Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-12
MEMPHIS APPEAL
THURSDAY, APRIL IL, 1883.
AMERICANS IMPR!sOsED Al Pan.

An appeal comes 10 the citizens Of Amer
lea from Chiriqui prison, Panama, South
America, which should find a response in
every American heart. In January last it
was discovered 10 Panama that a keg con-
tanning $4,000 in gold, the property Of the
Panama Railroad Company, had been stolen
Various parties were arrested OF more or
less grounds OF suspicion, in connection with
the Gaze, among them seven Americans.
These latter have published a statement Of
their case in the New York World. They
solemnly protest their innocence, and bitterly
aud justly complain because they are kept
shut up in miserable celia, foul and reeking
with stencil, and although three months
have elapsed, they have not been brought TO
trial. To take the case of one of them,
Alexander Stewart, of New York, we find
that he is a gentleman of unexceptionable
character and member Of highly respect
able family residing at 239 West Forty.
ninth street, New York. His elder brother
is engaged in South American business, and
he was sent TO represent the firm there. He
was returning from d visit 10 New York, and
was sleeping, as the affidavit of the captain
Of the ship proves, on board the vessel in
which he returned on the night preceding
the morning on which the robbery was dis
covered. % that day he went ashore and
paid a brief visit 10 the hotel there, where
Americans usually stop. There he met three
or fonr men with whom he had casually be-
come acquainted when he wss at Brapquilla,
four years before. A brief salutation took
place, aud he shook hands with them and
returned to the ship. The men, 1t appears,
were under the watch Of the police, who sus-
pected them OF being connected with the gold
robbery. Because Mr.. Stewart spoke to them
he was followed to the ship aud
arrested. This is the whole charge against
him. But though demanding a trial he and
the other Americg as are sill detained in the
vile cells at Panams. It was not until three
days after his arrest that Mr.. Stewart knew
why he had been arrested, and then he
learned it accidentally. He appealed, of
course, to the American consul, whose duty
it was to demand speedy trial for him, but
the consul failed 10 do so, and cent to Wash
ington for instructions. The Worlds corre-
spondent at Washington called at the State
Department and learned that the consul had
received instructions to demand fn in.medi-
ate trial, but his efforts did not bring that
result. A recent Dispatch from him says,
however, that he believes he has succeeded go
far as TO have the men brought into court
for examination. There is matter 10 this
case for reflection on the part of every Amer
lean. Is the American citizen to understand
that when he goes abroad his government ia
powerless to protect him, though other gov
srnnents oaH So protection 70 their people
and insure them speedy examination by the
courts? II is discreditable thisg TO our
government if such be the case, but what
power can government exert in foreign
land that has not a ship 10 send TO support
its demands? Without a navy a country
cannot have prestige among other nations.
There is no necessity to fire shot. The
very knowledge that there ia the power and
the means 10 do 30 is enough. Where that
power is not owned or shown, such occur
rences as this at Panama become possible.
Our people should Insist that the American
nation be respected abroad as nation of
fifty millions of people have right TO be.