The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-21

If there ever existed moment when Il devoyed upon
the government Of the United States show itself in the
eyes Of nations, magnanmous and great il is the present
in the critical relation in which the continued violations
by Spain Of the Of nations have placed towards hat
country 1t be denied that turbulent although
comparatively small party has for years existed in the
United States which has affected consider the step
in manifest destiny be the annexation Of the island
of Cuba As the first Of the only two ways Of attaining
that endviz purchase robberywas found too remote
every pretext has been sought justify the latter and
fbusterng press and potentaes have dashed them
selves into fury each of the local authorities Ha-
which could be- directly indirectly interpreted
unfriendly to the United States. Although commercial
treaty between Spain and this country the enforce
Of Spanish Laws has been resented in
suit flag the dishonesty of individual Cubans has
been treated national offence the violation of Cuban
laws by American citizens has been defended until from
continued hasy prelensons and unjust recamatons
the belief has arisen every court OF Europe that the Uni
ted States government Cuba and resolved pos
sess IT, right or wrong at any cost Nevertheless the
great body Of the American people and the thinking press
OF all parties have regretted these extremes and louder in
dgnaon has been expressed home than abroad the
coveous domneering Of Young America and its
disposition to manufacture outrages.
Within very period however issues have arisen
between the Spanish colonial authorities and this country
different from any that preceded Them and calling for the
grayest and consideration of the United
government The conduct of General Concha has been
negatively inimcal from the that he resumed
the of Cuba but within few weeks
encouraged by the hopedor aid of England and France
and supported by reinforced army and feet from home
he has wantony and unreasonahy invaded maritime rights
which il and endless negotiations
the acknowledgement Of other countries has
lated in other respects those principles of comfy which
are usually observed by nations in state of peace The
arrest OF Mr. Thompson at Sagua la Grando
cessary and hostile provocaon which has par
allels in the history Of civilized countries The ignomn-
ous manner in which the United States flag was torn
down from his house be justified nor Is any
paating circumstance known concerning this act
The mail steamer III Dorado fred into by Spanish
steamer at distance of eight miles from land with
other shadow OF than the law of might against
right; aud deem it impossible for true American 10
study the details of that outrage without regretng that
could not have been instantly and eoacously punished
The cases Of the briggs Magyar and p r. ckbern
arocous, because there for a suspicion
that they approaching island of Cuba with an un-
friendly intent Several other American vessels have
fred Mt and visited with evident determination the
part Of General Concha enforce vigorously against Uni
ted States vessels in the Gulf of Mexico the principle of
right of seaSch The captain Of of vessels
formed by ihe Spanish officer who boarded him that his
instructions stop every vessel the Cuban
Of this be suffered 1t be allowed
without the abandonment Of fundamental principles of in
ernaonal law by which every nation should be governed
and which it las been glory commercial people
have maintained successfully during entire ndepend
ent existence.
Spain will seek justify its aggressons under the plea
that Cuba cannot be regarded in state of peace that
the crushed conspiracy in that island and the
knowledge the Spanish government had acquired pro-
ec,ed invasion from the States bestow upon the prvi
leges of begeent powers and permit examination of
the papers of vessels of all nations This is miserable
preex and may justly add to the number Of wrongs
h;cb have bee being unjustIy accused 81
in the conspiracy, in which the Cuban
press acknowledge had active share
Although II sum OF between and two millions of dol
said have been expended in this country by the
Cuban unt to enlist busters they failed utterly and il
credabe the United States that its citizens despite
the urgngs of corrupt press and the appeals were
their covetousness could be again enan ged
in career similar that Of Lopez and his companions
Some misguided young Cubans did certainly attempt to
overthrow the colonial and establish independent gov
ernment What is that us2 They failed, and were
punished for but it Of business if as now
appears had part 1.-the attempt France would not
pretend interrupt in the Mediterranean be-
cause of a revolt in Algers would the Collins
be overhaued by English cruisers if rebellion
break in Nova Scotia 1t the part of weakness to
arrogae the proportions strength and of extreme fear to
swell out into trembling auacity Neither Cuba Spain
at war; and if they were the policy they have
adopted would be censurable.
The most recent declaration of the British government
concerning the relations Of England to the United States
was that perfect practical harmony existed in the views
the countries respecting the right Of search There
is no reason dscredt this authoritative statement and
therefore the which being pursued by Execu
tive senang Commodore McCauley the Gulf Of Mex
leo 10 protect American commerce. and resent far as
is requisite such insults may be offered our flag,
should with the fullest approval both London and
Paris The other nations of Europe will certainly JUS
tiy evidently required by national self
respect The American doctrine regarding the right Of
search is clear and unambiguous The subject thor
onghy discussed some years since, between Mr. Webster
whilst Secretary Of State and the British ministry and
in his celebrated despatch OF March 2s s43 be clearly
shows that merchantmen may be detained By
mistake. He says
cruiser is therefore, wrong respass although may be
done under the belief that she British vessel that
she belonged nation which had conceded the right Of
such detention the British cruisers and the trespass
therefore, involuntary trcspass II ship-of-war ia
thick weather the darkness OF the night ire and
sink neutral vessel under the belief that she Is
vessel this il trespass-a wrong and cannot be
said be done under any right accompanied BY
responsibility for damages So, civil officer land
process against individual and through mistake
another, this arrest is wholly tortous No
would think of saying 1t was done under any lawful
else Of authority subject only responsibility, that IL
thing but trespass though unintentional
trcspass The municipal law does not undertake to lay
down beforehand any rule for the government such
and little in the opinion of the government Of
the United States does the public law Of the world lay
lief ANY OF