Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-12
Our Consul at Havana.

The New York Herald has the fol-
lowing letter from Havana-no less
interesting than just in its reflection on
the conduct Of our Consul.-There are
moments in the life of every man, OF a
critical character, determining his fu-
ture fortunes. They test the man. In-
slant action, the prompting OF a noble
heart, have fixed Mr.. Owen ia the ad-
miration of his countrymen as firmly as
has their bloody fate forever impressed
the memory of the martyrs sorrowfully
in their memory. He suffered the mo-
ment to pass in indifference and all A.
merica pronounces him bastard. He
may turn to the books and proclama-
tions and instructions and p1ake tech
nical defence of the officer, but the man
will receive the execration of every
heart: Appeal.
HAVANA, Aug. l6, 1851.
The saddest portion of the history
ence of the American Consul to their sad
fate. This gentleman, as you are aware,
is Mr.. A. F. Owen, late representative
from Georgia in Congress, and nomi-
mated by Mr.. Fillmore to replace Gen.
Campbell, the late Consul here. Mr..
Owen was called upon by American
gentlemen residing here to see if he
had made any effort to see those of his
countrymen who were thus inhumanly
10 be shot; the Consul took the ground
that they had been declared outlaus by
Mr.. Fillmore, and he should not inter-
fere in the matter. After some con-
versation he concluded that he would
write to the Captain General, which
he did, requesting only an interview.
AT two O'Clock he had received no an
sWer.
In the career of public man, mo-
ments present themselves in which all
rules OF action, all the formalities of
courts, all the delays of etiquette, must
be set aside, and the voice of public
good or of humanity must be obeyed
with that decision which marks the
high resolve, the steady nerve, and the
noble soul of the man of worth. Obey
ing the generous impulses of such a
moment, the man of action receives the
reward he merits in the approval of the
world; but the hour suffered to pass in
inglorious inaction, the laggard in the
cause of humanity merits only the OPP
probium and the scorn of his fellow
men. Such has been the error commit
ted by Mr.. Owen: such has been the
want of generous impulse in his bosom,
and in the eyes of men he has covered
himself with disgrace and infamy. The
diplomat may shield himself behind the
taproclanation of the President" the
Consul may allege ''the want of power;'
but where will the man hide himself
when the fathers and mothers shall ask
him tidings of their sons? when the
wives and daughters shall ask him for
the last words of their husbands and
fathers; when their brethren (and wher-
ever liberty scatters her blessing they
have brethren) shall ask him what of
our brothers! These are not vain
words, but it is the outcry of young
Cuba, from Capa Marsi to San Antonio,
and her thousand hills echo back the
cry. This will be the voice of SYM
pathizing people that fills the land shad-
owing with wings.
Access to the Captain General can
be obtained at all hours by the simple
assertion that the business is urgent,
and how much more easily could the
Consul of the great republic have OBJ
tanned access. His simple asking for
an interview might have delayed their
fate, and given them more time to pre-
pare for that dread tribunal before
which they were about to oappear.-His
simply showing the interest of man
in their fate, might perhaps, have in
clined the Captain General to less
vengeful determination, and have saw
ed some from the fate they met. Had
he saved but one man il would have
been to him forever fountain of joy;
as he made no effort, it must be to him
forever source of bitter regret. As a
public man, he has shown himself ufit-
ted for the responsible position he holds
for in times of revolution, men, and
not books-living impulse, not dead
rules, are to be consulted.
do not write this in spirit of an
ger, but after hours of calm reflection;
and, to any gentleman who asks my
name from any other motive than an
impertinent curiosity, you are at perfect
liberty to communicate it. Mr.. Owen
leave to the judgment of his fellow
citizens.
The revolution goes gloriously on.
In the East and the west the patriots
are every where triumphant. The
people join them in crowds, aud the
year 1851 will see the close of Spanish
rule in Cuba. l leave to your able cor
respondents all details.