Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-27
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS

The Union, arguing the Ell Dorado question
with the InnItigsuesr insists that firing a
shot over the bow of the ship when moro than
marine league from the shore was an ssser-
ton of the right of search, against which our
statesmen havs so long made opposition, and
says IN tne course Of its remarks:
The instant before the Spanish frigate fred
the hrst shot the two vessels bore 20 each 9TH
er the relations Of perfect equality-each was
under the jurisdiction of its own government
each had perfect right to its position, and
was IN the lawful enjoyment Of rights on the
seas which were in all respects equal. Thus
situated, within cannon shot the Spanish YES.
sci throws a ball ovor the bow of the Ameri-
can stsamer:-the language Of the significant
messenger thus sent was "stand' stop your
engines, and proceed no further until you
have permission from me; the character of the
messenger shows the danger Of disobedience
stand still-submit to be boarded and have
your papers examined, and your right to pro-
coed determined by my judgment
This is the language Of command; it is
the assertion Of superiority Of rights; it is the
nat Of one having authority to issue it and the
right and the power TO exact obedience. 1t is
the language of a superior to a subordinate
1t is the assertion, in the most offensive and
understood by American statesmen, or "the
right OF visitation as understood and claimed
by British statesmen. 1t is not to be regard
ed as the individual act Ofthe Spanish officer;
the message and the command are not to be
understood as directed to the American cap.
tain merely; it is the fGt Of Spain to the
United States; it is the command given by one
sovereign nation to another; it is the assertion
Of right wholly inconsistent with the equality
which existed between them when the com
mand was given; it was, therefore, necessarily
an aggression upon the jurisdiction of the
United states, and an insult to the flag which
proclaimed and guaranteed that jurisdiction. ,
The Union also announces the arrest of ,
Mr.. Thompson, United States vice consul a
the port Of Sagua lie Grands, in the island o
Cuba He is an American, acting as coasala
agent there. His offence, as stated in tn
OHtOH, was IN having up the United State
coat-Of arms at his office, put up there by hi
predecessor. The Un,ow says of this event ::
Occurring upon the heels Of the Ell Dorad
insult, aud involving gross indignity to ou
national honor in tearing down our nstiona
arms and arrestng and imprisoning an Amer
lcan clusen, II shows how critical are our re
iauons with the Spanish Government w
noe lot add that the subject will receiv
prompt attention frsm our Government"
The Sentinel also is indignant against Spai
on account of the Ell Dorado outrage.
The lHtstiigeneer compliments the Judg,
of the District Court Of the United States ft
this District, on the general correctness {
their decisions, as manifested in the name
IN which their decisions, from which appeal
are taken, have been sustained by the Suprem
Court of the United States-saying:
During the last term of the Supreme Cour
OF the United States there were eight cases G
appeal Il om our Circuit Court argued and d.
clded The whole eight cases, We understand
were as fully and ably argued as any cases
the bar, and decided by as elabora ate and wei
considered opinions as any others at the la
term. Seven Of these cases, decided by Judge
Morsell and Dunlop, were affirmed in sve,
particular; and only one point in the eight
case, decided by those Judges and J1da
Cranch, was oyerruled-all the other points
the case being affirmed.
We would not if we could add a word I
testimony so conclusive. 1t will, We are In
formed, compare fayorably with any othe
Court IN the Union''