Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-01
our n1INIsTGR no SPAIN.


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OUR MINISTER TO SPAIN.
The letter we published yesterday, from Mr.
Soule 10 the Diaro EspanoI, newspaper Of
Madrid, sets at rest the story that he had fed
from Madrid because he had been detected in
fomcnting insurrectionary movements in that
capital. This story was invented, we. believe,
by the Madrid correspondents of English and
French journals, and was seized upon by GER
tain editors in this country with that eager
avidity which denoted a wish that our repre-.
sentative at the Spanish Court had been de-
tected in such fragrant and violent conduct as
to compel him to secure his personal safety by
fleeing suddenly tothe frontiers Of France. In
some instances that wish has been clearly ex-
pressed under the impulses of those bitter and
malignant party feelings which corrode the
hearts of some men, and expel every generous
and patriotic-emotion.
A minister Of the United States represents
the republican institutions of the country, and
the ideas and principles on which they are
founded; and, when he is accredited to mon
archical court, it is but reasonable to expect
that he will be misrepresented by monarchical
newspapers. II seems that the very existence
of the United States is looked upon as an act
of presumption by the crowned heads of Eu-
rope. Our rapid progress is regarded with
hatred; and the vast influence which our de-
velopment has given to American ideas Of gov
eminent, has excited their fears as well as their
resentment. England and France, as well as
Spain, are opposed to the annexation Of Cuba
TO the United States and the journals Of those
countries would for that cause alone publish
with eagerness any rumors to bring Mr.. Soule
into discredit and their correspondents would
readily manufacture such rumors from the finn
siest materials. Its but natural, therefore, that
Spanish journals and Madrid correspondents of
English and French journals should malign
Mr.. Soule; and for that very reason, if no other,
the people ofthe United States should discredit
their statements with regard to his position
and his action. But unfortunately, monarchy
has sympathisers in America who feel gratifed
when our republican policy sustains check, or
our representatives abroad prove unequal to
their mission, and who listen with smiling Gre
dulity and give ready currency to any rumor
which represents that either event has taken
place.
1t may be deemed weakness by some per-
sons, yet we confess that we always act under
strong prejudices in favor of American in
terests when they come in conflict with foreign
;n+o~o.ts .xd - f.,-rv &C A,,,ar;o.,, x,c.,tor.
when improper conduct is charged upon them
by foreign writers. We are firm party men, yet
nothing but the clearest proof and the most
cogent arguments can convince us that the
cause Of our country is not just or that one Of
its representatives abroad has been so far inn
plicated in unworthy transactions, no matter
what party administers the government, or what
political principles the representative may enter-
tain. In either case conviction would bring
modification, and would be most reluctantly en-
tertained. But we know that there are men
controlling influential journals with whom pc.
litical differences carry with them oil the ran.
cour Of personal hatred. These men are mostly
selfish and corrupt-regarding politics as a
trade, and viewing every opponent as a per-
sonal enemy. They are, therefore, ever ready
to circulate any disparagement of politica-
adversary, and give form and shape 10 mis-
chievous rumors against him, even If they haz-
ard important public interests, or impair the
credit Of the nation abroad.
But there is another reason for the manner
in which the rumor Of Mr.. Soule's connexion
with the insurrectionary movements at Madrid
and Of his Subsequent fight to France was re-
ceived by a certain portion Of the American
press. II is well known that Mr.. Soule is an
ardent advocate ofthe acquisition of Cuba, and
that he viii use all the influence Of his posi-.
ton 10 aid the acquisition of that island. This,
added to the fact that he is citizen Of a
Southern State, renders him peculiarly odious
to the Abolitionists and distastefuI to those
who do not wish to see the Queen Of the An
TILES added 10 the American Union. Bot Mr..
Soule's letter 10 the Diaro Espanoi completely
extinguishes the rumor which gave these per-
sons so much satisfaction. We could have
wished that Il was written in different style.
II is too theatrical, by far, and would have
carried more weight with il, bad il manifested
less passion and been couched in calmer Ian
guage.
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THE GREAT AUTHOR OF THE KNOW