The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-05-02
rHEoDoRE rs DEAD.

The dispatches state that Magdala.
the stronghold of Abyssinnis, has fallen
before the army of General Sir Robert
Napier. Theodore is slain, the captives
Seleased, and the red cross of St. George
floats in triumphant supremacy over
Eastern Africa. Although this may ap-
pear a subject of congratulstion-the
triumph of great and enlightened gov
eminent over horde Of barbarians who
had violently transgresse6 the laws N
nations and deserved the most condign
punishment that could be meted out to
them. we fail to so appreciate it and
think that England's conduct in this
instance, unless she has been belied in
many important particulars, does not
add to the brighter glories of her BAN
ner, or entitle her to credit Her policy
has long been the acquisition and reten-
ton of territory, little recking by what
means required or retained, for her
boasted "drum beat echoing round the
world" has too frequently been echoed
over the neglected graves of brave men
who fell ba ttling the Lion, whose insa-
tiate maw has relentlessly swallowed up
the liberties of nations. Note the con-
duct of England toward this country
from the tyranny which pre-
ceded the Revolution down to the
" piracies" of the late war; trace
the intrigues and despotic power
that has bereft the people of India of
every birthright and Ireland of every
vestige of nationality, and You have n
criterion by which to judge the policy
of England, not likely to fail in this in
stance. Theodore was possessed of an
empire on the shores of the Red Sea,
having an area of 2s2, 900 square miles
and population of three and a half
millions. However intolerant they may
be, and however rude in manners and
customs, for fifteen hundred years they
have been CopticChristians; an indepen-
dent nation, governed by their own
chiefs and Emperor. The English gov
eminent, probably in view of the Red
Sea becoming the route for the travel
and traffic of the globe on the comple-
ton of the Suez Canal, sent into the
provinces a number of government
agents and missionaries, o-tensibly to
enlighten, christianize and establish
commercial relations with tha: people.
Whether this was the true object and
whole intent, let the history of India
bear witness. Almost Immediately
feuds, dissensions and overt rebellion
broke out among the chiefs; tribe warred
against tribe; hostile combinations were
formed and the destruction of the EN-.
pire was imminent. The disturbances
were partially suppressed by Theodore !;
the conquered chiefs avowed they had
been incited to rebellion by the English;
a number of them were arrested, the
English Consul, Mr.. Rassam and few
others, and held as hostages for the good
behavior of the rest Theodore addressed
the English government, respectfully de-
manding redress for the past and secu.
rity for the future. LORD Palmer.
ston treated his communication with
contempt, and year and half
after an expedition of 10000 men
sailed under command of Gen. Napier to
release the captives, of whose execution
we have had such frequent information.
It landed at Massowah; the services of
the Egyptian corps and natives were
called into requisition, and after an inn
mense expenditure of treasure-the
article of water alone, which had to be
distilled at cost of two shillings per gal
lon, costing the government over seven
millions per annum-the army has
reached the interior, overcome the ma
tives, sacked the fortress and accomplish
ed herelease of the captives, upharmed
and well cared for. If this was the sole
object of the expedition, it now remains
for the entire army to return. IL, how
ever, we are right in our surmises some
pretext will be found, and Abyssinnia
held as dependency of Great Britain,
owing allegiance to its flag, paying tri-
butte to its treasury; never more while
England can prevent il, to be an indie
pendent nation. He, who maintained
his rights. died in their defense, like q
true hero, and his subjects mourn in one
day, their army beeten and destroyed !;
their homes filed with the slain and
wounded, their palaces pillaged and
plundered the loss Of their empire and
and emperor, their leader and their liber-
ties. .tit -