The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-21
FROM the Albany Knckerbocker, (whis,) Nov. 10.
Our Relations with Spain.

The course taken by the administration at Washington
with the insulting demands OF Spain is pusllanmons
and disgraceul. II would seem, from the tone of Fill
mores organs that aggressions have been committed
Spain for which she has right TO demand and has de-
manded, satisfaction from government and that the
only question is as to The measure Of reparaon which
we are bound 10 make. Unah's ffers' have nothing
to say about the asgreslons wrongs the part Of
SPAIN for which our government has right 10 call her
to account Hence we have 1t continually sounded in
our ears that the Spanish minister has made this and that
demand-and among them some very ridiculous ones
and that ne has orders from his government TO demand
his passports and leave the United States unless those
demands should be complied with by our government
10 our mlnd this is beginning at the wrong end OF the
case SO lar as the actions OF the two governments
concerned, Spain has been the first aggessor and it
was the duty OF our government 10 have demanded and
enforced satisfaction from that country before entering into
the discussion OF alleged injuries, which the direct
consequence of the previous wrongs committed against
us As regards the attempt upon the island OF Cuba
by General Lopez, who sailed from the United States
and was accompanied by several American citizens. ii
our government did not dlsavow the enterprise and en-
deavor 10 prevent our citizens from taking part in il,
Certainly the friends OF this administration will dis
pue this point Ii follows, then, that SPAIN thus far
had DO just ground OF complaint against us. WELL il
appears that, IN consequence OF the failure of the
petition, some fifty Americans threw away their arms,
and put out TO sea in boats, with view of returning if
possible, 10 Their own country. They were, however,
taken up at and beyond the jurisdiction OF Spain by
Spanish vessel, which carried them TO Havana, and
delivered them TO the royal authorities by whose or
ders they Immediately, il were shot like SO many
beasts and the bodies (o at least portion OF them) were
mnated by the cutting oil OF ears, sc. This mu-
tlaon has, indeed been denied but il IS solemn truth
and there Is proof OF the fact The in question had
no trials whatever, but were contrary 10 an express
treaty stipulation, nhumany and savageiy deprived OF
their lives Now, up TO the time Of these unlawful exc
cutons, no aggression or wrong had been committed
against Spain for which our government was Justly
bound TO make PREPARATION. But it upon the arrival
at New Orleans OF the OF the horTd bulchery OF
our citizens that The injuries were done 10 the Spanish
consul, about which much noise is now made, and
upon the strength OF which put on our defence
while the very acts and outrages OF the Cuban aubor
ties which alone produced those injuries, laid out OF
the case, And this government suffering itself be
pulled and hauled about BY all sorts OF demands and
threats, and is spending lis time grave elaboration
whether il will comply with the silly and insoent de
mand 10 salute strip OF red shifting the Spanish flag
al New Orleans. Why will not the administration wake
up, and, by proper display OF spirit put end TO all
this trifng aud carry the war into Africa Why not
al once, and in earnest, demand satisfaction for the
Of citizens II is true the unfortunate
men have gone to their long homes, but OF them
may have left needy families or near relatives and the
mode OF making satisfaction IN such case IS well esiab
ished by long usage Besides, number OF our citizens
are held In chains and doomed 10 hard labor These
men have also been condemned without legal trials,
provided by treaty; and why does not government
Ieremptorly demand al least fair trial for them Ii
has been stated that is n,ercedng for them by appeal
ing to the mercy OF the Spanish government and that it
eminent for the insult 10 the Spanish flag at New Or
leans. Gracious God have we come 10 this But we
told that the murdered men and those in chains
pirates, and therefore beyond the pale OF the law
This is not true They were pirates neiihe in lao
in fact And yet IL they tccrs II would be substan
TALLY the Tor the purposes OF this Argument since
II an American clhzen were taken IN Vet OF piracy
he would anywhere within the Spanish jurisdiction be
entitled TO trial IN the manner provided by the treaty.
and would be the duty of the American authorities to
see to II that be had such trial.