The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-15
RAYNER' s HOT ROAST.

senator haNncr mas administered lp
Zelaya Il roast about as hot as any
which history records against de-
generate ruler. ''If he were simply
highwayman, says Senator Rayner,
'we might identify him; if he were
simply a tyrant, who oppressed the peo
pie for the purpose of robbing them,
we might particularizc him; if he were
a usurper, who was only holding onto
power so long as there was any money
in the treasury to steal, or any further
territory that he could sack for private
plunder, we could assign him a proper
place in the ranks of some of his predc-
cessors, and if he were purely an as
sassin, who regarded murder as legitl-
mate profession through which he could
despoil his victims OF their possessions
until the time came for him to fee from
the hands of retributive justice, it
would be easy also for anyone ac-
quaintcd with the political history Of
Nicaragua to classify him.
"He is, however, all of these things
combined. In the school of corruption,
dishonor, perfdy and crime he stands
without a peer. and exhibits in one
glow of associated harmony the pride
OF every model and the perfection of
every MASTER
And Mr.. Rayner continues that he
has been reliably informed that 8 the
vices Of his private life are moro in
famous in their iudescribable details
than the iniquities of his public ca
recr." Justly, therefore, he concludes
that "such creature as this deserves
the execration Of mankind. Applying
the arraignment made to the case in
hand Senator Rayner said:
Now, as the eliminating infamy OF his
administration, tramplinS upon every in
stinct of humanity. In violation OF univer-
sal law, In defiance of those precepts OF
the international code that have been rec
ognized ever since the night of barbariSm
receded before the rays of civilization. he
has put TO torture and then 10 death two
American citizens who were not guilty
Of treason who were not spies, but
whom ne had captured as prisoners of
war In the army OF the rcvolutionists.
This act was not only the act CT a
fend, but was an insult TO the honor OF
this republic, and cannot remain una
vengcd.
II is absolutely preposterous for us to
talk about indemnity. Indemnity is np
recompense for murder. 1t Is said we
ought 10 break or official communication
with his accredited representatives We
have already done that and that amounts
to nothing and is matter OF absolute
Then ii is said we ought TO declare
war against Nicaragua. / think that is
unnecessary.
This government Is a cowardly govern
ment IL it does not make an example OF
Zelaya before the eyes of the civilized
world. This case VIII not admit Of any
trilng or concessions. If two American
citizens have been murdered by Ielaya;
then he must he made TO pay the pen
atty of his crime
pie the details OF the execution and our
people Will rise In arms and demand retrl,
bution. They have not yet fully absorbed
the significance OF this decd.
All of which is mighty vigorous talk,
decidedly stirring to the American
heart. And yet the question must nat
urally arise, what interest the United
States has in its alleged citizens who
enter the service of some foreign power
and meet their death either barbarously
or otherwise while in that service. IF
we extend the protection Of our citi-
Zenship to persons who have abiured
that citizenship by entering the service
Of other nations, or of those who would
obtain power in other nations by insur
rection or treason, then that is prin-
ciple that is to be enforced not only
as against Nicaragua, but as against
any other nation or power. And if it
is good international law, arc we pre-
pared to enforce 1T, say against Great
Britain, France, Germany, or Russia7
If we are, all right If we are not, do
not let us make bombastic bullies of
ourselves by asserting it against weak
and puny Nicaragua, when we would
not assert it against another nation, one
Of our own size.