The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-28
The Mach ln Rev Orleans.

Our readers in possession OF the dispatches from
New Orleans which give account OF the assault on tina
Spanish consus Office, and the destruction OF the tyns
and Datsriei OF the Spanish newspaper ia Union" in
that city is stated that the dead bodies of two of ih
unfortunate men who butchered at Havana wsrs
exhibited in New Orleans, and that the exhibition 80
enraged the people to lead TO the violent we have
mentioned. We not informed how the corpses n
Crttenden and Ker were conveyed to New Oreans and
must therefore doubt whether the exhibition which
the telegraph mentions actually took place But. unor
tunatey, have reason to doubt that New Orleans
cannot be justified in any manner, which cannot be ex
cused in any manner and which only be palated BY
supposing partial alteration Of intellect and an ntoxi
cation OF feeling caused by the contemplation of brutal
outrage and massacre
We have expressed deep sympathy for the people Of
Cuba, who are oppressed by the leaden weight Of
an odous despolism We have not sought TO give any
encouragement to those in our country who wished
TO fit out military expeditions in aid of the Cuban revolt
yet we have as far humble abilities would permit
placed the offence of such persons its true light The
effort has been made TO sustain the unfortunate and
wrongful proclamation OF April last and large portion
OF the wing press having that object in view, has de.
nounced those who might leave the United States for the
purpose of aiding the Cuban outbreak as pirates robbers
and plunderersas hoses human generis-hus inviting
their massacre not only by the Spanish. but by the Eng
lish the French, by any other force which nigh
overtake them We could quietly and see partisan
prints backing up partisan administration in deermi.
nation TO set the laws defiance, and the teeth of the
international code and in utter disregard OF all humane SEN
tments, inviting the forces of foreign monarches to slaugh
terra portion OF our citizens like dumb beasts. We there.
fore warned those who might intend to fit out military
expeditions against Cuba that If they carried thei,
intentions they would be guilty of a violation of our
laws-hat they would offend against the statute OF lss
and be subject to fine and imprisonment according to the
provisions OF that statute. But, at the same time ",
planted ourselves clearly acknowledged principles OF
national law--nay, we planted ourselves on Mr. Web.
sers exposition of the national law, and proved that
they not to be deemed and held as pirates bucca
neers punderers and not to be treated as SUCH
Our duty to citizens required us to take this
course. Right and justice required us, while pointing
out the extent Of the misdemeanor committed by those
who fit out military expeditions against the possessions
of country with which al peace, to repe at the
tme The efforts Of the National Inielligeneer and
other affiliated presses to outlaw Citizens and invite
their by the Spanish the English the French
by any other force which might overake and capture
them.
From the beginning have admitted that citizens Of The
United States, taken Spanish soil giving aid and assist
the Cuban outbreak might be treated by the Span
sh authorities they would treat their own subjects
the Spanish authorities taking to prove satisfaco
ry that they 90 taken, and preserving the record Of
such evidence for the satisfaction of government and
people. The news of the execution OF fifty American
citizens was well calculated to infame the public mind
TO evaporation and to create thirst for revenge
According to strict morality, revengefu feelings are Grim.
ina but humanity not yet purged OF its weaknesses
He is more than man. less than man, who can St
and phosophze calmly when his kindred have been butch
cred We therefore consider the New Orleans excitement
natural; and had that excitement vented itself on the
right parties the deed would have been excusabe per-
haps, though not jusfable But the right parties were
in Cuba; and there is Justification excuse for tn.
assault the Spanish oonsulae-none for the l-lrea
men Of the Spanish shopkeepers At New Orleans They
innocent OF the Havana massacre They were un-
der the protection OF the American Asg and they were
weak and defenceless The New Orleans mob We cannot
defend We advocate strict observance OF law We 3D.
vocate the utmost humanity, except towards those whose
brutality demands summary punishment We trust that
there may be mistake in the news from the South
The best feelings, if INDUCED far TO lead to niem-
perate excuses, become criminal