The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1852-10-19
c . m % . nicsted.


u. roxEs wv. i. c. wishes to b in.
formed 4whsther Spain has . right either
under any existing treaty with this country
OF BY any clause in the International law to
prescribe or punish IN American citizen fbs
IN act done within the United States and
an oct obnoxious to no state or aa'ionsl
lsw." Certainly uot-so long - the
American citizen remains In the State
where the act was done.
w. L. C. would not have asked the ques.
ton il he had been familiar with that clause
in the international law which says.
"Every Sovereign being master Of bic
own dominions, no foreigner can stay in
bis territory without his permission, He
Is not obliged 10 suffer secret enemy whP
is raising disturbances in the state, aud
plotting its ruin, to remain IN bis domiq.
IONS"
Those who participated in the Murder,
Arson and Robbery at CAsDErAs can bear
witness with what impunity the punish-
ment and penalty Of our own laws can be
escaped, and how firmly they felt assured
that they woul. not, in obsdiance to the
requirement of the international law, lie
delivered up to Spain to be delt with accor-
ding to her own justice. In the u S. Fill
busters have nothing to fear. Spain has
never complained Of, or made an attempt to
punish the editors Of the Sun Of New York,
or Delta Of New Orleans, for any thing they
may have published against Cuba, and she
possesses no right to do 50. But does it follow
that either Of those Editors could under the
immunity Of the American Flag, either on
business or pleasure, force themselves in
Cuba, WITHOUT permission Of its authorities
contrary to the principles Of international
law we have cited-either as private citi-
zens or officers of Government.
But it is said Spain SHOULD have first noti-
fec the President that Smith had rendered
himself obnoxious, before ordering off the
Crescent City brering the American Flag.
Suppose Spain had done so, what then p
Had the President any right to say to Smith
you must not visit Cuba on business; or
any authority to punish him if he refused
to obey the order? If the President was
without power to order Smith not to 60 to
Cuba, and could not punish him for going;
Spain was under no obligation to ask the
President to keep him away, or to obtain
permission from the United States to enforce
the first instructive law Of nations-self-
preservation, and be her own Judge Of the
means to be used.
Those who feel authorized to prescrib
the above rule, by. which Spain should
have acted towards the Crescent City, and
Smith who it is said visited Cuba peaceably
on business, deny to the President the right
to interfere with American citizens who
may band together and visit Cuba as emf
mics. And they deny also the right in
Spain to punish those committing acts OF
violence within her own territory.
The whole affair is fit illustration of the
fable of the Wolf and the lamb. The United
States and Spain afe drinking at the same
stream, and although Spain is far below.
Yet she makes the Wafer above muddy
liza British steamer trading to New Or
leans should have as Purser, Thompson the
noted abolitionist is it to be supposed he
would be PERMITTED to enjoy al uninterup-
ted intercourse with our slaves 2 And
should the Captain be notified that ThImp-
sons presence among US was obnoxious, and
being alnopshed not to permit him to re-
turn to New Orleans, and HE Captain of
the R. Navy in defiance Of our admonition
should clam the right under the Immunity
Of the British Flag to force his vessel into
port with THOMPSON on board after having
been warned at the Ealizc not to enter the
river, what protection would the British
Flag afford either the vesse! or Thompson
NONE. Every MAJ with an American
heart would say NONE.
The first impulse Of just indignation and
appreciation Of our national rights, would
prompt the enquiry after driving him from
our shores whether VICTORIA would all
hor the conduct of her Offices in treating
with manifest contempt our authorizes ami
defyins our right to protect ourselves accor-
ding to our own notions Of proprie.. with