Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-08
John and Jonathan.

yOnu anu JOudlndus
A rupture between this country and Great
Britain, growing out of the recent outrages Of
the British cruisers IN the Gulf, seem, by nc
means improbable. The prompt action of the
Executive and the Senate of the United States, in
the premises, indicates q determination on the
part of our Government not to suffer snoh gross
and unwarrautable insults to pass by unnotlced
and unrebuked, and firm resolve TO settle at
once and forever the vexed question of the right
of search Not only is it necessary in order TO
have peace that satisfaction should be rendered
by the British Government for past misconduct,
and apologies be offered for the unjustitable
course of her bullying officials; but the great
question of the right of her officers, authorized
or unauthorized by the Government, to board,
search, detsin, or even visit vessel sailing un-
der American colors, must now be definitely de-
termined. Without such settlement, in all prob
ability, the apologies for recent outrages will
scarcely reach the interior of orr country, before
we shall hear Of new outrages of a like kind, to
be plastered over with fresh apologies, until, Il
nally, the apologies viii become more insulting
than the Offences. 1t is clearly the policy Of oul
Government to take the position that no further
outrages will be allowed under any prstext, and
to let our British cousins understand that mere
disclaimer of intentional insult, on the part Of
the Government, will not hereafter be deemed
a sufficient reparation for every high-handed
proceeding of her officials on the high seas.
The conduct of that foul bird of prey, the
"Buzzard," and her fendish consort the "Styx,
has been such as to excite the universal indigna-
ton of our people, and no intelligence would be
more gratifying than the news that both of them
had been adequately punished for their etfront'
cry by some American merchantmen or man-of
war. The "Buzzard" should be taught that A
merican vessels are not the most appropriate
prey for such carrion-crows as she, and the Styz
be sent promptly across the river Styx to a more
congenial cline, upon the next occasion offered
For fifty years past the United States has con-
stantly denied the right Of search or of visit,
which is claimed by England. Our position on
this subject must be well known by the whole
civilized world the British officers, whether act
ing with or without specific instructions, must
have understood it, and their proceedings clear
ly eyinee deliberate intention to insult and de-
fly our authority. The recall of the offending Of
ficers will be no reparation for the injury and
if recalled they viii, no doubt, in accordance
with the rule in such cases heretofore, soon b
placed in more honorable positions. What is re
quired of Great Britain, therefore, is surrende
of her pretensions and nothing else will give sat
isfaction or secure permanent smicable rela
lions between the two countries. From the ton'
of the Albion, the English paper published il
New York, we are not likely to obtain this con
cession speedily. That paper says, ''If Mr.. Dial
las be desired to ask of our ministry solemn re
cognition of the absolute inyiolability of bit Q
bunting hoisted by any one, in any place, unde
any circumstances, he will meet with flat re
fusal at any hazard" And further, ''thst Grea
Britain viii never yield to the pretensions c
Gen. Glass;" The Al6i0n declares, however, the
its Government twill strain every effort shor
of dishonorable surrender, to avoid change i
the amicable understanding which happily nov
exists"
A peaceful adjustment of the difficulty is a
most unanimously desired on this side ofthe Al
lantic, and if the British public is peryaded b
the samespirit no rupture will take place. Ola
nations in the world we most deprecate wa
with Great Britain. To say nothing about tn
damage the material interests of both countrie
would sustain, it would be fratricidal strife
and we could have no relish for war with q
opponent who sent into the field even fey
such soldiers as Capt. Wears and Sir Henri
HaYeloek.