Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-21
From the Lsndon Times, July "A.
The I0nlan Islands.


The Ionian Islands have been virtually in the pos.
session of England for half century They are
supposed 10 constitute republic under British pro
lection, but their affairs are, in reality administered
directly by the lord high commissioner. The islands
are OF value naval positions. and Corfu
commands completely the Adratic and the Lsvant.-
The lonians have even less than the small share of
good qualities which falls to the lot of the Mediterra
mean populations. We need not enlarge on a fact
pretty well KNOWN that our consulaies In every re-
gion where the Cepbaoniotes and Corfuoles wander
are sufficiently employed with their evil doings, in
which they only find rivals in their fellow subjects,
the Maltese. Yet everywhere they receive. protec-
ton, as much as they demand and more than they
deserve. Since the peace of 1915 they have been
well and kindly governed; the taxes are little or
nothing the presence of the garrisons brings money
into the islands, and the prosperity of the people
greater than that of any neighboring community
The onians had the blessings of good government at
time when the mainland was drenched with blood,
and when Greece was still Turkish province. 1t
was impossible for the most ingenious hater of this
country to point to any real grievance, while the
benefits conferred by the British occupation were
constant and undeniable. The system of administra
tion mi ght, then, have been wisely continued. and
The NUT terings of restlessness and discomfort dIsre
garded by a nation which governs successfully men
of all races in every quarter of the globe. But the
mania for constitutions was too strong for the good
sense of the government. Under Lord Seaton's com
missionershp parliamentary government was granted
to the islands, and all the innate mlschievousness and
turbulence OF the national character showed Itself at
once. Of course, the constitution is an absurdity.
The islands are our military posts, and must be gov.
erned accordingly and the parliament can never be
anything but means for few unquiet and mali.
cious spirits to show their hatred of this country and
their sympathy with its enemies
We should regret that this strict discipline, the
only for the original evil of granting consti-
ton, should be relaxed. II, however the description
given by contemporary of late scene in the cham
Der be correct, it is high time that the government
should look to the maintenance OF its authority Ac
cording TO this narrative, NJ Ddndolo stated in his
place that there was portion aoot to make Corfu
British coony-that ls, 10 sever it from the republic
and subj ect it Immediately to the crown. For this
assertion it is confessed there was foundation;
but had the desired effect of giving occasion to
patriotic demonstration Volumes of bombast fol-
lowed. The government officials, together with the
president joined in the uproar M. Arvitanachi de-
nounced the Internal scheme" M. Lombardo
declared that there was no in the islands who
was &" not horror-struck with the dean Many voices
repeated, " There is none." Not only" continued
the speaker " is every lonian ready to make use of
every means against it, but he is willing TO sign with
pen dipped in his own blood that union with
Greece is sole wish and DESIRE" Here the pre-
sident rose, and with him all the members CT the
house, crying with enthusiasm. es, yes, yes"
Let US, therefore, prove to the foreigner what we
is to get rid of his protection" Then M. Curl,
member for Corfu, calls on the members of the ether
SIX islands tor demonstration. and they all rise up
shouting with enthusiasm " Let put STOP"
cries the speaker s. to all proceedings proof
Of our sentiments top ards the government AMI the
protection" Then the house appointed a committee
of inquiry, upon which Lombardo exclaims, " We
have voted to-day unanimously national resurrec-
tiOn. You subscribe with your blood
the union with Greece. Who dare say that the
find in fhpSa inSla
Another deputy-"He can find none" The advocate
general" We are a Greek independent state, like
Greece, the only difference being that we under
British protection The question when
union with Greece and the whole nation will take
place must be decided by time and circumstances"
Now, this is the way in which the British suprem.
acy is talked of by set of whose only title to
speak at all is derived from the favor of gov
ernment. The thing would be irritating wele not
for the utter folly and feebeness of these noisy chat
terers, who would be the first to make their escape
an outbreak were 10 follow their mischevous decla-
nations. But because the Ionians weak there is
no reason that should allow them this liberty of
abuse and turbulence year after year. There is no
saying how far disturbances other parts of Europe
may not be encouraged blythe spectacle of people
seeming to defy openly the power OF England. This
constitution is now recognized absurdity, and
should at once be suppressed The Ionian parliament
has not the of being new and inexperienced
assembly offending for the first time it has INDUCED
in these scandaous excesses continually, whenever it
has been allowed to meet and now it should be
closed at once. Why we to carry everywhere
into extremes the policy of conciliating dependent
races We see the result in India see it
among the Ionians. We sincerely trust that if ever
again there be an attempt insurrecton, this mser
able pretence as republic will be swept away, and
the island declared crown colonies of the United
Kingdom. But We sl.ould not wait for such occa-
sion to abolish the constitution unnecessarily gran
ted The islands may very we'll be governed by tn e
lord high commissioner and his deputies, without
any such machinery as Lord Seaton attempted 10
create.