Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-06
MIR. Ex-Consul owen.

AS an act of justice to this gentleman-and
our readers are doubtless curious to know what
he has to say-we publish his letter in full. We
have thought, from the first, that he has had cast
upon him more than his just share of public in
dignaton and censure. 1t appears from his state
ment that, in the matter Of the Cuban prisoners,
his conduct was entirely blameless. We must
confess that we cannot discover what he has done
which he ought not to have done, nor wherein he
has failed to do anything which he ought to have
done for the unfortunate companions of Lopez
The proclamation placed him in most embar-
RAISING and painful position. Officially he could
do nothing for the prisoners-yet as Consul, much
was expected of him; while there was much rea-
son to fear that more active private or personal
exertions on his part would do them more harm
than good, either by irritating the Spanish au-
thorities against himself as sympathizer with
those whom his government had outlawed, or
against the government of the United States, by
exciting suspicion that its private instructions
were inconsistent with its public proclamation
We think it due to Mr.. Owen thus to state the
impressions made upon our mind by his letter
Yet we must add that the tone Of his letter would
seem to indicate degree of Christian forbearance
which we can hardly understand or appreciate.
The Good Book does indeed teach that when smit-
ten on one cheek, we should turn the other for
other blow. But we must confess that we have
never seen an instance where this meek precept
has been SO fully practised. If Mr.. Owens state
ment be true, his superiors not only smote him
on the cheek, but stunned and paralyzed the best
and noblest feelings Of his heart. The conse-
quences of their act called forth general burst
Of indignation which has no parallel in the his
tory Of this country To shield Themselves, they
stabbed at his reputation and character by throw
ing all the responsibility on him, and dismssng
him in disgrace. Yet he deprecates and seems
to shun an issue with them as to the justice aud
propriety Of his removali!! This excessive for
bearance, on the part of q man SO bitterly de-
nounced and SO deeply wronged, is passing
strange. Doubtless, if prompted by that divine
spirit which teaches men to forgive their enc
mics, Mr.. Owen has chosen the wiser part. But
to us, who have our share of human weakness,
il seems either more or less than human.
In reference to his conduct in the Thrasher
case, Mr.. Owen publishes letter of thanks,
addressed to himself by Mr.. Thrasher when about
sailing for Spain. This, in the absence of other
proof, would acquit him of all blame in that
affair, as it amounts TO grateful acknowledge
ment, by Thrasher himself, that Mr. Owen had
done all in his power to aid him, both officially
and personally. simultaneously, however, with
the publication of Mr.. Ovens letter, we have
received letter, addressed by Mrs. Thrasher to
the editors of the New Orleans " Picayune,"
which presents different view of the subject.
We withhold Mrs. Tbrasher'sletter for the present.
wishing first to see Mr.. OWENS reply to it, that
we may publish both together.