The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-12-28
rn,e Amistud ClaiI1As

Our present economical government undonot.
ealv believes in the proverh that consistency
il Jewell" They cannot afford any such ex-
traysgancy. This is apparent enough on OIL
occasions, but in none more SO, perhaps, than
il regard to the "Amistad" affair, revived BY
the present Executive.
The facts Of this case We have recently pub
lished. We will briefly rehearse them, that the
actual merits Of the ''claim. may be clearly un.
derstood, in connection with the decision OF the
Supreme Court thereon, which MT. BUCHANAN
asks Congress to set at defiance.
or cargo Of negroes freshly "pirated" from
Africa ana brought to Cuba, during the admin
istration OF Mr.. VAN BUREN,) q number were
bought by two Spanards named RUIZ and MEN
DEF. and shipped for another part Of the Island.
On their way the Africans mutinied, got full
possession of the vessel, doing personal vio-
ience to no one, and Misunderstanding the
rights OF men, as they we're, to be taken back
to Africa. The vessel, however found its way
TO Long Island Sound, instead, was taken 10
charge by United States revenue cutter, and
brought into New Haven.
There the case was fully heard before the
District Court Of the United States, and the ne
groes we're declared free. That they we're 50
legally as well as Of right, is plain from the ma
ture of the case. Whatever claim Of property
in them was bad by their purchasers, RUIZ and
MENDEz, was founded upon their contract with
the original stealers, who brought them from
Africa in defiance of the laws OF Spain. 1t was
only such right, further, as was conferred by
an act pronounced by all nations not merely H.
legal, but felonious The purchaser Of a stolen
horse has Just as good claim upon him, when
seized BY the right owner, as had these Spaniards
upon the stolen negroes. The latter had assert
ed their liberty, and there is not civilized ma
ton under heaven that would fail TO protect
their Unborn rights, under circumstances such
as these
Yet the Spanish claimants we're not satisfied
with the action Of the District Court. An ap-
peal was taken to the Supreme Court OF the Uni.
teo States. There, in faN bench, the decision
Of the District Court was affirmed. The negroes
were accordingly set at liberty.
All this happened some twenty years ago.
The Spanish Government foolishly took notice
of the complaints of the two spectators who
had voyaged in the "Amistad," and strange to
say, our Democratic Administration admitted
that the claim was just. 1t fortunately requires
q special appropriation to pay such demand,
and even the large Democratic majority in Con.
gress could not be brought TO do thing so ille-
gal and absurd. No House Of Representatives
has ever yet had majority of men insane
enough to treat the case with any respect, or
even patience. Though especially endorsed by
nearly or quite every Democratic Administra-
ton since vet the very name became SO odious,
long ago, that the claims ceased to be serious
ly pressed 1t was reserved for JAMES BUCHAE
AN to attempt to galvanize this defunct absur-
dity into life, and to illustrate the sincerity oi
his professions of implicit submission TO the de-
cisions of the Supreme Court, by asking Con-
gress to pay a claim which that Court has for
mally pronounced invalid. The Court declar-
ed all these negroes to be free, yet the Amisiac
| claim is for compensation tor them as Slaees
| unusty taken from their omaers by the action
| Of our Government. Mr.. BUcHANANs recon-
mendaton, therefore, is in direct defiance o.
| the decision Of the Supreme Court.
The glaring Inconsistency and hypocrisy o
the man who affects to regard the "Dred Scot
decision" Gncuding all the opinions OF the Chic
Justice in the case) as binding upon every cti
zen, and not even to be questioned without dis
loyalty, while thus himself calling on Congress
to set aside a decision Of the same Court, abou
| which there is not the slightest question as t
| torn or validity, is certainly bad enough, ant
deserves the reprehension OF all honest men,
But this is as nothing, compared with the inetfa
BILE disgrace brought upon our Republican Gov
| ernment bv such recommendation OF payaen
| for negroes brought over in pirate" ship, an
set at liberty by our highest Court, as free b
all the laws alike of earth and heaven. This in
suit to free people-this suggestion of treaso
to their Representatives in Congress, is wor
of gratuitous infamy, IL this time, aud ver
Justly excites deep and general indignation
TCincinnati Gazette.