Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-06

The Jeffersonian test was: First-Is he
capable? Seconds he honest? The
maxim proceeding upon the theory that
he has right to share in the official dis
tinctions, but that capability is the first
requisite and honesty the next. This is
exactly logical, for however honest man
may be, if he is not capable, his honesty
would avail nothing having the requisite
capability, superadd honesty, and the right
is assumed.
Mr.. Miner is an obscure lawyer from
an obscure interior town. Being the ac-
credited Minister to the States of Central
America, upon his arrival at Costa Rica,
Minister Miner made a speech. He ap-
pears to have been intent upon carrying
for some political purpose the States of
Central America. The tone of his speech
resembles that of a Solano county stump
orator, who is intent upon carrying one
township at least. Speaking at Rio
Vista, he is very solicitous concerning the
fishery interests; at Vallejo, he is thor
oughly earnest in securing additional APP
preparations for the navy yard at Vaca-
vile, the fruit interest is the one interest
upon which a great commonwealth can be
founded.
Minister Miner, finding himself in the
Central American States, advised closer
unity of those States. He represents the
United States interests, but it is impos-
sible for the novice to keep within the
limits of his jurisdiction, and so the new
Minister decided that he would discuss
Central American politics. He says: "a
strong Federal Government is your only
salvation. Colombia is maSsing her troops
on the southern border of Costa Rica.
Mexico has covetous eye on Guatemala.
1t will only be short time before Colom-
bia will seek to seize your State and Mex
leo will seize Guatemala. Central Ameri-
Ca will be blotted from the map of indie
pendence, and her identity sunk in that of
Colombia and Mexico. The time is draw
ing near, and only the most energetic ac-
ton in the federation of Central America
can save your freedom"
From the above quotation it would ap-
pear that Mr.. Miner lost his commission
between San Francisco and Costa Rica !;
had mislaid his instructions from the State
Department, and instead of representing
the United States as Minister to the Cen
trail American States he concluded that
he had been sent down for the purpose of
directing the political movements of that
country. Hence he calls upon them to
make the most energetic action in fedora
ton. As the representative of the United
States, he says Mexico will seize Guate-
mala and Colombia will seize Costa Rica
To prevent these seizures and to prevent
Central America from being blotted from
the map of independence, he puts himself
at the head of political movements in the
Central American States, and advises a
closer federation of those States.
In the meantime we would like to under
stand more clearly what map is referred to
as the "map of independence" We have
seen maps of North America, upon which
we have seen delineated the Central
American States. We have, however,
never been so fortunate as to meet with
the publication called the "map of indie
pendence." Perhaps the Minister was in
dulging in rhetoric at the expense of COM
mon sense geography, as he was indulging
in bombast at the expense of good diplo-
macy.