Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-05
The Quintuple Protest.


IL is understood that Russia and
Prussia have joined Austria in her protest
against the conduct of Captain Ingraham,
in rescuing Kossta from the minions of
the latter power. at Smyrna, and it is ru-
mored that the Ministers of England and
France, at Washington. have also verbal
ly expressed their concurrence in the pro-
test; and Mr.. Champion is said to have
declared to Mr.. Marcy that such conduct
could not be tolerated in European wa
tiers. That Russia and Prussia should
unite with Austria in any act of tyran-
ny or oppression. and against liberty and
republication. is perfectly natural. They
are all alike despotisms. bound together
by common ties, having like interests me-
naced from like quarter, and whatever
affects one has an influence upon the 9TH
er.
We are not, therefore. surprised to OBJ
serve this 'holy alliance" to bolster up
the failing fortunes of despotism. But
we think no particular danger need be
apprehended from this furious paper bull
let, With the exception of Russia, nei-
Their of the governments can keep down
their own population without the aid of
the other, and they are not, therefore. in
very fit condition to follow their protest
across the water with anything more ter
rible. Indeed. it is their very weakness
that makes them so very sensitive-that
I leads them to devote their attention to the
catching of a few harmless refugees. and
hack their powerless bodies as bravely as
did the valorous Falstaff the carcass of
the dead Hotspur. But in the conscious
ness of our own integrity. and the self
congratulation ofhaving done generous
deed, we may laugh at the impotent
rage of those who know best how to blus-
ter, and how best to get out of a Difficult
ty, where there might be some danger,
with mere clustering.
But that England and France are dis
posed to NEEDLE in this matter, we very
much doubt Not that the British Cabi-
net or Louis Napoleon do not sympathise
with the &c divine rights" of the forty
thieves of European despotism. but that
it is not their interest to participate in this
affair. The English people, while they
have forced from their sovereign many
concessions to their own liberties, have
compelled them to adopt liberal course
towards the political refugees from other
countries; and the Premier who would
sanction the atrocities perpetrated by
Austria, would be very likely to find his
seat too warm for him. As to Napoleon
LII. he has probably as much as he can
attend to at home. But suppose 1t should
be true that England and France have
taken the position on this question that
rumor has assigned them? This should
not influence one particle. the course of
our own government in regard to the af-
fair. Koss:a, although a native Hunga-
rian, had taken the initiatory steps and
declared his intention to become an Anne
rican citizen, and was provided with an
American passport. When.he declared his
intention to become an American citizen,
he renowned all allegiance to every 9TH
ef government, and threw himself upon
the protection of the United States, and
she in accepting his allegiance, bound her.
selfto extend her protection to him and
if she should fail TO wrest him from the
hands of any foreign power that might,
without showing just cause. maltreat him,
she would show recreancy to her obi
cations and contracts, which would call
blush of shame to the cheek of every true
American. We hope and believe that
this government will fully and carefully
examine this matter, and take exactly
such steps as may be found necessary and
proper to yindicate the rights of Ameri-
can citizens abroad, and the sacredness
Of an American passport, let who protest
that may, or who threaten that chooses.
1t is the duty of a government to be GO
verned by what is right, rather than their
fears of consequences. And Mr.. Pierce
said in his Inaugural, that the American
citizen travelling in foreign countries,
should feel that he had left at home a
power capable ofprotecting him wherever
he might go, and from the character of
his Cabinet, and the tone of his admins
tratiou, We believe that he meant what he |
said, and that the day has passed. when
a man with an American passport in his
pockets. can be assaulted, imprisoned and