Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-27
Fnropenn FilihnsterIsm.


We have heard so much about our own
fitusterism that we have come to regard it
&c the peculiar characteristic of the people
Of the United States; but the present per-
fcrmance of Sardinia, connived at by France,
and winked at by England, throws all our
performances in the shade. We could trump
up better reason for invading any terri
tory in America North or South, than Sar-
dinia has offered for invading either Naples
or the Roman States. The Neapolitan peo-
pie had revolutionized their Government
What right had Sardinia to invade that
State? She says, to prevent anarchy. Sup
pose we should take possession of Mexico to
prevent anarchy. All Europe would ring
with our filibustering propensities. Yet
Mexico has been in anarchy for a term, OF
which the memory of the present generation
reaches not the beginning, while Sardinia
could not wait to see if the Neapoltan peo-
pie could establish government for them
selves. Since when has the fear of anarchy,
or actual anarchy, been a cause for invading
another State2 Such national morality is
certainly not recognized in this filibusterine
country. If it were, we should long ago
have placed our eagles claw on the whole
Mexico, and we should have taken possess
ion of Canada in 1896
Sardinia affects to offer the Roman and
Neapolitan States better government. We
can do that to all creation: so we should al
once set out on a universal crusade. Her
invasion of the Roman States was not only
on an excuse which insults the common
sense Of the world, but the manner of il
violated all the customs and laws of civilized
warfare. The march of her army preceded
her declaration of war. The alleged cause
the foreign troops-had existed from time
anterior to the foundation of the Sandman
Government, and chiefly was maintained by
France, the patron and ally of Sardinia.
The unannounced and unexpected invasion
took the army of Lamoriciere in its rear, all
its positions having been taken to resist the
approach of Garibaldi from the other side
consequently the conquest was easy whereas
if the march had been preceded by fair
declaration of war, the fate might have been
very different.
The fact is, the American stomach is the
emily one that is nice and queasy toward fill
busterism and conquest. Other great ma
tions have never done any thing else but
flibuster; but we hesitate at the most deli
cate morsel, and when we take it, we act
like cat that has stolen cream. We con-
quer all Mexico. By the custom of Europe,
rra hou D.,4
Government on its legs and pay it millions
for couple of its remote provinces. Our
citizens start out on an expedition to extend
the area of freedom in Central America, and
We send our men-of-war to bring them back,
and to blockade our own coast to prevent re-
endorsements. We quarrel with Paraguay,
and send out great armed expedition to
embrace Lopez and grant him commission
to arbitrate at Washington. Walker sets
out on an invasion which had far better
excuse than that of Victor Emmanuel-it
could not have worse one-and we are re-
signed, and even happy, to have him caught
by the British marines, and handed over to
the Hondurans to be shot.
Yet Garibaldi publicly fitted out his expe-
dition in port of Sardinia, to invade Ma
pies. 1t will be said, of course, that Carl
baldi is an Italian, and lad right to strike
for freedom in his own country; but that
gave Sardinia no right to follow his rebel
lion and appropriate it. 1t is just as if our
Government, instead of helping to crush
Walker in Nicaragua, had sent an expedi-
tion to take possession of the territory
which he had conquered, and annex it to the
United States.
Rights of transit acquired by our citizens
IN Central America are destroyed with per-
feet impnnity, and the property of our citi-
zens in Mexico is confscated, or levied upon
for forced contributions to carry on anarchy.
By the custom of Europe we have right to
take possession of whatever we want in those
countries. But we are so tender about fill
busterism and annexation that we stand
back and jingle our long purse and propose
to pay any number of millions for any terri
tory they do not want or can not keep. In
the mean time all the great nations of Eu-
rope are filibustering in Europe and Asia
and Africa, and will be in America as soon
as they get time to attend to it. If we ex-
Pect to acquire or maintain our rank as one
OF the first powers of the world, or to acquire
the respect of other nations, we must get rid
Of our squeamish notions about conquest
and annexation. 1t is very well to talk
about magnanimity toward weaker States
but it is not very safe when all other
nations are eonstitutionally flibusters.
1t is much like the precept to turn
the other cheek when smitten, and give
the cloak to him that robs us of our
coat it will do very well for individ-
uals, though we never heard of its being put
in practice, but will not answer for govern
ment nor nations.
A Patriotic Appeal.