Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-10-09
The American Consul at Havana.

We copy below an article from the New York Eve
ming Journal, edited by Thurlow Weed, the leading
Wing Of New York The article speaks the sentiments
Of the American people in regard to the conduct oil Al
len F. Owen. the representative Of government at
Havana. Yet strange say, he still continued in Office
by Mr. Fillmore The following article is from the pen
of a wing, and as Mr.. Owen is wing, appointed by
Mr.. Fillmore and continued in Office by Mr. Fillmore,
the writer of course speaks impartally.
There is no longer room TO doubt the heartessness
Of the official who dsgraces the American character at
Havana. He has proved himself destitute oil the COM
monest sympathies Of nature, and wholly unworthy
the position he holds the hands Of the government.
The unfortunate who were deluded by false re-
presentations to accompany Lopez to Cuba; and who
paying the penalty of their rashness and Jolly had
right to look him for counsel and sympathy, II not
for aid in their deep distress. Many OF them were his
fellow countrymen Some of them were personally
known to him. All Of them belonged TO the common
brotherhood of man. An unenlightened barbarian
would have pitied them An American Christian should
have done no less.
Mr. Owen excused himself from affordng them either
aid or sympathy by coldly informing them that the
President had proclaimed them without the pale o. the
law, and he could do nothing for them" This was a
despicable apology. None but heartless man would
have uttered it, IL others had been destitute of hu
man sympathy these hundred and sixty Americans
night have died unenviabe death than the fifty
who were slaughtered by the Cuban authorities.
But when they were thus abandoned by the represen-
tave of their owa government they received aid from
American residents and from Mr. Crawford the British
Consul! Ii may be Notifying to our national pride,
bur it is credtabe the English representative that
when Mr.. Owen turned his back upon them Mr.. Craw-
ford cheered them by his kindly sympathy and ready
contributions. The letter which published yester-
day says: During several days only means ofcon
tributng to the amelioration Of their condition was
through Mr.. Smith,. Secretary Of the British Consul,
who continued visit them twice daily, taking them
small comforts and speaking in their BEHALF by which
he improved, IN great degree, their con-
dton" Ii is difficult with such facts before us, to
speak calmly, properly characterize the conduct
of the American Consul.
But this neglect of the living in keeping with his
conduct toward the dead When the gallant but unfor
tunate Crtenden and his doomed associates, express
ed wish to place in safe hands simple mementos
of their remembrance of friends home, he refused
visit them; and when their dead bodies brutally
mutlated and dishonored by excited mob, he inter
posed no protest!
When his inhumanity first made public, the repre-
sensations were denounced exaggerations Sufficient
time has since elapsed prove them such But la
from there having been any attempt to do so, ev
dences of his reprehensble conduct have accumulated
rapidly, that il is longer possible doubt the
truth of all that has been published against him. The
Administration owes it itself dismiss from
service a who has signay outraged humanity
and disgraced the government which he represents"