The New York herald., 1872-10-19


ment. tfee fdi lo amsg
We learn from the special correspondent of
the HERALD at Havana that an American
gentleman-Mr A. Boyd Henderson has
been arrested and imprisoned by order of the
Spanish authorites So far as is known
there is no reason for Mr.. Henderson's arrest
except the suspicion of Spanish officials and
alleged communication with suspected SYM
pathizers with the Cuban insurrection.
Neither of these causes is sufficient for the
detention of an American citizen travelling
for his own and his wife's health in Cuba,
and the frivolous pretence that Mr.. Hender-
son is a Cuban by birth only adds to the
to the United States. II is the Houard case
over again, only that it is even more fragrant
in what will probably prove to be the fact
namely, that Mr.. Henderson is an American
citizen, who was never before on Spanish or
Cuban soil. In this case we must not have
repetition of the feeble policy of our State
Department in the Houard case, but vigorous
and unmistakable action must characterize
Mr.. Fish's course from the outset. Spain
must be taught that American citizens cannot
be arrested and imprisoned with impunity,
and that the strong arm of the United States
is sufficient to punish outrages of this kind.
Perhaps war will be necessary to teach tho
Spaniards the respect which is due to other
nations, and Spain must understand that the
meaning of war with the United States is
the loss of her dominion in the West Indies.
If the wrong toward Henderson is persisted in
it will be the last outrage of the kind which
Spain will commit in Cuba, for it will SO
intensity the indignation of the American
people as to compel policy of retaliation
and conquest.
We have no disposition to be unjust or even
severe towards o friendly nation in our COM
ments upon this unfortunate affair but it
must be conceded that we have borne patiently
with the Spanish government in long series
Of offences against the sentiments of our
citizens If the administration OF Washington
had studied the popular feeling it would long
since have given to the Cubans oil the ad-
vantages to be derived from the recognition of
their rights as belligerents. We have been in
dulgent towards Spain abroad, perhaps for
the very reason of the acknowledged weakness
of Spain at home and it is certain that we
have submitted to more from that tottering
Power than we should have been willing to
bear from less embarrassed government.
violence to our most dearly cherished princi-
pies and has been scandal to civiliza-
tion 1t seems preposterous that we
should suffer such struggle to 60
on in close proximity to our own
territory year after year with apparent indif-
ference that we should stand forth as the
aiders and abettors of the oppressors, rather
than as sympathizers with the oppressed. Yet
such has been the fact, and the most exacting
supporter of the Spanish government must
concede that our action in all matters relating
to the Cuban insurrection has verged closely
upon subserviency to the views and policy of
SPAIN Even in the Houard case our State
Department became the advocate Of the Span
ish side Of the controversy, and maintained
the plea of justification set up by the Cuban
authorities in response to our protest against
the imprisonment of that individual The
argument of Secretary Fish would have pre-
cluded any demand for the release of Houard,
and he would have been pining in Spanish
dungeon to-day but for the voluntary action
Of the Spanish government, which shrewdly
discovered in his pardon cheap method OF
acknowledging the many friendly services of
our State Department
We now desire both Secretary Fish and the
Spanish authorities to understand that there
must be no delay in the release of Mr.. Hen
derson, provided he has done nothing to
render him clearly amenable to the laws Of
the country in which he is o temporary resi-
dent. 1t has been evident that the Spaniards
in Cuba have sought eagerly for causes o.
offence against American citizens, in IN ap
: parent anxiety to revenge themselves upon ou
! people for their admitted sympathy with tn,
Cuban revolutionists. It is time that thi
should cease. We have no wish to offent
Spain, but the singularly friendly disposition
I of our government towards that Power mus
not be misinterpreted by the Spanish author
tiles. We are on the eve of Presidential
election and Of the Inauguration of q new
administration; for whatever may be the result
of the November contest, it is certain that oul
national policy must undergo radical
change. The people viii demana!
: treatment Of the Cuban question
different from that which has prevailed
up to the present time, and if General Grants
term of office should be extended it will b.
incumbent upon him to take firm stand il
regard to the affairs Of that unhappy island
In his last annual Message to Congress he ex
pressed regret that the disturbed condition o
SO close neighbor continued as o source o
anxiety and annoyance to the citizens Of tn
United States, and declared that the exist
i{ > .,+rootad ,t~,;..ii -~--! =,