Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-05-26
BRITISH ARROGANCE.

1t is with some nations as with some in
dividuals, continuous current of success
to blind them to thepossibility of reverse,
that they begin to feel as if'the earth and
the fullness thereof had been created for
their especial benefit and enjoyment; con-
sequently their manner and conduct be-
comes naughty and overbearing tow
ards oil with whom they are brought in
contact with. Treating them rather as
interiors and dependents, than as persons
possessing equal natural endowments and
political rights, with such especial foavor-
ties of Fortune as themselves. This is in
no case more fully exemplified in regard
to nations, individual instances are too
numerous to need special reference than
in the case of Great Britain. That nation
from which we profess principally to have
derived our origin as a people-entirely as
a government.
While it is to be lamented that so great,
so enlightened, and so refined nation
should be open to such heavy censurc !;
yet is as true Of her, as it is discreditable
TO her, that as government she is the
most arrogant and presuming of all the
nations of the earth. Possessing the
naughty bearing of the lion-her national
emblem-with portion of his courage,
but none of his magananimity, she has
long maintained, in theory at least, if not
always..in practice, that "Brittania rules
the wave" Acting upon this imperious
assumpsion, she has ever claimed that ev-
cry craft no matter to what nation belong
ing, sails upon Ocean, Sea or Gulf should
pay tribute to her maritime supremacy
by submitting to whatever humilia
ting searches and detentions she might
chose to impose even to the extent Of re
ceiying a shot in the hull or rigging: by
way of friendly assurance of the patron
age of its superior.
This practice has been followed up by
the hirelings of the British, Navy with some
Interruptions and suspensions since thai
branch of her power first became formida
bic. And however necessary it may have
become for her to discontinue it from mo
tives of interest or expediency, the righr
has never yet been disclaim ed.
The war of 1912 between her and us
as every. school boy knows, grew out o
this right of search, claimed by the Brit
ish government; and although they hac
virtually ceased to exercise it so far as oul
commerce was concerned until recently
the treaty of peace between the tive
governments which ended the war, con
tains no remuneration of that right.
Within brief period however our An
glo Saxon neighbors under color of tn
provisions Of the treaty made some year
ago between several of the great powers
them and ourselves included, in relation
to the suppression ofthe African slave trade
have revived their old practice of way
laying and searching our merchantmen
and as if to make amends to themselve
for their long abstinence from such acts o
insult and outrage, seem to be SURPRISING
all their former efforts in this delectabl,
employment. Within twenty one days
as will be seen by q list in another part o
our paper, twenty one Of our vessels wer,
boarded by English steamers, many o
them in the most insolent and overbear
ing manner. Several more have received
similar treatment since that list was mad,