Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-27

From the London News, Aug. o.
The Bombariment of Greytown--What the
English Think Of 1t.
The Americans have bombarded Greytown,
and in so doing have shown tolerable proof
of that energy which has helped them to build
up the most remarkable empire in the world
in the shortest space of time possible. II is
said sometimes that popular government is
the very worst that can be devised in order to
be able to deal effectually with foreigners in
the event of interrupted relations. A popular
government, it is said, may be admirably adapt
ed for the administration of the internal re-
ources of the country; but when foreign rela-
tons are concerned, then unity, concen-
tration of power, are needed, which can never
be obtained except in State where the sover-
eign power is lodged in the hands of one or a
few. 1t is a sufficient answer to this assertion
to say that the most prosperous periods OF many
of the most illustrious States in the modern
and ancient world have been precisely those
where the people shared most directly in the
sovereign power. Athens was pure democ.
racy in the time of Pericles. The Italian
States passed through the periods of their
most illustrious career when they were under
popular government. The English nation has
become powerful just in proportion as the peo-
pie have exercised an influence over her legis-
lature.
The government of England has at times
been weak and vacillating because there are
other interests comprised in it besides those Of
the nation. The government of the United
States has no dynastic interests to consult. Its
ministers are not taken from arstocratical fam
lilies, who have links of connection with the
princely houses of the continent. When the
national interest is injured, or the national
honor wounded, to the nation alone is commit
ted the duty of seeking redress. The lombard
ment of Greytown is at least another proof Of
the determination of the American government
that no insult shall be offered to its subjects or
its representatives without redress being afford
ed. Some time back native captain of the
Mosquito shore was shot in a quarrel which
took place between himself and an American
captain, named Smith. On the news of this
reaching Greytown, the marshal Of that place
proceeded to arrest Smith, who had then ar
rived at Punta Arenas, on his ascent up the
river St. Juan. Mr. Borland, the American
consul who was on board contiguous vessel,
went on board Smiths ship and found him
keeping his assailants at bay. The consul i'm
mediately interposed, telling the marshal that
the American government recognized no au-
thority existing at Greytown to interfere with
any American citizen, and ordered him and his
men away. The same evening an attempt was
made to arrest Mr.. Borland he was wounded
in the face with missile, and kept prisoner in
the consulate all night.
On receipt of intelligence communicating
these facts, the government of the United
States despatched the Cyane man-ofwar to the
spot, to demand redress for the insult offered
to their consul The authorities and residents
refused to make the slightest apology, and the
town was bonn barded and burned down.. No lives
were lost. This certainly seems sharp prac-
tice, but until further information reaches
Europe, no final judgment should be offered as
to the rights of the matter in dispute. All
that can be said at present is, that nations
have rights as well as individuals that when
these rights are invaded Justice requires that
the party IN error should give redress, or in
default tl.erecf should be punished. The
United Sis ~ i,,e shown in this, as they did
in the Koszta affair, and in other instances,
that the rights Of the American nation and of
American citizens shall not suffer for want Of
vigor on the part Of the American Executive.
All we have to do is to take care that out Of
this Greytown affair our government do not
not eontrive to stir up i'll blood between our.
selves and the Americans.
The moment new territory falls into the
hands of the Americans they pour new blood
into it; they search out all its tressqgess ,ibey
they introduce education, free institutions. arts
and enterprise. These and other similar con-
siderations should make Englisbmen glad to
hear the American rumor that Brother iona
than already talks about purchasing Russian
America. If the Americans wish to buy this
portion Of the Russian dominions, and the car
is willing to sell it, no power on earth will be
able to prevent the contamination of the bar.
gain. And the only result will be, that we
shall have populous, rich, free, civilized ma
ton on our northern boundary, instead of a
scanty, degraded population, incapable of en-.
tering into those commercial relations with us
which mutually enrich two countries. We have
no reason to fear the growing development or
extension Of America.
The United States have been infinitely more
useful to us since they have been independent
than they would have been had they remained
under our government. Had they continued
to be dependencies Of the crown, they would
have afforded useful opportunities to the aris-
tocracy for the establishment of their Younger
sons in governorships and secretaryships but
their great value 10 us as a commercial nation.
opening vast market for our products. would
have been lost. Every new State that the
Americans establish supplies England with
purchasers for her goods. In their efforts AT
extension they extend onr language, thew moe |
ulate population with the principles of our laws
and open to us new channels of prosperitv |
The American imports Milton and Shakspeare |
into new regions, as well as corn and cotton. |
The more territory Brother Jonathan obtains |
SO long as the republic is not endangered
better for John Bull.