The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-10

Important from spain-Dr. Houard's
Case-The Ultimatum OF Our Gov
The special telegraphic despatch to the
HEnALD from Madrid. published in another
part Of the paper, is highly important From
this we learn that our government has resolved
at last to act firmly with Spain in the case of
DR.. Houard Our Minister ct Madrid has
made formal and peremptory demand for
the release of DR.. Houard, who is now in o
Spanish prison undergoing the sentence of
court martial in Cuba. The communication
Of our Minister, in which this demand is
made, is, it seems, ON elaborate one and cover
ing the whole case. The Spanish government
is informed that President Grant desires there
should be no delay in responding to the de-
mand made upon it; that the matter should
receive immediate attention, and that, in the
event Of q refusal to comply, the President
would take decisive action.
1t is not necessary to 60 into the details Of
the case Of DR.. Houard. So much has been
published about it that the public is pretty
well informed. We will simply state that DIR.
Houard is an American born citizen, and,
though he resided for business objects many
years in Cuba, he never renowned his citizen
ship or acknowledged allegiance to the Span
ish government He was arrested by the
Spanish authorities in Cuba on q charge that
appears to have had no foundation, tried by
court martial, condemned barely escaped with
his life through the interpretation of American
officials, was heavily ironed and transported to
Spain, and there imprisoned and punished as
only the worst felons are. He has been ruined
in health and fortune, and in fact, brought to
the brink of the grave by his cruel suffering
Our Secretary of State resisted for some time
the overwhelming evidence Of DR.. Houard's
citizenship and innocence and of the out
rageous tyranny and insulting conduct
of the Spanish government He seemed
to be, indeed, more the apologist of
Spain than the defender Of fell
low citizen and American rights. Finally
through the ever-vigilant, Independent press
exposing the facts and the horrible situation
of Dr. Houard, and Congress having been
shamed into taking notice Of the case, MI.
Fish was forced to remonstrate with the
Spanish government. We believe he went so
but the Spanish government, knowing with
whom it had to deal, intimated. it was said,
that it might release its victim If his release
were asked as favor. This is where the case
stood up to the time Of our Minister at Madrid
making the peremptory demand spoken Of in
the telegram published to-day.
Has, then, the limit of forbearance with
Spanish insults and outrages been reached1
If SO we may say, in the language Of the
familiar adage, better late than never. The
American people have long been surprised
and felt Inundated at what they deemed
weakness in the government Though Spain
has murdered, imprisoned and otherwise
wronged our citizens; has made the United
States storehouse Of supplies to carry on the
most brutal war against neighboring and ON
American people struggling for liberty, and
has outraged all the laws of civilization and
humanity in Cuba, she has shown nothing
but ingratitude to this country for its forbear-
ance and friendship. She has persistently re-
fused redress for wrongs done to this country
and its citizens. She has shocked mankind
by unparalleled atrocities in Cuba, for which
she ought to have been placed outside the pale
of civilized nations; and yet she has only
Knocked OF our circumstances and insolently
defed this great republic, as well as the public
sentiment of the world. It will be gratifying
to the American people, therefore, to learn
that o climax has been reached and that our
government has determined to have justice for
our own citizens OF least We think we see in
this peremptory demand for the release Of DR..
Houard the hand of General Grant. It is like
the frmness and patriotism he showed with
regard to the French invaders Of Mexico. 1t
is Characteristic Of him some years ago, when
4 a. -.
mated by tho Presidential Office and the time
serving sycophants and partisans around him.
But let us hope there will be no backing
down, as in the case of the Alabama claims
Let Us hope this exhibition Of frmness and