Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-28


might be virtually repudiated-at least cum
ningly and daringly eyaded-by their success
sors few years hence. Therefore, our govern
ment would have right, without offence, to
retain in their hands some species of hostage
or guarantee. "America for the Americans!"
is the secret creed of the population of the
Union. Shall breaches of faith-such, for in
stance, as that committed by Russia at the
Sulina mouths of the Danube-be considered
yenial, even justifable acts, if done in the name
of a political religion.
Thus far, the Americans might have right
to say that we had carried on with them our
old diplomatic game-that we had played out
policy Of pretexts and shame, accusing our
neighbors, with Puritanical affectation, Of the
very vices we were committing ourselves. But
from such point to the last act of the Presi
dent is great leap utterly unjustifed by the
laws or the customs of nations. How can Mr..
Pierce suppose it possible that Europe will
look on calmly at such spoliation. For it is
not with England, but with Europe, that Anne
RIGA would have to wage war. Every maritime
power of this continent is more or less inter-
ested in the question at issue; but the very
right of States to their territories is also at
stake. We seem transported back to the days
Of Rollo and his Norsemen, if mere bucca-
neers can seize at pleasure upon territory, and
can receive from powerful neighbors the honors
due to a legitimate government. This Walker
IS nothing more nor less than pirate, yet his
envoy is admitted on footing with those Of
ancient and established nations, the very act
of so admitting him being declaration of de-
fance to France and England. If, then, the
proceeding of the United States government is
to be regarded as serious, it indicates policy
which must sooner or later end in war. Is it
to be regarded as serious? We would answer,
in ITSELF no !; in its possible consequences, yes
1t is comedy got up for purpose, which the
slightest adverse incident might convert into
tragedy.
We entirely agree with many Of the most in
fuential leaders of opinion in this country that
it is our duty to act with the utmost forbearance
the more SO that the English people haze
paid for a very magnificent fleet, aohich they
acoYtd be re'y glad to hare an opportunity Of
using, and that the French are by no means IN
disposed TO try a tall pith the americans. 1t
is not worth the while of the Americans-that
is to say, of the Presidents government and
the floating masses Of the population, as dis
tinguished from the staid, sober and settled
portion of the psople-to reflect whether it is
likely that England will put up with such gross
insults, even although she may perfectly well
know that they are mere electoneering tricks?
Within reasonable limits our countrymen are
not squeamish on such points, as our election
eering annals attest Those limits, however,
are passed when, in order to gain triumph
over an opponent, the bonds of union between
States, and the laws Of honor which render
treaties valuable are set at naught and trampled
under foot. Let the Americans know, above
all things, that we do not desire war, but let
them also know that we shall not shrink from
1T! Let it even be permitted to transpire that
large classes of the population are so dissatis-
fled with the attitude we took in the Russian
struggle, as even to desire an opportunity of
avenging our honor. Let them also be made
aware that if our statesmen exhibit forbearance,
even under these recent insults, the indignation
of the public may find voice in Parliament
too powerful for ministers to resist, and that
what has been begun by Mr.. Pierce in pure
political RIGHTEOUSNESS may ere long end in
some tragical catastrophe.
OPINIONS OF THE FRENCH PRESS.
The French journals received by the Ameri-
ca are very sparing Of comments on the re-
ception of Padre Will and the anticipated dis.
missal of Mr. Champion. The Pays, the Steele,
the Assembled Rationale and the Pdtrie, pub
lish the news, with a few remarks, translated
from the London journals.
ton of the Minister ofNicaragua is a new and
indiscreet step of the North Americans in Cen
trail America at the very moment when they
pretend to interdict any attempt to establish
the sovereignty of England there. 1t is not as
yet an annexation, but it is certain to happen
at some not very remote period. The treaty
with England cannot exactly be said to be
violated, and the English government is not,
therefore, under the necessity of making
cdsiis beiH of this new incident. In the mean
time the British Minister at Washington is
about to be dismissed his government will re-
fuse to disavow him and to send another in his
place, and the diplomatic intercourse between
the two nations will be suspended. Yet, not
withstanding all those alarming indications,
the merchants of the two countries quietly and
continue their transactions with tho
greatest confidence in the ultimate preserva-
ton of peace.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The great and esteemed Lombard street
banker, Samuel Quincy, we observe, has Just
died at the age of II years. He was at the
head of the firm Of Overend, Quincy 4 Co.,
whose bills are well known as Of the highest
credit in the United States Mr.. Quincy was
a member Of the society Of Friends, and bro.
Their of the eminent Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, whose
acts Ol Denencence, SO lar as tney lnV0lve0
money expenditure, we're at the expense Of this
her brother, whose fortune was colossal.
The Gazette notifies the promotion Of Major
General Sir w. Codrington to the brevet rank
OF Lieutenant General. The Gazette also con-
tains list Of officers promoted to the brevet
ranks of lieutenant colonel and major.
Mrs. l.. Wilson, Chaplain Common, died
lately, aged SO, leaving fl5,000 to the British
and Foreign Bible Society.
The prospects Of the harvest remain favora-
Bile, and many persons are already calculating
on an unusually large yield.
SPAIN.
A Madrid letter of the 9th ult., says: "The
committee charged to investigate the conduct
of the ex-Queen Christiaha is about to present
its report it will leave to the Cortes themselves
to decide whether or not her majesty shall be
A recent letter says; Several cabinet coun-
ellis have been lately held to decide definitely
what shall be done with respect to Mexico.
There is every reason to believe that war will