The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-30
Nstionsl noaor and national -Dianity.

National Honor anu NaAuAaA' E@AhAAHs
Among those who believe that the Spanish
authorities SO far forgot themselves as to violate
the american soil, there is a difference Of opinion
n to sf6cton the national question by the return
az ReY. Several papers have asserted that the re-
Appearance Of Garcia in New Orleans, settles at
once The difficulty between this country and Spain
while one, al least, maintains that tho position Of
national parties is not at all changed. For our
selves believe that the latter opinion is correct
Were we satisfied that a man had been f0foiby
carried from our shores by foreign agents or foreign
emissaries, though the man were brought back in
all the pomp and ceremony Of a ,triumphal process
sion, see the accounts OF Reys reception here,) we
could not be disposed rest satisfied. The insult
is none the less; the indignity can only be re-
moved by full acknowledgement of the wrong,
accompanied by the humblest and most submissive
apology.
But satisfied as we are that no violence was
ever done to the cowardly criminal Rey--con-
WINGED as we are that the haughiest official in The
Spanish realm has too just an Appreciation Of
American power and American influence, to dream
for moment Of outraging American honor and
American dgnity--we do not look on a war with
Spain as at all probable or possible under present
circumstances, Spain knows too well the relative
strength Of the two nations to desire contest with
the United States and We have no cause Of quar-
rel with her There is a noher opponent with
whom there is, now, more probability Of our en-
Raging Let the eagle check at the falcon that
flies in the Ioftiest atmosphere, and stoop not to
wound the meaneE birds that keep amidst the
clouds, unable to soar into higher and purer re-
giOns. England offers US fight She has really
treated Us to national slight She has by acts,
stronger than. words, declared her disregard Of
American policy. She has virtually said that we
had no right to interfere with any relations she
might choose to establish between herself and the
nations or tribes Of this continent Il remains for
Us to teach her that our wishes are not to be dis
regarded
We have been charged with a want of patriot
ism and an utter disregard of public opinion be-
cause we did not join in the hue and cry against
the Spanish government, and because we have
declared our conviction that Rey was not abducted
from New Orleans. As Americans, we would al
Iapst scorn to be angry with government like the
Spanish, lettering at its base and evidently in the
lasL stages Of deeadenpe. If an indignity were
offered BY such government it might anger US
for moment but when we came to reflect Of the
vast difference between our strength and theirs.
we could but smile at the passion that had agtated
us. No, it is not for Americans to treata nation
Just trembling on the verge Of the grave with any
degree Of violence. It's for us to strike the ercer
beasts Of prey-the English lion, vigorous in health
and powerful in his attacks-not the Spanish Loop
ard, thai hardly hasstrength enough to drag along
his furnishing body or utter gFowl.
But We have shown disregard of public opinion
because we would not believe in abduction. There
has, az yet, been no public opinion formed as to
whether Rey was or was. not abducted There
has been popular passion excited by false state-
menta and oalumnious Misrepresentation There
has been cry Of Fetrhution for an imagined indig
nifty offered to the American honor. But this is
all. Have one hundred persons taken the evidence
which was adduced before the investigating court
and weighed its valuel Have one hundred men
ia this eiry thrown aside as worthless the absurd
and ridiculous Stories which public passion has
magnifed into reliable rumors and welhaseertained
tacts3
Had, however, the ReY excitement which has
just passed been an opinion Of the people, and not
q passon-had it been the result Of convictions
founded on facts, and not of-reports and rumors
received from the most unreliable sources-we
would have treated the matter far more seriously
than we did. But when men would not listen to
reason and common sense--when they had been
SO blinded by passion that they could not see truth
rendered so deaf that they could not distinguish
the tones Of truth from the notes Of falsehood-
Tidicule the only weapon left for us to contend
against the general impressions of the community.
With US, it was question Of time; we felt that
It was only necessary to resist the torrent for
few hours or days. n The end every one who
reflects must think as The Crescent does in regard
to the great abduction farce.