The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-04-20
The Ell Dorado.-Our Policy.

10 $780, asserts The right to search them Tor fiili-
busters. The same journals which defended the
outrage then, defend II now. War followed The
former how shall we meet the latter? ? In 1912
England claimed the right TO visit " all vessels
suspected of being slavers-but Lord Aberdeen,
in his correspondence with Mr.. Webster, expressly
admitted that il the British cruisers should visit
an American vessel, she would instantly be left 10
porsue her voyage without molr>ta,on. But the
Spanish Government now singles out American
vessels from The vessels Of all nations & visit "
nad search thus making our commerce and
flag The sole and specia objects of their tresPass
and lndIgnty, as they are, III almost every case,
of their unfounded suspicious. This statement Is
! made upon The report OF the captain OF the Daniel
Webster. who, when he protested against The con-
duct Of the panish cruiser, told by lis officer
that his orders to treat in the same manner
all American vessels. Ii may be said that Spain
has no fears Of invasion except from The United
States. and therefore this discrimination against
American vessels. But are her fears to give her
command Of the ocean, 20 rrample upon its equal
y, to interrupt the CONNER rec Of the world A
man may have serious fears Of his life, but is he
justified IN stopping every one on the highway and
searching hlm for weapons? 1t cannot for a mo-
menl be admitted that because bold spirits the
United States eager TO unite in an effort to
overthrow The Spanish power in Cuba. that there.
fore all American vessels just objects OF sus-
picion, and can be brought to and searched on the
broad ocean.
Now, if treaty stipulations and laws have ever
been faithfully and vigorously maintained by any
Government the United States entitled to that
credit in the matter Of the neutrality laws. Pres
ident Fillmore not only did his utmost within legal
bounds, but by an extreme stretch of au hority,
pursued the Lopez expedition upon the high seas,
and branded the par:icipators as''plrates!' Pre-
sidnt Pierce, if he has been more regardfu! OF the
rights OF the citizen, has not been less dlIigrnt.
On the score, then. Of good faith, the Spanish
Government has no grounds of complaint against
the United Sales. And it may we'll be asked, if,
after such constant vigilance on the part of this
Government, she now presumes TO set up and as
sert, with armed vessels, right injurious to our
commerce and insulting to our flag, what claim
she has left upon US! II she respects not-nay,
lnvades our peaceful commercia! rights-why
should we take thought OF the safety Of her pos
sessions? What consideration OF justice fair.
should prevent us from saying TO the S panish
Government g You violate upon the high
right which we have never yielded, though 1t cost
US a bloody war; you claim the right to search
our vessels and interrupt our commerce; and this
you have Done through long series OF years, in
repeated cases, without any proper reparation.
This is The reward of good faith 10 you. Be
it SO. We will meet you on your own ground.
You search American vessels 10 catch fllihusers /;
wii3 repeal our neutrality laws. aud hIllbusers
you shall have TO your content. We will no long
er respect your peace: since you trample upon
our rights"
Yet fair as such a course would be towards
Spain, we think that this Government has self
respect maintain, which bids it vindicate the
right and punish the wrong, openly and directly.
Let us do whatever our honor character
quira, in the name and with all the resi- ponsbi-
ties of people ready and able TO protect them.
selves IromsaggrcssIon. come whence it may
This was our position when Mr.. SdeIl proposed
in The Senate last year to repeal the neutrality
laws, and no cause to change il now. 1t
does not become great republic to make adven-
tnrers the champions of her rights and interests.
When impered, let the army and navy be sum-
mnued to their duty.
What policy then should this Government pnr.
sue, which shall be alike consistent with its own
dignity. and adequate to redress our grievances
Shall we still pour upon the dull and Indifferent
ear Of Spanish minis, ,ers The story Of the past.
Of injuries and ndIgnites wantonIy committed.
and wantony unaroneG for while they, secure
in the assurances Of France and England, con.
tinue to disregard both our complaints and our
warnings? No We have had enough, and
more than enough, of this thing. The archives
at Madrid, loaded with complaints unredressed
monuments Of the cold indifference Of Spain,
and of our too easy forbearance.
Our past course has brough, nothing. We
have not advanced one jrt toward the settlement
of our difficulties with Spain upon secure and
satisfactory basis. The official organ at Wash
ington, while it rtj j'ices the Black Warrior
adjustment, and lauds the course Of the Admin
istralion, admits the fact. The country feels it
to be true, and the conviction everywhere prevails
that further remonstrances and appeals at Madrid
hopeless as they are bumiliating.
Now, the real difficulty in the way of our
peaceful relations with Spain has ever been III the
fact that the power and disposition 10 injure are
at our own DOORS while redress has 10 be sought
in a distant continent. In all powers OF aggr-s-
SION upon US, the Captain General is the real SOW
ereign of Cuba. He commands her sea and land
forces, and is ntrusted with their sole disposition
But for all purposes Of redress he is absolutely
impotent. Practically, the thing has been bad
as though we had TO appeal to the man in the
monn for protection Of our rights against Cuban
officials. So alpable has it brcomr, that admin
istration after administration has urged upon the
Spanish Government the eonferripg upon The Cap
tain General the power to settle disputes arising
IN his jurisdiction but tho latter has persstentiy
refused. Mr.. Soule, in accordance with his in-
strucdons, pressed the matter upon the conside-
ration Of Mr.. Luzuriaga, the Spanish minister,
who replied, "ihat her Majesty's Government
could not, without reIinquisbing The authority
which !; exercises 10 the name Of the QUEEN, in
vsst the Governor Captain General of province
OF the mona rchy, such as the Island Of Cuba,