Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-08-24
The Difficulty at Greytown.


The Difficulty at Greytown.
1t is favorite theory with certain prints
which sympathiZe with the British in their
desire to maintain a protectorate over Grey
town, that the Secretary of War ought to have
represented the facts to the Nicaragua Co
vernment If our flag is insulted, or our citi-
zens malTeated by the so-called Republic
of Central America, no notice is to be taken
of tho occurrences by the United States until
redress is asked for frUm the fountain head
But these journals seem to forget, or do not
know. that with these countries, for the past,
even when that be obtained, is no security for
the future. The people of those ports care no
thing for their Governments mnch they
pay, how much they are punished, or how
meanly they apologi Sc, so long as the real
perpetrators ofthe offence 90 free from personal
chastisememt But the case of Saa Juan or
Greytown~yill still more forciby illustrate
the folly of such course allies TO what 60
yernment would the United States have ap-
pealed for redress? Not to that of Nicaragua,
for the GreytOwn authorities did not recogn-
ize that as binding. Not to the drunken say
age who claims dominion over the place. for
he would have sheltered himself behind the
British protectoTate. Not to the English 60
rernment, for their claim is repudiated by all,
save the Whig journals and their allies, both
in this country and in England How then,
could the United States government have
made representation of the facts to any res
ponsible party. It could not have been done,
and the suggestion issimnly one Of the tricks
resOrted to Dy the enemies Of the administra-
ton and the country, to embarrass the one,
and insult the honor Of the other.
Mr. Rice, formerly Consul at Acapulco, has
contributed an article to the Saco (Aie) De-
mocrat, upon this subject, which is deserving
of attention Mr.. Rice had 4 pretty extensive
experience under those irresponsible govern
ments OF which he writes, and has suffered
not little from that class of persons whom
Capt Hollins chastised, in Mexico. He.
therefore, speaks forcibly upon the subject,
but we have no doubt truthfully. At any
rate, we consider his testimony of sufficient
weight on such question to overbalance a
thousand such trades as those INDUCED by the
whig journals and their sympathisers. After
summing UP the whole facts, Mr. Rice comes
to the conclusion that the only way to deal
with such fellows is to bring the punishment
directly home to the authors of the outrage, a
la Secretary Marcy and Capt. Hollins-and we
feel very much inclined to coincide with this
opinion Mr.. Rice then continues:
''The bombardment of Greytown is bring
ing down the general anathemas of the press
against the administration. 1t is natural it
should. Very few editors have had the felici-
ty of prolonged residence in the ports of the
little rascally miscalled republics and depen-
denotes on this and the southern portion ofthe
continent. Very few of them have been ba-
yonetted by black soldiers, because they re-
fused to submit to extortions, or been locked
up in calabooses with feas and drunken ne
groes, because they would not submit to be
robbed by African alcaldes and breechesless
Indian officials, a years residence among
some of these communities, would be sad
damper upon their sympathizng hearts. The
principal plea made fer Greytown is that she
is weak,-that she hadn't sword or gun to
defend herself with. OF course she hadn't.
But when they happen to catch you without
a sword or gun look out for them! a com
munity of bigger rascals never existed than
the Jamaica-negro community of Nicaragua.
As General jackson eloquently remarked
in his first message, in regard to the modern
Greeks &" 1t would be large economy in God
to save the like" But seriously, this doctrine
that you must let weak nations insult you and
impose upon you, merely because they are
weak, is getting to be a bore. They presume
too much upon such an immunity, We do not
agree with the New York Courier and En-
quirer, when it asserts that we take no notice
of insults heaped upon us by powerful nations,
while we are ready to grind to powder weaker
ones. A shghtinsult or outrage from England
France or Austria sets up cry of vengeance
throughout the land.
We all hear of it and talk about it, because
it comes from a powerful, proud people, and
is generally calculated, premeditated cou-
rage; and we generally get satisfaction for it
either in money or apologies. But weak nat
ions, having no money, and ready to commit
again the same offence as soon as they have
apologized for it; we let it pass. No glory can
be gained in thrashing them; national jealous
les and national pride is not evoked, and so
we generally conclude to forgive them. We
think this punishment inflicted upon will have
a healthy influence in those parts.
GJ-THAT Gov. BIGLER will be reelected,
tbere Is now no oueStionl We confess that n