Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-12-13
The Cloud Darkening.

The Cloud Darkening.
John S. TArasher, IN American citizen, con-
demned piithow defence, for pretended poll
tical crime, and sentenced to eight years hard
labor in the Spanish mines or gaaeys-his
departure from Hauana for Ceuta.
We had up to this time supposed that Mr..
THRAsHER would have been set at liberty, as
negotiations were pending and there was every
probability that the Americans engaged in the
Lopez Expedition would be released and sent
back from Spain. In fact we never believed
that anything serious would happen to Mr..
THRAsHER. Butt it seems that othere as well as
ourselves have been mistaken; Mr.. T. has been
sentenced to eight years hard labor in the Spa
nish mines or galleys, and has been despatched
for Ceuta, a fort on the coast Of Africa in the
possession of Spain.
From all the information ascertained upon
this subject, this case presents probably the
most high-handed outrage ever pcrpetrated up
on an American citizen-and truly does it seem
that the cloud which rested over the political
relations between this country and Spain, has
indeed darkened, and to a degree which por-
tends serious consequences. The Picayune,
which is not apt to be wrong upon such mat
tiers, speaks in a very decided tone upon this
subject, and calls for the immediate interposi-
ton of our Government in behalf of this I'M
fortunate victim Of Spanish tyranny.
Simultaneous with the arrival of the news
of Mr.. rs sentence, is the fact, that Spain has
liberated twenty-three English subjects con-
nected. with the expedition of Lopez, while
the Americans are still retained, showing her
decided ill.feeling towards this government.
A mass meeting was held in New Orleans
last Wednesday, to express sympathy for Mr..
THRAsHER, and to call for the immediate aid
Of Government to effect his release. In anti
cipation of this meeting, the Picayune says:
They are momentous interests of which the
meeting to-nigh. takes cognizance; and, carry
ing with them so strong a current of national
feeling, it is to be hoped that the proceedings
will take a corresponding tone of elevation.
We are not to assume, we trust, that any por-
ton of our own Government, of our wi peo-
pie, is Indifferent to its rights and duties, and
need either taunt or stimulus to kindle the pro-
per spirit of pride and determination. 1t is a
cause in which, we think, the whole people will
be united; and the Government of the people
will be ready to act in concert with the popular
voice, and as the willing organ of the nations
will.
We mistake not if stirring news is not soon
heard from the seat of Government. Spain
nay yet be sorry that she did not sell Cuba
We heartily unite with the city press in de-
bouncing this foul individual wrong and nation
i insult, and dear indeed do We hope it will
the prostituted monarchy which has thus
Jared to display its a~ntipathy and violence,
ven at our very thresholds! The Bee says:
We unite very heartily with our cotempora-
les in commencing the case of this unfortunate
1ictim of a most grinding and heartless tyran-
~, to the early attention Of our governments
The proceedings of the so called trial, which
erminated in his sentence to eight years labor
n the galleys at Ceuta, have been placed be-
ore the public, and a more bitter moekery of
ustice, a fouler outrage on the laws of evil
lence has never been presented. There was
lot even a pretext furnished for the infamous
md disgraceful punishment TO which Mr..
rhrasher has been subjected. The testimony
gainst him was the merest fimsy tissue Of sus-
and Tumors-no facts were alleged-no
vert act was proved-not an allegation sub
tantiated. The defence was an insult to the
cry forms of Justice. His Spanish advocate
id not even seek to invalidate the charges
but uttered an implied admission of
uilt, and asked for mercy. The whole affair
,oks like a base, wanton and objectionable act
+ oppression upon an American citizen; and
he government is bound, by every considera-
Of national honor and self.respect, to probe
re villainy to the very marrow and to demand
Re restoration of Mr.. Thrasher to his free
om and rights. If this be not done, the
tie of American will hereafter be worse than
nullity to him who s%ojourns in q foreign land, !,
nd despots may wreak their spite on our fel-
wv countrymen in the full conviction that the /,
lone Government is utterly insensible to the /,
Of its citizens, the moment they leave :
ur soil. But we hope for something better
the Executive and Congress. Let this {
ark and d~ishonorable act be thoroughly inyes- {.
gated, with the fixed resolve. that the rights Of {
. American citizen shall suffer no detriment. .
his Is all the country asks, nor will it be con- e
'nted with less. .
Mr.. FrLLMoRE.-A Washington correspon- :