Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-09-20
THE KosTA AFFArR.


When the particulars of Capt. Ingraham's
conduct on the I'd of July at Smyrna, first came
across the water, the great American people
took of its, hat and swung it around with the
most enthusiastic expressions of admiration.
The insiuuation Of doubt as to the propriety of
his course was sufficient to bring down upon
the head of the daring doubter, the epthet of
Austrian Ally !" Even now, the hurras Of
enthusiastic meetings at st. Louis and other
cities are echoing on the air. As tributes to
the manly and honorable impulse under which
the gallant Captain doubtlessly acted, these de-
monstrations are right; bat if meant TO hail the
establishment Of new principle they are wrong
enough to deserve disapprobation; or at least
the circumstances suggest grave doubts as to
whether it was Capt Ingraham's duty 10 adopt
theDcOurse he thought proper to pursue.
Martin Kosta was not citizen Of the United
States. He had only declared his intention to
become such, and then nulliGed this declaration
by quitting the United States and returning to
Turkey, whence he had been released, as fol
lower Of KOsswh, only upon his solemn pledge
never TO re-enter that territory. He himself,
when questioned BY Capt. Ingraham, declared
that che was a Hungarian, and would die Hun
garian." IL Capt. Ingraham's fOrcible rescue
should be productive of nothing more than a
transient excitement in this country, it will be
no great matter, but if the Austrian government
should treat the affair seriously, then the Amer
lean government must make tia precedent. The
question will have to be decided, whether every
adventurer from Europe who chooses, may come
to this country, merely declare his intention 10
become a citizen, and then return 10 commit
some act which will involve us in trouble Ger
tainly if Kossuth, or his superior, Mazzini, had
resolved to bring on a collision between the
United States and Austria, he could not have
devised more effective scheme.
The Austrian Minister for Foreign Affair.
has sent to the Ministers Of the several Foreign
Courts protest against the United States, where
in the threatened hostile attack of the United
States Ship of War, St. Louis, upon his I'm
perial Majesty's brig, the Hussar, is construed
into amenace Of war; and the facts that this &C
was CoHnlnltleu ny OHe WHO Hdu no right 10 max
war, and thai this was done in neutral port, ar
termed two serious deviations from Information
al Law. The principles set forth in the Aus
trian Protest may be all wrong, but it is doubt
full if the course Of Capt. Ingraham can be clear
ly made to appear all right.
The immense growth, prosperity and increas
of power of the United States should not max
her quarrelsOme, aggressive or dctatorial. Sue
circumstances frequently produce these effect
in individuals, but great nations dignity shout
be above that mark. N'N
~ TelegraPhic communication between En-
gland and the Continent will soon be SO com
plete, that upon the arrival of vessel at Hall
fax or New York from Liverpool, the people O
this country will at once be appraised Of ever
important event that may have happened in al
most any part of Europe, at the date of the YES
sells leaving Liverpool.
IL The consumption Of whiskey has great,
increased in ireland, and the London Spectacle
observes that Father Mathews reform in III,