnnd of General Forenzana, marched toward the
borders of Salvador, TO place themselves at the or
dcrs OF his cxcellency, the commander in Chief"
| A decree had been issued by the President o.
Guatemala, requiring all persons who, by what
ever right, have obtained grants of uncultiyateo
lands, and those who hold them in virtue of per
mission as mahogany works in the northern coas
| of the republic, must present their documents te
the ovcrseer of lands within elk months from date
on pain of forfeiture, that they may be properly
gisicred.-N. u Com. 4duerfisT.
! From South America.
| Files of Valparaiso papers to the Oath January
| inclusive have been received.
| On the 10Th January vessel was launched a
Valparaiso. which is intended as n soop-of-war 70
the Chiiian navy.
| On the 10Th fire broke out in frame building
at Talcahuana, belonging TO the American Consu