Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-13

sPAIH--THE BLACK WARRIOR CASE.
The rumor, whether well founded or not We
cannot undertake to say, that the Spanish cab
met has declined to render the proper redress
for the insult to the American flag, committed
in the case of the Black Warrior, is occupying
q large share ofpublic attention. None, we pre-
sumo, viii deny that the conduct of the Cuban
officials was an outrage that demanded prompt
and ample PREPARATION. None can deny that
we have received many insults and injuries at
the hands of Spain-insults and injuries yet
unatoned for and which nothing but the feeble
ness of her decaying government has pre-.
vented us from visiting with merited punish
ment.
1t is high time that moderation and forbear
ance should cease. 1t is due to the honor and
dignity of this government that proper re.
spect foy and observance Of the rights Of our
citizens and of our country should be exacted
Of her. If weak, it is then her own folly and
not our fault that leads to the insults and out
RACES Of which we complain Her weakness
has long enough been her protection. Nor are
we sure that the opinion does not prevail that
we have been restrained from inficting punish
ment on her by the protection which is said to
be promised her by England and France. It
is not to be doubted that she presumes on aid
from those two governments in the event of
hostilities with us.
Most of the difficulties which have grown up
between our government and Spain have
arisen in or about Cuba; and when the gov
ernor-general is applied to for redress he pleads
the want Of jurisdiction, and refers us to Spain.
This causes embarrassments, perplexities, and
delays, that are tantamount to no settlement or
satisfaction at all Our opinion is, that if
Spain shall refuse to make full reparation for
the Black Warrior outrage, that the people Of
all sections Of this country will demand that
active and efficient measures be taken to en-
force that PREPARATION. The American people
will not longer tolerate forbearance. The point
Of attack, in case Of hostilities, would be Cuba,
and woe be to Spain when that attack shall be
made.
Filibusterism is much talked of and de-
nounced; and in consequence of one flibuster
ing expedition against Cuba, gotten up by
enterprising and adventurous private individ-
uals, and with which the government had no
manner of connexion, the idea Of flibustering
has attached itself inseparably to any move
ment against Cuba. But this we believe, that
no man, however opposed to encroachment on
our neighbors, however ayerse to wars, would
be found willing to submit longer to the ag
gressions Of Spain. We have given Spain no
offence. She asks no reparation, no apology
from us for injuries or insults. All the wrongs
are on her side; and, unless she redresses these
wrongs we will not only be at liberty, but it
will be our bounden duty, to take redress into
our own hands.
No man-not even a Quaker, not the most
bigoted and superannuated fogy-could call
that flibusterism. If we get into difficulties
with Spain, and Cuba should fall into our hands,
Spain will have herself and not us to blame;
and we will have, what everybody would be
glad to have, Cuba.
Far be it from us to seek to infame the
| public mind. Far be it from us to counsel
rashness or injustice. What we mean to say
is this: The injuries we have received should
be repaired; and if Spain refuses to do us JUS
tice, we should take the matter in our own
hands, and then let the consequences be on
the head of the offending party.
i