The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-11
The San .Enan AGnir.

The Wing press have habituay manifested such
ulacry in condemning the conduct Of our govern
ment in its controversies with other Powers, that
their denunciations Of the Administration for the
recent occurrence at San Juan will be taken by
the public outburst Of party spleen and
unpatriotc impulse. From the papers submitted
to Congress by the President in explanation Of the
affair, the impartial mind will deduce this double
conclusion, first that the dmini stration are not
responsible for the bomhardment Of San Juan, and
secondly, that the act itself IS not derservng of
censure.
The instructions of the government to Comman-
der Hons, were dictated by Secretary Dobbn
with the caution characteristic Of the man, and
with precision Of terms which excludes every
inference of violent purpose. While directing
Commander Hollins to demand PREPARATION and
apology for outrages upon citizens and insults
to our government, MIR. Dobbin anXiously and
carefully inculcated the utmost forbearance and
clemency which the emergency would warrant
1t is perfectly clear that he did not contemplate
resort to such an extremity of violence, much less
advise and authorize it in advance. In The same
spirit, the Secretary of State prepared his nstruc
tons to the United States Consul at San Juan
OF all the men in this country, Mr.. Marcy is the
least liable to be misled by an impulse of passion,
the least likely 10 act upon imperfect information,
and the leas: disposed TO measures of unnecessary
violence. His instructions, there ore, TO Mr. Fabens
are quite as calm and cautious as the instructions
Of Mr.. DoDbin to commander Rollins, and as little
significant of pre- disposition TO extreme measures.
They submit the whole TO Consul Fabens,
with the expression of an earnest desire that the
difficulty may be adjusted peaceaby and without
resort 10 measures OF coercion.
In Acquiring the Administration Of all RESPONSE
biIitv for the destruction Of San Juan, we must not
be understood to imply the least censure OF the
act or Of the conduct OF the gallant commander Of
the Cvane. On the contrary maintain that
the wrongs and indgnities inflicted upon our Gill
and the person Of our Minister, not only
justified but demanded signal chastlsemcnt in
the event of a refusal of apology and PREPARATION.
The recital of these wrongs and indigntes by
Mr.. Rorand and Mr.. Fabens with the corrobora-
tive statement Of other American citizens, and the
insolent refusal of the authorizes Of San Juan to
make atonement for their misconduct, establish
case which conclosively justices the severe punish
ment inflicted by the Cyane.
San Juan another Barrataria, den of
thieves and murderers, who had congregated there
from all quarters of the globe, with the hope of
securely practising their leIonies in place ex-
Eempt from the dominion of law. Stimulated by
British influence, they have been preying upon the
property OF American citizens for years in con.
temptuous defiance of the menaces of the Ameri-
can government. When they arrested an Amerl-
they filled the measure Of their iniquities and
wan'ony provoked the retribution which they
suffered. If the government had neglected TO
avenge the insult, and TO protect the rights Of its
citizens, it would have forfeited all authority and
respect in the eyes OF the world. The honor OF
the American flag has been sufficiently insuIied
in the waters of this continent and rejoice that
it has been avenged and vindicated at last with
becoming spirit. While extending all proper in
diligence to the contumacious outlaws of San Juan,
Commander Hollins resented the interposi:ion Of
the British officer in a manner which shows his
pluck, and which will excite the admiration of his
counrymen. The insolent boast Of Nelson's day,
that one British could whip two French
men. wRs realiated upon Lieutenant jolly with
CALLING sarcasm, when Commander Hollins politely
regretted that the force of the Bermuda not
"doubly equal that Of the Cyanc." 1t is in this
spirit that an American officer should speak even
10 the 'mistress of The seHs.''
APPOINTMENT. SAMUEL II. Montgomery, of