The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-22

TEE panama MAssAcRE.--We published yes
terday The reply Of the Granadian government to-
the communication made by Mr.. Jas. B. Bowliu,
on behalf OF the United States, in reference 10 the
massacre in Panama in April last 1t far
moro sensible ana practical document than We
usually receive from Spanish American antheri-
ties: il admits the two points, which, as we appre-
bend, form the head and front OF the preieasions
of he United States namely, that the Glaaadan
authorities on the isthmus had not the power to
ouel the riot, AMI secondly, that the general an
thorities at Bogota have not the power 70 coerce
them or offer adequate redress. All the other
points taken by our side are immatera aud
where Senior Limo de Pombo denies them; he may
possibly be right
From Washington we learn also that the re-
port Of Mr.. Commissioner Corwine IS under coa-
liberation by the Cabinet-that he recommends
strong measures, which, OF course are dis!astetui
Mr.. Pierce, for whose glory Grcytoan appear@a
to have suliced.
The point of this whole matter lies il the two
points we have mentioned. II is Of no sorg OF
consequence whether the riot was premed,tatel
OF spontaneous whether the natives Of the Ishmus'
are turbulent, as Ward pretends, or paaceabe, rs.
SeGor de Pombo assures US; whether
the American who fred the revolver WIS
in the wrong or in the right. All
these are trivialitics, and they belong
10 the past. The future is conc ,rned
solely with the question whether such riots may
or may not recur and jeopardizc American li.e
and property? And that question, on S:nor tle
POmbos own showing, must be answered in the
affirmative. He admits 'bat "the organization OF
the government is deficient or incomplete, and
not well supported by the scantiness o. liz actual
revenues adding that the sectional legislation
is improving" and closing with hope that '.he
government interested in the secl,ity OF the
transit will respect its present comparative weak
ness" In another place he shows how raese-
sure which would have strengthened the hands of
the local government on the isthmus was lost in
consequence of some defect in the organization
Of the Legislature at Bogota; and apologies for
'the Shortcomings as the federal regime has oaly
just begun to be tried, and that partially, il New
Granada, and experience is still wanting
Now, we share Senior de Pombo's hope that
time viii remedy these defects, and that some
day not only will the federal and local govern
ments Of Granada be completely and efficiently
organized but the people Of that State will be so
enlightened as to relieve their government Of
much Of its present responsibility as their guar
dian. But the Granadian Minister cannot surely
expect us to pay the cost Of the political educa-
ton Of his fellow countrymen. He must be aware
that that is burthen which should fall on
themselves alone. And he cannot think it un-
reasonable if seeing as We do from his own state
ments, that incidents like that of TIE 18th OF
April may recur again and again, in spite Of the
Granadian government and in consequence OF its
admitted weakness and inexperience, we take the
measures that may be peedful to protect our
countrymen and their property from any evil eff
fects to result from such weakness and ineyperi-
ence
SO tar as our Administration is concerned there
is but one course to pursue. a national vessel
should be stationed permanently at either termi-
nus Of the railway; and system of signals should
be agreed upon between the railway officials and
the vessels, SO that in case of riot, L body of
United States troops may be landed al once for
The protection Of passengers and property As to
the past, considering the position of the govern.
ment Of Granada, if their excuses arc ample
and we think Senior de Pombo's note goes long
way-it might be becoming and honorable for this
government to deal with them leniently
A TT n