The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-28

sons and insults Of Spanish officials and IT. as have
assumed the for redress adopted have gone the
full length OF executive authority, it becomes interesting
10 know whether our and national rights and
honor are to continue to outraged by distractions and
ggressions like which recently excited much
popular Indignation or whether the President has adopted
policy which win either to exemption from
similar ouages in future result in their prompt and
exemplary punishment IL is the duty of the Executive to
protect our commerce and national rights the high
seas to these the President is furnished with
navy and army and made their commander Although
he may constitutonay make TO redress past in
juries he may use the army navy both, prevent
injuries and if need be- he may repe and prevent orc-
BILE aggressions by forcibe resistance though
state Of hosttes should be the unavoidable conse-
quence The right of selfdefence belongs as well to
nations as to individuals; and when necessary resort
it brings with il the consequence Of war, it is
by the of the offending party, and involves no
violation Of executive powers If foreign army in
vades territory the President commander of the
military forces is bound repel it. although thereby
follow In like manner if the exclusive Jurisdiction on the
high which flag guarantees to the deck OF every
American vessel is invaded by attempt to exercise the
right search visitation examination, the President
much bound to resist and repe the invasion Of one OF
our ships decks resist and repe the invasion of our
territory He would be derelic Of duty in one case as
in the other if he failed to exert the means placed at bis
disposal upon the apprehension that might ensue 1t
is enough for him know that if in such way,
it by the act of the invader The only question Of
in such is the time when the ag
gresson may be resisted resented by the Executive 1t
is clear however, that long the aggression continues
the orcble OF resistance punishment is
lawful -four naval military force be present within
striking distance when aggression takes place. whether
upon territory of merchant vessels the right
and the duty nepose for protection resistance and
shment need argument for its illustration 1t
is equally clear that If the naval military force be not
actually present but reach the of aggression before
the aggressor has his outrage and retired
from the place. the right nterpose exists. We should
maintain that under peculiar circumstances oaggravaton
and arocy naval military commander would be JUS
tifable in looking up and furnishing the offender
though the aggression had been consummated and the Of
fender withdrawn from the place of committing the Of
fence 1t is only in of this kind that any
real difficulty presented the of executive
power in repeng and redressing injury and insult Be
of such difficulty the responsibility is devolvcd upon
the President of exercising special wisdom and
in the selection of the officers TO whom such delicate
committed That considerations like these have ope-
the Executive in placing Commodore McCauley
in command of the gulf squadron have doubt; and
that his prudence circumspection and vigilance will illus
rate the propriey of the selection have little doubt
scarcely necessary remark that the late
in the neghborhood of Cuba have caused the Pes
send naval force there the inference is conclusive
that the object is prevent repetition of such
and to punish them if their repetition attempted Those
acts regarded by the Executive violations of
national law and indigncs to flag and aggressons
upon rights and distractions to commerce. which
cannot and will not be tolerated Commodore McCauley
will raise questions Of naval etiquette in connexon
with the exercise OF the right of visitation examination
of vessels by Spanish ships His business to
know that government repudiates all controversy
to the existence of such right whether it be sought
cover it under the terms Of bringing to" firing
over" any of the naval phrases which are 50
learnedly investigated in of the newspapers or
whether 1t is asserted openly and boldly as an ex-
listing Spanish right He does go there with iexi-
cographer in his hand to enter into pathological dsqui-
stons with Spanish officers but to say to them, You
claim right of Search visitation examination Of
any vessel rghtfay bearing flag upon the high seas
under any guise any preex in my presence within
my reach, If you attempt it. the act will be done your
peril If the lgencr chooses to regard instructions
this character boody it is welcome to make the
of them; other citizens of better patriotism will Judge
differently We do not pretend to conjecture whether
hostile collision will will result from the execution
Of the orders of Commodore McCauley That is
with the Spanish officials and their government They
know the position of our government on the ques-
on and they have the Issue peace in their hands
If they persist in their of aggresons is nev
table and by their and upon their own re-
sponsibility.
BASE FORGERY UPON THE FATHER OF HIS
COUNTRY.
The most familiar practice Of the leaders of the
party is their infamous attempt dshonor the of the
revolutionary era; and already find growing indf-
ference among the know nothngs those sublime and
ennobling examples. In proportion the followers of