Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-20

proximity Of the Island, its lying IN the track
Of trade between some Of our principal cities,
and to the suspicious vigilance with which
foreign intercourse, particularly with.the Uni
ted States, was guarded" they might be re-
peated; and solicitude manifested to effect such
change in the policy Of Spain, that direct
appeal for redress whenever necessary, might
be made to the Captain General but there
was nothing bitter or belligerent in his tone,
nothing which could imply that anything had
occurred, or was likely to occur, to Justify
rupture Of friendly relations So far from this
the message strongly recommended the prompt
settlement Of the claim set up by Spain in the
Amistad case--a claim not only groundless,
but the pertinacious presentation of which is
an affront to the Supreme Court Of this coun-
try, by which the Africans Of the Amistad
were discharged, because they were free men
What has taken place since the 9Th day Of
last December, to change the peaceful attitude
of the Administration into one OF defiance ana
menace towards SPAIN The seizure OF the Black
Warrior by the Cuban officials, for an alleged
violation Of the local commercial regulations.
The most that can be said, is that the regulation
violated is unreasonable, and that due notice
was not given Of the intention to enforce IL.
The damage sustained by this neglect Of notice,
will, we have no doubt be promptly repaired !;
as to the regulation, that is an inconvenience
which we may seek by negotiation to remove,
but we have no right to go to war about 1t.
japan excludes our commerce altogether
France lays onerous restrictions upon 1.-THE
policy Of Spain as to foreign trade with Cuba is
absurd, oppressive on the Colony, and check
upon our commerce with that island But it
is not for this Government to dictate to them
their internal policy. We impose what duties
we please on imports, and the local laws of
South Carolina in regard to colored seamen are
as absurd rs any port-regnlaton OF Havana,
and far more unjustifable. There is nothing
in the affair Of the Black Warrior to authorize
the tone assumed in this message-no mischief
that may not be redressed without resort to
violence
And yet this offence the President uses as q
pretext for arralgning Spain as an habitual
offender, guilty Of continual aggresslons upon
our rights and dignity. What is the explana-
tiou Of conduct 30 extraordinary? The Presi-
dent is not unwilling by quarrel with Spain,
to draw off public attention from the Nebraska
question, so rashly and wantonly thrust upon
the country, and by a show of determined
spirit in our foreign affairs, to win back the
confidence of his party, alicnated by his con-
duct in internal affairs. AS France and Eng
land, too, have employment for all their cner-
gies in the Turco Russian controversy, this il
the hour for pressing the policy Of the Slave
Power in relation to Cuba, and the offence in
the case Of the Black Warrior can be magni-
fed, so "a to mako it pretext for extreme
measures in its enforcement What is this
policy? The maintenance Of Slavery in Cuba,
peaceably, if possible, forcibly and by annexa-
ton, if necessary. Tho portion Of the message
referring to this has been completely over
looked by the Press. Here it is:
ain view of the position of the Island of
Cuba, it's proximity to our coast, the relations
which il must ever bear to our commercial and
other intereas it Is vain to expect that series
Of unfriendly acts infringing our commercial
rights and the adoption of policy threatening
the honor and security Of those States, can long
consist with peaceful relations"
Two classes Of relations are here alluded
to our commercial interests, rela-
tons to our @ofhsr interesisD What are
these! TRe security and perpstuity Of the
Siape Systsm No other interests can be named,
likely to be affected by the proximity Of Cuba
The history Of the action Of our Government
from the time il openly interfered to arrest the
project Of Cuban invasion and emancipation con-
templated by the REPRESENTATIONS Colonies,
when struggling for their Independence, down to
the year 1853, when athe organ " of the Admin
istration commenced q systematic assault upon
the scheme now on foot in Cuba, for the iber-
alton Of tho Emaneipados threatening Spain
with the vengeance Of this country, puts this
beyond doubt. As two classes
Of relations are specified, 80 two classes Of
offences are pointed out a. having been COM
mitted by the Spanish Government ia, Gun
friendly acts, infringing our commercial rights"
tnt hgHrehlOu On tie DMCS WuffIO DclHE in-
cluded in this; secondly, ahe adoption Of
policy fhreatening The honor and security of
these SfafesD
What policy? Not, certainly, commercial i'm
positions; they are embraced in the FIRST class
of grievances and besides bad as they may be,
no one can imagine that they can affect in any
way the security of these States. Our security
could not be affected by the total exclusion Of
our commerce from Cuba. What then, is this
policy, thus darkly suggested in the mes
sage, as a grievance. threatening the honor
and security Of these Siates7
The Afrieanzotion Of Cuba, as tho slave
holders and tho sIaveholding press style it; in
plain and truthful language, the gradual aboh.
tion Of Slavery in Cuba. Yes--in this mes
sage called forth by resolution Of the House
Of Representatives, requesting only informa-