The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-23


SPARTA AmesuGS.n GSveEDEns1es.
Dor sdV'cte From veDezueta inform ne that
the question With the B,itish aud French iek.a
tiope. in relation 10 the protection afforded 20
the late President Mcuagas, threatens to assune
be',isersnt form. Several British and French
vessels of var were lying before Lsgusyra, and
while Captain Duolop. the British commander,
,nsists upon the su'flmeot of the arrangement
made between the several foreign ministers aud
the Verezuelsn Secretary Of State the govern
toent- on che other hand, spnounce their deter
mipatton to bring ex President Monagas to
trial
1t will he remembered that few months
eirco o SUDDEN revolutionary movement, led by
Gereral Castro, cccsrred in Veuezuela- Prcsi
cent Monagas, finding himself without the
means of resisting this movement, which had
the popular sympathy every ~here, presented
himself in the balls Of Congress, aod resigned
into its bands the power he had held a. chief
Of the State. From there he proceeded to toe
residence Of the French legation, escorted by
some Of the members Of the diplomatic corps,
and the flags of oil the foreign ministers resi-
dent in Caracas were hosted over the house.
General Castro was installed as Provisional
President, and after forming his Cabinet, HIS
Secretary Of State proceeded to arrange with
the diplomatic corps the question Of the dispo
eition that WAS to be made of ex President
Mopagas, and those of his friepde who had
taken refuge under the protection of the foreign
legations. After some discussion protocol or
agreement was drawn up and signed by all the
foreign ministers, and by the Secretary OF State
on the part of the Venezuelan government.
by its terms the OK President was to be allowed
to leave the republic, bat was to reside for
specified time at such place abroad as the 60
vernment of Venezuela might indicate. Gene
raj Castro was not satisfied with the protocol
that bad been signed by his Secretary of State,
and he dismissed him and demanded of the
foreign ministers the delivery of Monagas, that
he might be subjected to trial. He and his
friends are accused Of having usurped power,
which he sustained by blood, and prostituted to
the robbery of the public treasury Of large
sums.
The question with the British and Frerch
legations is the carrying out of the pro-
tocol MIR. Eames, our Minister, after
having signed that document, withdrew
from any further participation in the
matter, il he has not, with an appear
ance of inconsdcrate selfrespect, taken now
the opposite view. The other ministers partici
pating in it are representatives of minor
Powers We have no sympathy for Mcnagas'
whose course in Venezuela has been Of the
most reprehensiblc character. His tyranny
has been most odious, and the Venezuelans
have not gained anything in the estimation of
the world by their long submission to him.
Towards foreign governments, and our own es
pecially, bis conduct has been marked by
constant bad faith, and, we may even say, re-
peated insult We have little liking, too, for
the system Of constant interference and control
practised in the Spanish American republics by
the representatives OF the European Powers.
But the present question involves far higher
consequences than that Of doing simple act Of
justice to an outraged people. 1t must be
viewed not simply as question OF doing an
abstract right In the present instance but in the
bearing il may have upon, and the precedent
il may form in, our future diplomatic relations
with all the ill.governed States Of Spanish
America.
IL it were an act Of interference with
any of the settled governments OF the
world. where the legal forms Of power
and justice are respected, and where
the law is sacred from violation by popu-
lar passion or armed power, The course Of the
foreign ministers in Caracas would be uujusti-
fable. It Is an admitted prccept of intcrna-
tional law, that while the sanctuary of q
foreign embassy is inviolable for the protection
of the persons composing the legation, ii can
not be used to shield criminals or fugltives
from the law. But in countries where the law
has only nominal existence, and where an in
yiolablc respect for its forms on the part OF the
goyernment-so necessary everywhere for the
protection Of the rights and liberty Of the citi-
zen-does not exist, an exceptional state of
things arises which necessarily confers upon the
legations of foreign governments greater dc.
gree OF immunity. This Is the state of things
through nearly all of Spanish America, aud
universal custom among those III governed
republics has come to recognise its existence.
Government based upon the will Of the peo-
pie is q thing almost unknown among them
Revolution after revolution brings, with rapid
succession, new military chiefs into power,
each OF whom governs according to his own
viii. Ills opponents are driven away, and q
socalled popular vote is got up to ratify his
acts. Few instances can be found where the
leader of q successful revolution in those coun-
tries has not been sustained by the election OF
his partisans in an immense majority to the
seats in Congress or the halls Of public con-
vention. His simple decree makes and un-
makes the law, and the judges bow down before
his power. II is under such state Of things
that we have recently seen in one Of those re
publics foreign residents compelled 10 subscribe