The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-05
CUBA AND THE FILIBUsTERs.

1t is now admitted that the Captain General
of Cuba had sufficient grounds for the severe
precaution he lately took against filibustering
expedition from this country. He must have
had timely notice of its preparation and formi
dable character. How many were implicated
known to the Public here, but rumor has as
signed prominent place to General Quitman
Under the circumstances, no one can wonder
at the vigilance and severity of General Concha
1t was amidst the excitement and alarm occa.
stoned by the apprehended filibustering expe-
dition, that the Ell Dorado, approaching the
port of Havana in the night, was brought to
and examined by Spanish frigate, stationed
as a sentinel, to watch out for intruders The
inviolability of the American flag, we believe
in, nor would we for one moment admit the
claim, on the part of Spain, or any other Pow
er, to search our vessels. In ordinary times,
the conduct of the Spaniard would have been
inexcusable, but in the circumstances to which
we have alluded it certainly finds some extern
uation. Changing places with Spain, we have
but to ask ourselves, what would we have ex-
pected from an American cruiser in precisely
similar circumstances
The removal of the American arms from
above the door of the house of Mr. Thompson.
commissioned to act as Vice Consular Agent,
at Sagua la Grande, by our Consul at Havana,
and his arrest, have been, as usual, made the
staple of many inhammatory newspaper arti
cles in this country. The filibusters never
neglect an opportunity to exasperate the pub
lie mind by exaggerating every act that looks
like trespass on the part of the Cuban au
thorities. We have no admiration for Spanish
rule in Cuba, no disposition to excuse arbitrary
acts against American citizens by officious
imps of Tyranny, but we have just as little
sympathy with filibusters and their miserable
impostures. 1t ID stated that Mr.. Thompson.
by the laws of Cuba, had no right to put up the
American arms over his office. He is not a
Consul, or invested with Consular dignity. 1t
is alleged, again, that he was suspected of az
fording aid and comfort to the flibusters.
Hence, after his arrest, his Office was searched,
but no papers were found to warrant the sus-
picion. He was taken to Havana, and on a
brief hearing before Concha, promptly released,
with an apology, and the assurance that he
should receive redress.
Now, admit that his arrest was unwarrant-
able, his prompt release by the Captain Gen
eral, with the assurance of redress for any
damage he might have sustained, forestalls any
belligerent action by our own Executive, so
that we regard as idle the rumor that the Pres
ident has at last ordered a naval force to Cuba
for the purpose of taking satisfaction into his
own hands.
The truth is, were it not for the constant
plottings by conspirators in this country, and
the repeated filibustering attempts to wrest
Cuba from Spain, our amicable relations with
that Power would suffer no disturbance; there
would arise no controversies which would not
be speedily and honorably settled 1t is an
essential part of the policy of the Filibusters to
get up as many quarrels as they can between
the two countries, until they succeed in provo
king a war, in which they imagine their highest
hope would find ful6lment