Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-12-10

We hope to be excused in again referring to the
question Of our difficulties past, present and pros
pective with the Spanish authorities of the Island
of Cuba, SINCE disguise the matter as we may, that
Island occupies and must continue to occupy prom
inent position among the topics which engage the
attention of the American people.
We no friends of Filibusterism. or of any 9th
er species of lawlessness disguised under whatever
name but we cannot conceal from ourselves the fact
that the present position of things in Cuba, affecting
as it does our commerce, and the rights of our cit
zens is so anomalous in its character, and well
calculated to stir up the angry feelings of our popu-
aton, as to render heightened existence of such
stale of affairs practicable impossibity; and no
administration could assent to it, and hope to receive
the countenance and support OF the people 1t would
be preposterous to expect it.
On receiving the Presidents Message, every per-
son naturally turned first to that portion of it having
reference to the late Cuban difficulties. How far
that reference is satisfactory, is another question
and one which we do not propose to discuss at this
time but thing at least is certain, and that is.
that the President, disposed he has apparent
~ been, to take part against Purser Smith and Mr..
Law, even to demanding the removal of the former,
and withdrawing the mails from the steamers of the
latter is forced to state that the action of the Cap
tain General in refusing to allow passengers and the
mail to be landed in certain cases. has been s. for
reason which does not furnish in the opinion of this
government, even good presumptiye ground for
such prohibition and has been made the sub ject
of serious remonstrance at Madrid.n Now, here is
the case of mere Satrap of Spain, in distant de-
tendency, violating the rights secured by treaty to
the and the citizens of the United States.
and perssting in his wrong, and this wrong submit
ted to by the United States Government until re-
monstrance can be made to the Court of Madrid,
WHILE in the meantime, commerce is interrupted,
and our flag insulted by Spanish colonial Cover
nor who, because he is clothed with power to
treat with foreign governments and is not in any
degree under the control of the Spanish Minister at
Washington, seems to consider himself, and to be
considered by Mr. Fillmore totally Irresponsible and
at full liberty to do as he pleases. The Governor
General of Cuba certainly appears to possess more
power than the Government by which he is deputed,
since he can do things without fear of resistance
even remonstrance, which would not be submitted to
for an hour done directly by the Spanish Govern
ment
To say that men like Canedo can, at any time, act
in the arbitrary and capricious manner which he has
QOno IN the case or FufSer Nmltn anu Cne various
mail steamers which have been prevented from land
ing their mails and passengers, and that these
wrongs will be patiently submitted to by the United
States in each case of the kind. until it can be
male the subject of serious remonstrance at Ma
drid, would be to say what one who will look at
the matter coolly will believe 1t is true that Cane
do has the of his ways, and now says that
Purser Smiths denial on oath of the charges alleged
against him is perfectly satisfactory. and that the
mails, passengers etc, be landed formerly but
does this tardy acknowledgment atone for the insult
! and injury which have already been sustained or
does it afford any guarantee against similar occur
| rences in the future.
How many such affairs would it take to rouse a
feeling in the United States that could be repress
ed, and how often and how long would our people
submit to the arbitrary caprices Of an irresponsible
Captain General until serious remonstrance could
be made at Madrid, and the pleasure of the home
of Spain be ascertained in the premises
A few such affairs would make Filibusters by the
thousands and tens of thousands, and place beyond
the power of Spain to retain the Island, of any
governments guarantee its possession to her. She
must adopt some other system if she would retain
her hold upon the gem of the Antilles"
| Hon. William II. King.