The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-27

UsurpatlOn Of the War P0wex--A Question
fnr Congress.
The belligerent propenaties of our present
administration could not have been more strik-
ingly Illustrated than in the bonbardment and
burning, by its order, of the ineifensive and de-
fenceless village Of G.eytown in San Juan de
Nicaragua Such an act of ignorance, stupidi-
~. and badly appropriated moral courage, has
tary operations of the Spanish American repub.
lies against each other.
Major Borland our late Minister to Central
America, returning down the river San Juan
homeward, is the witness to the shooting of a
native by the captain of the steamer upon
which our Minister is passenger. He sees the
captain deliberately shoot down boatman in
his bungalo. The steamer arrives at San Juan,
the authorities of the place endeavor to arrest
the captain. Major Borland picks up rife
and keeps them at bay. Subsequently he en-
tiers the village; the house which he has entered
is surrounded by mob, and they call him hard
names, and threaten him with violence, utterly
disregardful Of his official character. He con-
trives to escape, returns to Washington, lays
his case before the Cabinet. They are astound-
ed that parcel Of the black and yellow sub
jects of the Mosquito King should thus
dare to insult the American representative,
under cover, though the natives were, of
British protection. The insult to Borland, and
the detention of the steamer must be redressed.
And SO the sloop-ot-war Cyane is sent down to
do the job Indemnity for the outrage against
Borland and the detention OF the steamer to
the extent Of $4,000, is demanded and refused
The town is bombarded and the town is burnt
American honor and the American flag are vim
dcated, and the thing is done, like the storming
of Fort Christiana in New Jersey, by the an
cient Knickerbockers, without the loss of a
single man on either side
Such in few words, is the best face which
can be put upon the matter, in behalf OF the adj
ministraton. But what are the real merits of
the case? Let US see:
Major Borland interferes in the protection Of
man charged with murder, against the
efforts Of the local authorities of San Juan
to arrest him. Afterwards the Major goes
into the town, and the populace insult him
Having forgotten his official character they
ceased to respect him, which was natural
enough. He had unlawfully interfered in the
protection Of .. man charged with crime, and
they had seized the opportunity for retalia-
ton. The affair might thus be considered as
evenly balanced between the parties; or, If
there were any uncancelled outrage in the case,
it was the outrage against the local author-
ties of San Juan.
The stupidity Of the bombardment and burl-
ing Of the village we have already exhibited
1t was . stupid and shameful farce What
honor, or glory, or indemnity could possibly be
gained by burning the mud and palm-leafed
hnts Of The poor natives And what sort Of
satisfaction against the British protcctorate
could possibly be secured by the destruction Of
the houses and other property of American cit-
zens, who constitute the men Of business and
the principal property owners OF the place.
Yet, against the protest Of the commander of
British vessel of war, Captain Hollins, in obe
I, encc to his instructions, involves the interest
and prosperity of American citizens in his work
Of vengeance.
Is not this Almost singular and unparalleled
affair? British officer, vainly interposing and
protesting against the destruction of American
property, and against an outrage upon IN #.
Tending American citizens by an American YES.
sci Of war, and all for the punishment of GER
tain proceedings of a mob, for which the Ameri
can Minister, in his unauthorized conduct. is
wholly responsible. Such an affair could Iy
occur under the dictation of some such stu ,id
and imbecile administration as the present con-
Germ at Washington.
but we nave grayer objection to enter
against this thing than its warton barbarity
OF its inconsistency, or It's stupidity, or It's
worse than useless results The President os
the United States in this affair, is liable to the
charge of an act of war against q friendly now
or, Tor which he has no more authority than The
llibusters against whom he has recently fulmi.
na.ed lis proclamation. Congress alone has
power 70 make war in behalf of the United
States. When The Executive usurps the power
heVnyades the exclusive Jurisdiction Of Con
gress, and violates his oath to support the fcde-
raj constitution.
In this view. admitting that The village Of
San Juan j. under the British Mosquito protcc.
torate, the destruction OF the place by an Anne.
rcan vessel of war, is less an affair of honor be-
-,ycen the British and American governments.
ha.1 question Of unlawful usurpation between
be Executive and Congress Ia both aspects
re may anticipate considerable cooling down
u the war ike ardor of our Cabinet before this
lisgroceful ispbroglio is finally adjusted. But
here Is no occasion for alarm. There Is no
LANCER q a war wfsh Great Britain. The man
Y q Old Hickory does not hang upon h.