Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-03-17
The Cuba Business.

Not even the fondest devotee of peace and for
bearance can longer retain the belief that the exist
ing arrangements in Cuba, rather our relations
with the Spanish authorities there continue to be
tolerated by this country. The constant Interrupt
tions to commerce-the vexatious Interference with
our vessels in the port of Havana and all the
beess annoyances perpetrated under the sanction of
an irresponsible Captain General, have accumulated
and are accommodating mass of complaint and exas-
peration which demand settlement of such char
acer as will preclude the possibility of their
renee in future.
The unreasonable system of sending out Captains
General 10 Cuba and Porto Rico. vested with al! the
power for mischief of Supreme authority, yet at
the same time refusing to clothe them with cores
pondng power of granting redress or maintaining
diplomatic intercourse in calling for demand
for such redress part. is one which the United
States cannot permanently admit Of AS in the le
cent case of the Black Warrior, so in Others after
the evil is done and over, perhaps tardy dsa-
vowal may be obtained from the home government
of Spain, while in the meantime the outrage and loss
have been submitted to. it may be for months and
the government and people of the United States been
braved by petty satrap clothed with little brief
authority.
Time and again diplomatic agents at the Court
of Madrid have been instructed to urge upon the
Spanish government the necessity of clothing It's
agents in the West Indies with diplomatic functions,
but so Tar without effect. The cumbersome system
of an appeal to the home government has become to-
tally inadequate TO the requirements OF the case,
growing out of urIapidly extending intercourse with
Cuba. If Captains General are to be clothed with
the extensive powers Of evil and annoyance they must
also be held directly ard Immediately amenable.
The prospect of direct communication between
this port and Havana impa.ts to this subject more
immediate Importance in the eyes of the citizens of
Wilmington, and its early and satisfactory adjust
ment is earnestly looked for
| A feeble, decaying and corrupt home government,
already blot on the face of Europe must not long
er be allowed through lis distant satrap<, to outrage
the commerce and set at nought the people AMI gov
eminent of the United States. Not even the guaran
tees of England and France, of any ether power
can sustain this injustice nor render the American
people willing TO submit 10 it.
The exact cou Sc which will be pursued by the
administration e resident Pierce we cannot pretend
to say we f,=l onfdent that it will be such is
required for the protection of the interests and honor
of the country.
If the proper relations with the Captans-General
cannot be established and the proper redress peace
fully accorded the same things must be obtained in
another way.
OF course there are two versions of the difficulty
with regard TO the Black Warrior, and it is probable
that the authorities at Havana will urge in justfca
ton of their summary proceedings, violation the
part of some parties connected with that vessel of
the revenue laws of the Island or the por regulations
OF Havana Such plea believe will be found
mere sham, or, at best. totally insufficient TO justify
the arbitrary and tyranical course adopted Never