The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1852-10-13
Com m u nicated.



| "rhe jurisdiction Of nation, within it's
own territory is exclusive and absolute
1t is susceptible Of no limitation not inn
posed by itself Any restriction, deriving
vai''dity from an External scourse would i'm
ply termination Of its sovereignty to the
extent in that powerswhich could impose
such restriction.
All exceptions to the full and complete
power Of p nation within its own territories
must be traced up TO the consent of the ma
ton itself.
A nation would justly be considered
as violating its faith, although not express
ly plighted, Which suddenly and withomt pre-
rions yotire, exercise its territorial power
in manner not consonant to the usages and
received obligations Of the civilized world"
Chief Justice MARSHALL in the case of the
Schooner Exchange ~. McFaddon ct al.
7, Chranch 1l6.
Apply the principles enumerated to the
! Cresent-Capt Porter is timely notified
that his vessel will not be PERMITTED to re.
turn again into the Port of Havana, having
on board certain man by the name of
Smith-under the immunity OF the Ameri.
can Flag, Capt. Porter claims the privilege
of treating with contempt an acknowledged
right Of SPAIN. Was the indignity and
insult to the AMERICAN FLAG, the act
of Capt. Porter, OF that 9th Captain Gen
esa of Cuba
Did not Capt. Porter intend an insult and
indignity to the sovereign rights of Spain
and thereby compromt the dignity of the
AMERICAN FLAG, and contemn the
honor of his own country
We publish the foregoing because it is
the very antipodes of public opinion. The
public mind like the mind of the individ.
ual is too apt to become heated with excite
ment and give expression to sentiments av-
ersed to reason.
The Press is, o, should be, the true expon- !
ent Of public sentiment; yet should endeav-
or to SO far preserve its own free will. as
not to be led away by the first breath of
every whirl- wind OF excitement. 1t should
be ready and willing at all times to let
every citizen be heard, and his influence
felt, upon every question of national honor
W. have ever been ready and willing to do
SO,
We do not marvel at our correspondents
taking the stand he does with regard to the |
insult so recently offered to the American
Flag.
We must honestly confess that we have
been awaiting III earnest anticipation, tina;
something might be done by the Spanish
authorities in Cuba, to call down the ven
eence OF our government upon them. We
argue upon broad principals, that 10 such !
arbitrary despotism can exist long land
should mott in close proximity to the United
States: The spirit and genius of Republi.
can institutions must sweep this continent
clear Of the worn out notion that imam is
not capable of self government And
though it be in direct opposition to the
spirit of our institutions to aid our neigh.
bors in then struggle for liberty, yet ''the
people," is the government and the law is
an instrument of their own will to be led
and not to lead international law is some
thing We take it, that has been created ex-
pressly for Diplomatists and Ministers to
talk about for passtime and amusement.-
We cannot see the period in history, when
they have been called to settle questions of
nationol honor. Special treaties are to be
regarded, until the terms and conditions
have once been violated. From the evi.
dence before us; interesting indeed will be
The logic to prove that an insult has not
been offered to the United States, for which
The Court of Spain should offer an apolopv.
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