Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-10
The Game OF the Administration.

The Game OF the ADMINISTRATION
1t has been perfectly apparent from the edi-
torials Of the Washington Union, for some time
past that the administration had resolved to
make another desperate effort to retrieve its
fallen fortunes, by fomenting the prejudices
and inhaming the passions of the American
mind, towards that waning and despicabe
power, which Expresses its colonies on this
continent That the Spanish government en-
tertains hostile feelings towards this expand
| ing country, and its noble institutions, is
point beyond dispute. So also do all dcspotic
and monarchicd governments. That Spain has
terrible account to settle at no distant day,
| with those whom it has oppressed, is as GER
tain as that the principles of free government
are advancing with steady pace throughout
the civilized world.
| 1t is likewise true, that there are grounds OF
serious complaint against that Power, on the
part ofthe United States, and that she has per-
mitted outrages upon American rights, which,
if continued under her authority, will, in the
end result in conflict Of arms between the
two nations.
But whilst this nation has causes of COM
plant against Spain, and whilst humanity in
her own domains is suffering from her tyran-
ny, it must be remembered that Spain has been
greatly, aye previously aggravated, by repeat
cd attempts on the part of American citizens to
overthrow her power and authority in the
Island of Cuba And although our govern
ment has publicly frowned upon all attempts
by our citizens, thus to interfere with her
power and authority in that Island, yet, our
sympathy for the suffering Cubans has been so
often and so universally manifested through
our public presses, and the speeches of our
public men, that Spain is thoroughly convinced
our government not only participates in that
sympathy, but has even winked at private
efforts to revolutionize Cuba.
From these causes, added to the well known
fact, that American citizens largely contributed
in materials and money, to the overthrow Of
the Spanish power in the present South Ameri-
can republics Spain naturally looks upon the
i United States, with those feelings which lie at
the bottom of her recent interferences with
American rights. When we reflect upon these
natural causes for SPANS hostility towards the
United States, and especially when we consider
her present crippled, distracted, and degraded
condition, we are not disposed to encourage our
own imbecile and almost defunct administra-
ton, in its efforts to divert public attention
from their own folly and recklessness, to the
imputed outrages or crimes of the Spanish
government We would treat Spain with
magninimity, and with all reasonable forbear-
ance.
We would not tamely submit to wrongs and
insults from any Power; but we would, in es-
timating the motives by which Spain has been
influenced, put the question to ourselves, and
answer it with candor, ,ohether our own pso-
pie have not in the past-aye, and recently
| themselves created those sentiments Of enmity
in which these wrongs and insults had their
origins If it should be found that our own
people were to any extent responsible for that
enmity which Spain bears towards us, we would,
in demanding an adjustment, make proper al
| lowances therefor.
We are led TO these reflections from peru
sal Of the leading article in the Union Of last
Sunday morning in which that press seeks to
create the impression that the government and
colonial agents Of Spain " are, If possible, more
than ever hostile to this Confederacy"
II may, or it may not happen, that Spain
will adopt system Of measures with reference
to Cuba and emancipation, demanding our
prompt attention, and possibly our interference.
Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof"
We may say, however, in all candor, that IL
the sectional interests or the peculiar institu-
tons Of the South, should be endangered from
Spanish policy, within the term Of the present
administration, there win be but little hope Of
security to either, from any action Of this sd-
ministration. When 1t Is considered that the
Forneyites now in power, used all their efforts
to prevent the ascendency Of the South in Kan
sas, (pithout success , when II is considered
that the Forneyites aided in the election Of
William H. Seward to the Senate; and when il
is remembered that they resolved in conven.
ton at Columbus Ohio, on the 9th Of January
last to " eradicate" slavery, we may safely pre-
dict, that they would not arrest the progress Of
abolitionism in Cuba, were Spain to adopt this
policy.
As some Of our readers may have forgotten
the resolution adopted by the administration
Democrats in Ohio, as above stated, we here
again insert II, to wit:
"Resolved, That the people Of Ohio NOW, As
THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE, look upon slavery as an
| evil and unfavorabe TO the development Of the
spirit and practical benefit Of free institutions and
that, entertaining these sentiments they will AT
ALL T1NEs feel Il TO be their duty TO USE ALL row
ER CLEARLY OWEN Br THE TERMS or THE NATIONAL
COMPACT, to prevent its increase, TO mitigate, and
FINALLY TO ERADICATE ITS Evils"
II may not be amiss at this point to refer
to Webster's dictionary for the meaning Of the
word eradicate"
The definitions by Webster arc as follow,
to wit:
ITO pull up the roots, or by the roots; TO de.
stroy anything that grows; to e1tirpate TO de-
stroy the roots that the plant will not be repro
duced to destroy thoroughly"
Now IL can hardly be supposed that nm ad.