New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-02-02
GIVE sA1,AS ms DUE.

GIVE SATAN ms DUE.
1t would be hard forEune indeed If among all the
ollies and niquities Of even the worst Adminstra-
ton that ever swayed The destinies of the country
there could not be found a single redeeming trait
nor single action that would stand the test OF i'm
partial criticism. We do not believe that we have
had an Administration Of such total depravity and
imbecty vet, but at the rate at which national
politics are progressing downward in the scale Of
morals and ability il is TO be unprecedented that the
lowest deep may be rehehed in a very short time.
The present Administration has done precious little
to commend itself to tile affections of the people or
entitle itself to their confidence and respect. On
the contrary, its Janus-hced policy Of looking North
and South Mt the time of seeming to side with
conflicting sections ani parties, has attached none
firmly to its fortunes, while il has caused it TO
be looked upon with dlstrust by all. II it had at
tanned this unenviabe position by an independent
and conscientious course between two extremes of
faction it would occupy the highest possible ground
and could claim TO be the sheetanchor Of the ship of
State in the tempest which may soon darken around
her but as that position was attained by embracing
in turn each of the extremes and betraying in turn
each of the conflicting sections it occupies log
cal consequence the lowest possible ground, enjoys
tue confidence of nobody and in the hour Of trial
will be thrust aside like worthless straw.
Nevertheless, we claim that the Administration Of
Mr. Buchanan is not wholly depraved--that it has
shown at least one commendabe trait and adopted in
one case commendable policy, viz: disposition to
push several little outstanding affairs with foreign
powers to a settlement and to compel obedience to
the laws Of the United States the part of the re-
fractory Saints in Utah We have often heard strictly
honest persons make Use Of brief and pointed ex
hortation in favor Of Aestowing upon the Evil One
that which belongs to him. and in the same spirit we
say, give the Administration its due ; it is not 10
condition to lose anything that be placed to its
credit One of the most radical defects of foreign
policy il and has always been neglect of the inter-
ests and rights Of our citizens abroad and failure to
redress their wrongs. While the Governments Of
Great Britain and France watch with jealous care
over the welfare Of their subjects in every quarter of
the world Except perhaps at home) the free and in
dependent citizens Of the Great Republic al liberty
TO take care of themselves when they travel abroad
or seek protection and sympathy at the hands Of
kindred nation. Any Administration, with home
policy at all decentand tolerable, might make grand
stride into popular favor by inauguratng thorough
reform in this feature Of our foreign relations. 1t
would be new era Of american responsibility and
greatness when an American citizen could travel into
any country in Chrstdndom with the absolute assn
rance that for any Outrage upon his rights full atone
mentwould be demandedand compelled at any cost
the dawnng of which we fear is still far off in
the future.
We call to mind at present five distinct cases in
which the present Administration has shown itself
ambitions Of deserving the approval of the nation,
viz: in concluding the settlement of the Danish |
Sound Tolls question; in sending military force |
against the Mormons The act itself being commend
able, though the manner in which it was executed |
was stupid blunder throughout in the broad hint /
given to Spain that the FL Dorado outrage must be
atoned for; in the urgent demand forced upon New
Granada for reparatoh for The atrocous murder and
plage Of our California passengers the Isthmus in
1856 and in the EXPRESSION Of firm determination
to punish petty mockhry of State called Paraguay
in South America, for q fragrant outrage committed
three years ago. As the particulars of this latter
affair may not be fresh in the mind Of the reader we
will recall them briefly:
10 1858 our Government deemed it desirable to |
ascertain the fitness pf the Rio de la Plata and its
tributaries for navigation by steam, and accordingly
dispatched the steamer Water-Witch thither on
surveying expedition. The survey was prosecuted
successfully until February, 1855, when, while peace
fully ascending the Tarana river the steamer was
fired upon repeatedly by Paragnayan fort and one
Of her crew was killed. The Water-Witch returned
the fire. but without much effect, her metal being
very light. The outrage was wholly unprovoked, and
up to the present time neither redres explanation
has been youchsafed " the sambo ofcials~of Para
quay, who doubtless have their own estimate of the |
Importance of their Slate among the nations and the
usual estimate formed by spanlshAmerican States Of
our position and rank in that regard The present
Administration declares that the matter shall rest no
longer, and that its demand for immediate redress
shall be enforced.
We say that we are willing to put these five indi |
cations Of sound policy down to the credit OF Mr..
Buchanan and his Chbnet--but three of them only |
for what they worth as declarations of intention
We can take nothing on trust. We remember that |
Mr. B. subscribed to the tlibusterng Cincinnati plat
form, and has since caused a violation Of interna-
tional law in crusade against Walker for alleged
flbustering; we know, too, that he pledged his
faith to the South, gave every assurance that he |
would defend her rights. and then appointed Bob |
Walker to an Office in which he could work out the |
most Infamous and outrageous designs against those |
rights, and kept him there until the object was
accomplished. Therefore, we can take nothing on |
trust from Mr.. Buchanan and his Cabinet in the |
shapeo declaration, an assurance, (of which they
have plenty) pledge OF an oath. When the action |
is performed it shall be set down for or against their
credit, and not before
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