The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-03-13
[From the Albany Register.
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.

tFrom the Albany Register.
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.
There is but one opinion among men o.
all parties in relation to the course of the
present Administration, in its management
Of our foreign and domestic affairs. 1t.
every act-and particularly those parta.
king of partizan political character, may
not receive the appreciation Of all: but its
general policy is such as to commend it to
the favorable consideration Of the Ameri-
can people. 1t has been emf hently sue
cessful in continuing and ST tfengthenina
our pacific relations with foreign govern
ments-in settling difficulties, which at
various times have threatened to involve
us in serious embarrassment, not actual
conflict. A firm, prudent, end conciliatory
line of action has been pursued-insisting
upon our own rights, but at the same time
recognizing the rights of others-doing
Justice to all, submitting to injury from
none.
The present Administration came into
power, at a time of great excitement in all
parts of the Union. The acquisition Of
the :erritoria! possessions consequent up
on the Mexican war, brought with it a
renewal of agitation upon question of
great interest, which has divided the coun-
try into sectional parties ever since the
formation Of the government. But this
has been settled, if not to the satisfaction
of all, yet such manner as to COM
mand the acquiescence Of every good and
patriotic citizen. Agitation has ceased,
and fraternal relations have been rc-es-
tablished, and have taken the place of EN-
bittered hatred and angry strife. This
result has been secured through the pa
triotism and consummate ability with
which the ship of State has been naviga-
ted by her able and experienced officers.
A weak or vascillating Administration
would have plunged the country into diff
ficulties almost inextricable-would have
increased the estrangement and widened
the breach between the antagonistic Sec
tions. But, fortunately for the country,
it had President at the head of its af-
fairs equal to the emergency, and sur
rounded by one of the strongest and ablest
Cabinets that have filled the chairs Of
State since the organization Of the gov
ernment.
Our attention has again been called TO
the eminent success which has marked
the policy of the present Administration,
by the announcement of the release of
Mr.. Thrasher, by the Spanish government.
The Lopez expedition, fitted out upon our
shores, and making descent upon the ter
ritory of friendly power, had well nigh
compromised our neutrality. The Span
ish government was disposed to look up
on the invasion as an outrage which we
might and should have prevented. Its
disastrous results involved large num-
Der of our citizens, who were captured
and condemned for the piracy. Some un-
derwent summary execution. Others
were sentenced to long Imprisonment
in the deadly mines of Spain. The sum-
mary and sanguinary proceedings of the
Cuban authorities created much angry
excitement among portion Of our peo-
pie, who were loud in their demands for
vengeance. They seemed to forget that
the first wrong came from our shores
that from those protesting to be American
citizens, had proceeded the first violation
of international law and the treaties ex-
isting between the two countries. Our
government was called upon to interpose
force for the protection of those who
had thus forfeited their rights Of citizen
ship, by acts Of murder and piracy upon
the territory of a nation with which we
were at peace. The President and his
advisers were thus placed in delicate
position. Less prudence and considera-
ton in the management Of the affair might
have involved us in a war, and have sealed
the fate of the unfortunate prisoners as
pronounced by the Cuban courts. But
looking upon the case in all its phases
recognizing the rights of Spain as well
as those of our citizens, line of policy
was adopted that has produced the most
happy results. The prisoners were lib
Grated and friendly relations restored be-
tween the two countries.
The case of Mr.. THRAsHER involved
the same principles but more general
sympathy was awakened in his behalf -
many were clamorous, and insisted that
our government should assume hostile
attitude, and demand his release, even at
the cannon's mouth. But the same wise
and conciliatory course was pursued, and
whatever may have been the merits of the
case originally, Mr.. THRAsHER, through
the efforts of the President and Secretary
of State, has been pardoned and restored
to liberty. Partizan journals opposed to
the Administration, and those in the in
terest of the Fillibusters, had made Mr..
THRAsHER's case an especial point of at
tack upon the Administration. But how
noble the triumph Of its peaceful policy,
how complete its vindication from all the
charges which have been urged against il
in this behalf. In what a commanding
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