Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-08-11
The San Juan Affair.

The Whig press have habitually manifested such
alacrty in condemning the conduct of our govern
ment in its controversies with other Powers, that
their denunciaton of the Administration for the re-
cent occurrence at San Juan will be taken by the
public mere outburst of party spleen and unpa-
triotc impulse. From the papers submitted to Con-
gress by the President in explanation of the affair,
the impartial mind will deduce this double conclu-
sion, first that the Administration not response
bic for the bombardment of San JUAN and secondly,
that the act itself is not deserving of censure.
The instructions of the government to Commander
Holins were dictated by Secretary Dobbin with the
caution characteristic of the man, and with a pre-
clslon OF terms which excludes every inference Of
violent purpose. While directing Commander Hol
Inns to demand reparaton and apology for outrages
upon our citizens and insults 10 government, Mr.
Dobbn anxiously and carefully nculcated the utmost
torbearance and cemency which the emergency
would warrant It is perfectly clear that be did not
contemplate resort 10 such an extremity of vio-
ience, much less advise and authorize it in advance
In the same spirit, the Secretary of State prepared
his instructions to the United States Consul at San
Juan. Of all the in this country, MIR. Marcy is
the least liable 10 be misled by an impulse of passion,
the least likely TO act upon imperfect information,
and The least disposed to measures of unnecessary
violence. His Instructions therefore, TO MIR. Fabens
are quite as calm and cautious as the Instructions of
Mr. Dobbln to commander Hollins, and as little sig
nlhcant of predispositon to extreme measures
They submit the whole case to ConsulUF abens, with
the expression of earnest desire that the difficulty
may be adjusted peaceably and without resort to
measures of coercion
In acqutting the Administration of all responsible
ity for the destruction of San Juan, must not be
understood 10 imply the least censure of the act or
of the conduct of the gallant commander of the Cy
ane On the contrary, we maintain that the wrongs
and lndignies inflicted upon our citizens and the
person OF our Minister not only justified but deman-
ded signal Chastisement in the event of refusal
of apology and reparation. The recital of these
wrongs and indignities by Mr. Borand and Mr. Fa-
bens with the corroboratve statement of other Amer
lean citizens, and the nsoen refusal of the authori-
ties of San Juan to make attonement for their mis-
conduct establish a case which conclusivey justi
ies the severe punishment inflicted by the Cyane.
San Juan another Barrataria, a den of thieves
and MURDERS who had congregated there from all
quarters of the globe, with the hope of securely prac
Using their felonies in place exempt from the do
minion of law Stimulated by British influence, they
have been preying upon the property of American
citizens for years, in conemptuous defiance of the
menaces OF the American government When they
arrested an American Minister and inflicted violence
upon his person, they filled the of their ni-
quities and wanonly provoked the retrbution which
they suffered. If the government had neglected to
aVenge the insult and to protect the rights of its ci
tlZens II would have forfeited all authority and re.
spect in the eyes of the world The honor of the
American flag has been sufficiently insuted in the
waters of this continent, and rejoice that it has
been eyenged and vindicated at last with becoming
spirit. While extending all proper indulgence to
the contumacious outlaws of San Juan, Commander
Hons resented the interpostion of the British Off
Ger In a manner which shows his pluck, and which
will excite the admiration of his countrymen The
insolent boast of Nelson's day. that one British sea-
men could whip tive Frenchmen, was retaliated upon
Leutenat Jolly with CALLING sarcasm, when Comman-
der Hollins politely regretted that the force of the
Bermuda not doubly equal that of the Cyanen
1t is in this spirit that an American officer should
speak even to the " mistress of the seas n-Rich-
mond Enquirer.