The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-27

Unless this ground be maintained, England
we shall navigate them at her pleasure our
flag will cease to command respect the as.
sumed right Of visitation will be exercised for
any and every purpose that may suit the ca
price of an English man-ofwar. We know
enough of the navy to know that it is nursery
of despotism and despotic habits. The habit
of absolute command engenders insolence, i'm.
periousness, recklessness. Especially is this
true of the English navy. There is nothing in
the character, training, or history of British
commanders, that should lead rs to expect
from them forbearance or scrupulousness in
the exercise of any such right as that of vista
ton. Grant that our flag is abused, it is not
for them to correct the abuse any further than
they can do so without assuming the right to
arrest, visit, and search our vessels. There is
a right way to do right thing-and the only
right way to remedy this abuse is by American
interference. Let our own Government apply
the corrective-let our own ships of war pro-
tect the honor of the flag, and bring to punish
ment the scoundrels who prostitute it.
1t was because we would not concede the
right to Britain, because we claimed it as ex.
clusively our own, because we were anxious to
prevent unfriendly collision and to prove our
sincere purpose to deprive piratical traffic of
the cover of our flag, that we agreed to the
Treaty of 1872 But it is to be deeply regretted
that Mr.. Webster did not then peremptorily in
sist upon the settlement once for all of this
vexed question.
The reference made by General Cass to ar
rangements between England and Spain, by
which the latter is bound to use her best efforts
to prevent the importation of slaves into Cuba,
is pertinent enough. Our Secretary seems to
think that England ought to demand that these
arrange ments be carried into effect We be-
lieve one provision stipulates for the enfran-
chisement of the slaves imported in violation
of the Treaty. At one time, if we mistake not
the British Government became urgent on this
point, and called upon Spain to fulfil the stipu-
lations. This at least was the common report,
and we recollect what deep concern and in
dignation it awakened in this country among
the shareholders and the "patriots," who are
always ready to take fire at British interfer-
ence." The most incendiary purposes were
attributed to England, and the Union newspa-
per was filled from day to day with sensation
articles about the Africanizstion of Cuba and
British schemes of Emancipation. But, we
now find an American Secretary of State
counselling Great Britain to enforce the very
policy in regard to Cuba, which, under the Ad-
ministration of General Pierce, 80 profoundly
afflicted the Democratic Party.
Whether this advice has been acted upon, we
do not know, but one thing is certain, the Eng.
lish Government no longer confines its efforts
for the suppression of the slave trade to the
coast of Africa. 1t has sent it's cruisers to
Cuba, to prevent the entrance of slavers into its
ports, proceeding on the assumption of General
Cass-" If these unfortunate victims could not
ports of Cuba to their entrance is to shut the
ports of Africa to their departure" There is q
remarkable concurrence of opinion between our
Secretary of State and the English Govern
ment, and General Cass must feel hattered at
seeing the general principle he has enuncisted
practically acted upon by the English Minis.
try.
Unfortunately, this extension Of operations to
Cuba has given rise to such difficulties as, &C.
curing on the coast of Africa, led to the treaty
of 1912. The slaver seeks protection under the
American flag, and the British cruiser assumes
the right to arrest and examine every vessel bear.
ing that flag, on mere suspicion of its character.
Already, eleven cases have been reported of
gross and impertinent interference with Amer.
lean vessels engaged in lawful commerce. This
state of things cannot be tolerated. could not
be continued without war. Now and then, a
piratical SLAYER may prostitute our flag; but that
is no reason why foreign men of war may estab-
lish espionage over our vast commerce, and, at
their will, FIRE into our vessels, bring them TO-,
detsin Them subject them to examination, and
determine whether they be engaged in lawful
| commerce. We cannot submit to such despot.
ism without degradaton-we cannot recognise
the right of such interference, without conce-
ding supremacy to England.
We learn that communications have already
been made to the British Government: they
cannot be too decided. The President has also
ordered several American vessels to the Gulf,
to protect our flag. That is right: let aggression
be stopped instantly, whatever the cost In all
that vitality concerns the freedom of the seas,
the independence of our commerce, and the
homer of cur flag, there can be but enc heart
and one mind in this country.
We hate Slavery, and abhor the Slave Trade.
but duties are harmonious There need be no
conflict between Patriotism and Philanthropy.
Contending for the rights of others, we should
jealousy guard our own rights. Nor shall We
permit our opposition to the Administration to
lead us into false position on Question which
rises infinitely above all party considerations. 1t
has taken the true ground on this question of
the right of search; it could take no lower,
without q base betrayal of the interests and
honor of the United States. Some of our co.
temporaries counsel GOODNESS and caution-sug-
gest that there may be great exaggeration-
think we should wait patiently till we hear the
other side. Very sensible but would it not be
well for them to add that, in no event, for no
reason whatever, can this claim to arrest and
search our vessels be tolerated? The Admins
tration will be cool and cautious enough; it has
given no indication of superfuous spirit or
zeal: we see no evidence of its being moved by
a belligereRt spirit. Our only apprehension is,
that it may not be bold and decided enough in
asserting and enforcing our rights.
Bat, while discharging duties we owe to our.
selves, we should be no less prompt and ener.