The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-09

A Wrong Policy.

When the repeated oulIages committed on American
vessels by the authorities at Havana taken into view
IT is matter OF establishment that any journals can be
found in this country bold and reckless enough to
pouse the Spanish side of the controversy aud denounoe
the government for its efforts protect the national flag
and the lives and property which il floats But tits
matter OF especial surprise when wing journals
which profess 10 have the welfare and interests of the
commercial classes under their particular guardianship
pursuing course which must inevitably tend TO encour
age and invite repetition OF like attacks upon American
interests in the port OF Havana. For years the officials
OF the isle OF Cuba TO have been acting in concert
and under instructions with regard TO a system of annoy
ances upon Long previous TO the Lopez
petition this had been pursued and open and fla
grant had become that illusions to the necessity OF gov
ernmenta interference had appeared in the daily journals
of some OF Atlantic States In the minds oil southern
statesmen the motive foundation for this attack was
traced 10 the Vaccinations OF the English govern
while others held il TO be but part Of the old feelings
against republicansm which exist in all monachies AT
that time trade with Havana direct, and had not
the impetus which has since been given TO by the
sit ofmechandse from the Atlantic States our possess
sons in The Pacific Since California opened her golden
veins. and attracted both population and commerce
that region. Havana has become Of the greatest interest
port in raitx and harbor is the constant resort
| OF American vessels OF all classes. ~
| But this increase Of communication with Havana has
been attended with still open and aggravated an
noyanees upon citizens and their property Port reg
ulatlons have been established wanting both precedent
and justice for their supports and when these would not
afford the pretext for attacking American interests the
officials have hesated to take the law in theft own
| h.n anio I'd
sells have been detained without cause the private papers
OF merchants broken open, and in instances de-
sroyed, 10 The great and irreparable injury of owners
vessels driven from the harbor without even allowing
them TO make the necessary preparations for voyage
another portland all this in the face OF protests against
such acts OF the most plain and forcibe character When
complaint is made to the governorgeneral OF the island,
the matter must he referred 10 the home government
Madrid. When the case is represented to the Queens
Minister of Foreign Affairs in old Spain, the answer is
that the papers in each particular, have not been
ceived from the governor general of The island and
hence nothing be accomplished. All these may be
merely the suberfuges esorted by the Minister OF For.
egn Affairs and the governor general TO delay action,
and still further embarrass and delay that justice which is
demanded But if il is not. the effect OF such procrasl.
nation is equally fatal 10 the interests of such OF our mer-
chants have had their property destroyed its value
materially diminished by the illegal acts OF the officials
at Havana.
The last outrage on the Black Warrior was of such an
aggravated nature TO mercantile community
to the importance OF having action from the gov
eminent that will protect their rights and property in the
future Millions of dollars worth OF goods must yearly
be subjected the regulations of that port and hence
the necessity that proper regard for the rights of others
should be enforced in the governing and ruling power
From all of the Atlantic seapors, well those OF the
Pacific, protests against the action of the Spanish gov
eminent, well requests for the interference OF our
own. to protect the property and rights of our citizens
have been forwarded TO Washington, and laid before lbe
President and his cabinet These papers present, in
plain, orcble terms, the injuries that have been inflicted
American trade and commerce by the action OF the
authorities at Havana, enumeraie the effect continu-
OF such a must have the prosperity of the
country, and close BY invoking immediate and effective
action By the government with view to their abate-
ment
Upon the statement OF facts from the American consul
Havana and The eouobora,ve evidence Of the captain
OF the Black Warrior the government proceeded 10 act
upon the requests OF the peoples and yet how has that
action been responded to by the wing journals, which
profess TO represent the commercial cassesi Not the
eas, assistance has been rendered the government but,
on the contrary they have joined with the abo,ons,s
In malgnng the motives OF the President and his advi.
sers, and impeding far possible all action in regard
to the matter All their professions OF attachment TO the
interests OF the commercial classes were forgotten when
an opportunity occurred for attack upon democratic
President and bis administration. The facts in the case
either entirely suppressed distorted and coored
by pejsdiee 10 aid the Spanish government rather
oar When the President recommended prompt.
stringent action the best Of obtaining redress
for The past and security for The future the cry OF ibus
erng was raised, and popular prejudice invoked agans,
all attempts to settle the difficulty basis alike honor.
able 10 The nation and satisfactory the persons aggreved
Even alter The fsets have become matters of undspuied
history, reacon Of The alsehoods pom appes
In those journals which sent them forth, nor ATE they
Wiling TO do justice TO those persons whose property has
BEEN and still s wroosuy IN possession OF the aulhor.
ties at Hsvaoa
These are iact which should be pondered The com.
nerc'al community when they ssk Tor the assistance Of
the national government IN protecting their rights ard
properly ifom tie lysnncal exscliohs Of the spanish
government Is it their policy 10 have he efforts Of the
government ihvsrted, especially when those Efforts are
designed for their welfare Are they willing hat ,our
mails belonging TO political party shall BE- read in The
antechsmbef Of The at Madrid ia which the lie /.
/ piV II, "A. al. D..