Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-06
From the New York Journal Of Commerce |
The Massacre at Panama.

The rec IT outrages on the Isthmus of Pan
anna desc lre than a passing notice We
have 81 reliable letter which shows very
clearly L.. hose outrages were premediated !;
that the natives were organized, and sought an
opportunity and prete1t TO murder and rob-
This letter states the origin of the riot to have
been as follows A drunken passenger was
disputing with one Of the women at the re-
freshment stand, and refused to pay her demand
for some purchase. A black man standing by,
native ofthe country, collared him, and doubt
less intended other violence. The passenger
turned on him, when the black seized pistol
at the others side and fred at him-the ball
striking a bystander in the arm. Very quickly
the natives collected in large numbers, with
firearms, knives and stones, and began gen
eral attack on those Of the passengers who had
pursued the black man that fred the pistol.
There was certainly in this no justification
for the outrages which followed. Humanity
shudders at the cold blooded murders and wan.
ton destruction Of property which resulted from
this beginning
Not only did the white natives unite with the
blacks, but the police also; and the Chief OF
Police made an affidavit before the United
States Consul that he had orders from the
Governor Of Panama TO attack the Rail Road
Station.
In this state Of things we apprehend that the
duty Of our Government is clear Indemnity for
the past and security for the future we must
have; and the only mode Of securing these
ends, is TO have the strong arm Of our Govern
ment on the spot, ready for action should oc-
casiOn demand. Not less than four millions Of
treasure pass monthly over the route; thou.
sands Of passengers, and valuable freight; and
the mails Of the United States. When we con.
slider all this, and also that the route has been
almost entirely unprotected save by individual
enterprise, We wonder that there is not more to
regret in the past. We are admonshed, too,
most forcibly as to the future.
THERE'S only one permanent work Of art be.
tween the Atlantic and Pacific, and this is the
Panama Railroad But for this iron link, our
Atlantic and Pacific borders at this moment
would be very far apart. Shall that work be
at the mercy Of the savages with whom the
authorities, in opposition TO all treaty stipula.
tons, sympathize2 Will our Government al.
low its citizens and their property to be in the
keeping Of mob, when national vessels. 4
stationed on the spot, could protect both, and
give that security which is essential to the
prosperity Of California and Oregon?
The Geographic advices from Washington
indicate that the Secretary Of the Navy will &C
promptly. We hope SO. We cannot but think
that these outrages suggest that a national YES
sci should be always available, should another
emergency recur on the Isthmus This will
strengthen the confidence which the prompt
orders Of Mr.. Dobbin to the steamer Fulton
have already impaired. A boats crew Of a
man-ofwar, if stationed at Panama. might
have prevented the sad occurrences we refer r..
Whether they originated in accident or in 4
settled feeling Of revenge on the part Of the
natives Of Central America against our popu.
lAtion, we know not but the remedy IS the
same, and should be Mt once applied.
Since the above was written, we have re
ceived the Washington Union Of Friday, which
says
ave are informed that Mr.. Dobbin has sat
isiactory reason TO believe that the sloop-of-wa
ST. Mary's is now at Panama. Orders have
been issued, we learn to the officer in com
mand Of that vessel, to remain in that port 81
long as he may deem it necessary for The pro
lection Of American citizens. A vessel Of the
home squadron will touch at Aspinwall also
The hope is INDUCED that the presence Of a
man-ofwar at Panama will check any attempt
at further outrages on our countrymen in that
region, and relieve passengers from appreben.
sion Of trouble"