The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-03


The readers OF this journal know that when the
wretched expedition OF Lopez prominent topic OF
discussion by the public press, we frequently animad-
veried upon the official conduct Of this gentleman in
terms expressing both deep regret and severe CEN
But held at the time. that the far greater
fault lay with the administration. and particularly in the
character and terms OF the proclamation which il issued
in regard to the expedition.
Mr.. Owen has published in the National Ineliigsn-
OF the LIST instant long letter in defence OF his
courses and deem il TO be bat fair and just that II
should appear in columns, We therefore copy il in
another part OF our sheet,
Two points in this paper will arrest the attention OF
our readers
ls II establishes beyond controversy, and in the OH
cal language OF Concha himself that the judgment OF
the Cuban authorities. the Presidents proclamation ex-
pressly disallowed any interference, official other IN
behalf OF the prisoners, with view 10 mitigate their
DOOM II appears clearly that Concha, in peremptoriy
forbidding any and all such interference by Mr. Owen,
planted himself formally if mot solely, upon the ground
that government, by its solemn proclamation had
waived all the rights OF the prisoners, and aban-
doned them to their fate, whatever might be. We be-
eve that this most lamenabe proceeding the part OF
our administration is without parallel IN the history OF
any other civilized government We have yet 10 hear
OF any single in which any civilized naton-strong
weak, high spirited humble-ever before, by a
solemn official act, in advance, deprived any portion OF its
citizens, medtatng grave offence against foreign
power, OF the poor rights and privileges secured by law
and treaty 10 them offenders The Presidents Cuban
proclamation and the effects of il constitute epoch in
diplomatic history which, TO us, is as new as il is
lamentabe.
81 We mark with regret the fact that Mr. Owen says
nothing of Mr. Thrashers letter OF appeal 10 the govern
people of the United States. which is positively
stated to have been addressed by him in his prison Mr.
Consul Owen for transmission the Department of State
to have been seen in MIR. Ovens hands on the 23d Of
November last, and which, though the Prometheus
sailed from Havana the Goth and arrived at New York
the st of December had not been received at the De-
partment Of State when Mr. Webster wrote his despatch
the 18th of December in relation 10 Mr. Thrashers case
What is the explanation of this Did Mr. Owen forward
the paper3 If So what has become OF it, II not, why
was il held back at a moment when Mr.. Thrasher's de
poraton to the Spanish mines might hang-and probably
dl hang-in no small upon lis prompt reception
at the Department of State
We write in no spirit OF hostility 10 Mr.. Owen. We
believe that the OF the administration made his
position very difficult Sterny his conduct has
been condemned by the American people, we are not
and have been, entirely clear that the adnnisya
has any right to censure him for anything he did OF
failed 10 do in the of the Lopez prisoners We
think, in that part Of the sad case. il was their own
proclamation which parayzed him. But il is our duty
to say that, in the of Mr. Thrasber, be now ap.
pears to have utterly failed of his official duty in al leas
one point of the grayest importance.