Southern Christian Advocate

DOMESTIC

Report on the Panama Outrage.--The New York Times has a despatch on the subject of the Report of Mr. A. B. Corwine, a special commissioner sent out to investigate the circumstances of the Panama massacre of American citizens. The despatch says: "Mr. Corwine states that the riot was commenced by a colored native who fired a pistol at an American passenger, who was intoxicated. The subsequent attack upon the railroad depot and the firing upon the passengers was in pursuance of a plan deliberately formed in advance, in which the authorities of Panama were actively concerned---the police being parties to the plot---and that the dispute with the passenger was merely seized upon as a pretext for commencing the assault. He states also that the military authorities of Panama failed utterly in their duty; and they did nothing to suppress the riot; that they connived at the attack of the police and mob upon the station-house, and were themselves to a very great extent responsible for the massacre. As the conclusion of the whole matter, Mr. Corwine reports that the Government of New Grenada is utterly unable to maintain law and order and incompetent to the protection of passengers and property crossing the isthmus. He refers to a variety of incidents within the past few years to sustain this position. He also recommends the immediate occupation of the isthmus, from ocean to ocean, by the United States, as absolutely necessary for the purpose of securing safety and tranquility to the transit, unless New Grenada, after the proper representations shall have been made and the necessary demand made upon her, in pursuance of treaty stipulations, can satisfy us as to her ability and inclination to afford the proper protection and make speedy and ample atonement for the wrongs inflicted upon our countrymen by the people and officials of the State of Panama."