The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-13
The London .T,m..,, on cub,.

The article copied from the London Times
of late date cannot fail to arrest attention. 1t
relates to Cuba, the conduct Of the Captain
General, and the probable policy of France and
England in the event of war between this
country and Spain The treatment of the Cor
nela and the Crescent City is justified on the
ground of international law, and this country
is assured that its acquisition of Cuba will in
volve conflict with the leading European
powers as well as with Spain.
The tone of the Times is too amusing to be
offensive. 1t evlnces profound conviction
of lis mission as a teacher of morals and law TO
the United States and all the world beside,
that one is unable to take offence at the patron
izing dictatorial air with which it dspenses its
advice. Its eXtravagant selfsufliclency explains
if it does not mitigate the assumption of pecu-
liar righteousness and con trolling power which
runs through every paragraph Of the article in
question. The Times either believes, or af
fects to believe, that Britain preserves her
honor nnsulled in her intercourse with weaker
nations, and is therefore entitled to exercise
the functions of censor and Judge to countries
that have not attained TO her standard of per-
lection. We, who have not forgotten her ca
yeer upon this continent, and who have watched
her wanton aggressons in every quarter of the
globe where her dag doals. or her policy is
felt, cannot resist the conclusion that of all
powers she is least entitled to pronounce judg-
ment upon the alleged 'lusts and caprices' of
the American people.
The Times is ignorant of the facts bearing
directly upon the question of which it writes,
or, for purpose, it grossly misrepresents them.
The attempt to portray the Lone Star organiza-
ton one of the most potent institutions of
this country, and to identify the people as a
whole with schemes of filbustersm and plum
der, betrays utter ignorance of public feeling,
and OF the real character and extent of all the
movements against Cuba that have yet been
witnessed on this side of the Atlantic The
silly buster Of a few notorious prints, and the
exaggerated represen tations Of correspondents
who are required to minister weekly to the
Leviathan's appetite for marvels, are the
only data for the structures we are called
upon to print. To receive them as crlteria
Of public principle in the United States
is to commit blunder as palpabe as that
of some OF our contemporaries when they
regard the Times as the reflex of sentiments
cherished by the masses of England. The
course of Mr.. FILLMoRE's Administration and
the strong current Of Unserva,ism-properIy
understood-which pervades journals identified
with large proportion of both the great polti-
cal parties, afford the best answer to the libel
lous averments of the Times
With regard to the defence set up in behalf
of the recent action of the Captain General Of
Cuba, we will only remark that it is not the
kind of defence most calculated to perpetuate
peaceful relations with the United States The
right To rifle the letter bags of the Cornelia,
and to carry her captain prisoner on shore,
may be- sanctioned by the orthodox version Of
international law. The exclusion of the Cres-
cent City the grounds alleged may not be
at variance with the existing treaties between
this country and Spain. But under any view
Of the case, both occurrences displayed a need
lessly bad spirit the part of the Captain
General; they were singularly impoiitic; and
they exhibited lack of generosity towards
Government which has uniformly exerted it
powers to secure a fulflment Of treaty obliga
lions. Grant for the sake of the argument tina
in both instances the Captain General acted il
strict accordance with law. The question re
mains, whether his objects were best promoted
by line Of conduct which could not be other
wise than offensive to the pride Of the United
States We think-to use the most charitable
pression-that he committed a serious mis-
take.
The mistake of the Captain General in con
founding harshness with safety was not greater