The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-16
The Rights of our citissas under the Treaty with
spain Nssisetsd by the Adlnini.tration.

been remss in holding the administration 10 its Just and
heavy responsibility in regard TO the mournfu and
humiliating transactions in Cuba. We are galifed to
perceive that the press OF the country speaking out
loudly and boldly upon this subject and that many able
pens employed in its calculation. As an instance,
among many Others OF the manner in which the matter
is treated submit The following Communication TO our
readers;
To the Editor Of The Uaioni
The Republic in lis anxiety to "exclude the conclu-
sion" that il is an organ of any body" takes il for grant
ed that the public have forgotten the remarkable fact
that that paper has twice changed its editor at the bidding
of those holding the rens OF power This is the first in
stance OF the kind in the history Of the political press in
this country. probably Of any free country since the
invention of printing No can doubt that if the pro-
prleors OF the Republic had the slightest reason to be-
eve, or received the most delicate hint that lis editor
did not reflect the views and sentiments OF the admins
ation he would not hold his forty eight hours bul
would be SUPERSEDED with all imaginable prompttude BY
some one ready to advocate Gaphinism Conchasm, or
any other ism that promised to pay well.
This dodge" by which it is attempted to avert from
the administration the odium of antinaonal sentiments,
and al the same time the support OF that class who
unfortunately always Obliged by delicate of
justice, TO take part against their countrymen, will
not answer.
The people are in a bad way when their own govern
ment becomes dena,ionalized and alien 10 them party
in opposition, and having control of the national
means, may espouse the OF foreign government
without efectng much HARM because the party in power
still ready and have the MEANS though more or
less embarrassed to MAINTAIN the rights and honor of the
country. Thus the Mexican prosecuted TO
successful ISSUE although the opposition in this country
was more Mexican than the Mexicans themselves. But
when government only abandons its duty 10 pro-
tec its citizens but takes part against them and is eager
and Jealous in us attempts TO prove them unworthy OF
any sympathy, TO whom they TO look for pro-
lection The opposition in their own country is power
less, and extend them any help They trust,
therefore, 10 Providence the kind Offices of for
egn government.
The plain duty of government is TO protect its citi-
zens, far reasonably can against foreign gov
eminent when 1t believes them to be in the wrong
is the business OF foreign governments to protect them
selves and they generally calculate their OF pro-
teclng themselves before they commit aggression,
The last OF their calculations, probably would be that
of receiving any encouragement or counenance what.
ever from the government upon whose citizens the ag.
gression was medilaied or committed. When Governor
Concha put American citizens 10 death in cold blood,
without trial, he may have calculated that his govern
would be backed by that of France and Eng land
but until he the proclamation OF the President he had
right expect that the would be defended by any
speaking by authority in behalf OF the government OF
the United States.
The Republic labors 10 prove that the citizens of the
United States engaged in the recent Cuban expedition
violated the h article oil the treaty OF 1895 with Spain,
and therefore, according TO the terms of the article be-
came liable 10 be punished pirates. Now in the first
lace, the words OF the article certainly do comprise
The of those engaged in the Cuban expedition, for
they did not "appy for take any commission letters
OF marque for arnug any ship ships 10 prya-
against the subjects" OF her Catholic Majesty The
vessels in winch they embarked were intended 10
as privaeer, nor had the men board Of them any in
enon OF sezng the private property OF the subjects of
the Queen Of Spain, Their object purely political
one-io effect a revolution in the island OF Cuba The
object Of those who fiji out prvaleers is personal gain
and privaeerng is allowed or tolerated in because it
is means by which the cupdiy of individuals made
subservient TO the purposes OF government
But it is nimated that the spirit OF the article comprises
the case il the words do not This assertion would show
ignorance OF the object OF the article and of the history of
privateerIDg.
The distinction between pirates and prvaeers is of
comparatively recent origin. The word pirate in its ORR
gin, signfed merely cruiser; and that is the literal
meaning OF the word oorsa,r now. Formerly, when mar
thine nations al war; cruisers were fitted out by in
dyiduals, and took parl IN the without any special
authority from government This led depedations upon
friends and neurals, and what we now call piracy In
consequence oil these depredaons by private armed ships
Queen Elizabeth in 1902, issued proclamation directing
that man-of-warre be furnished set QUITE TO sea
withoue cence under the create scale Ct the admiralty
upon sufficient bonds and surees" Being thus licensed
private armed ships became in fact part of the public
force Of the nation, and invested with national chaac.
Ter. But the practice still demorazing and as such
is denounced by some eminent writer's on the laws OF
nations including Vatte though not forbidden by public
law. About the time Of the origin OF government,
and when we were making our FIRST treaties with foreign
powers public attention throughout Europe strongly
drawn 10 the practice OF priyaieerng. Frederick the
Great hat crowned philosopher proposed 10 the Uni
ted States that in of between the two powers
no letters OF marque should be granted BY either The
efforts OF DR.. franklin TO obtain general Reputation of
the practice are well known.
The 14h article of the treaty of 1895 was moi the re.
suit OF any peculiar feelings OF any between the United
States and SPAIN It's object TO discourage far rs
practicable demoralizng mode OF warfare II was not
perhaps considered at the time that the article was in.
compatible with the rights of other nations not parties
to the treaty. and that treaty between the United States
and Spain could not make that piracy which was not
piracy by the laws OF nations. And perhaps our gov.
eminent, in agreeing TO such stipulation did not suli.
GENTLY consider that its powers the Liberties of its
own citizens limited.
Notwithstanding this 18th article Of the treaty of
1895, private armed ship bearing letter OF marque
from foreign government at with SPAIN and CON-
manded by American citizen, is not necessarily
prate and could not, without further proof OF piracy, be
lawfully condemned as pirate in any court OF the Un
ted States.
During the war between Spain and her colonies, the
Spanish minister in the United States repeatedly remon.
open violation OF this article OF the treaty Of 1896 The
b.a e