The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-03
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM AT WORK,
Sambo's Civil Rghts-The Colored
Folks and Senator Sumner.
A Spanish Insult TO England AtOneG-lhe
Steamboat Law-Life.Saving sta
items on the Coast.

Steam Irlgate congress- now under orders
lieve the Gnerrlere. on the European station, will
SAIL to Port an Prince, and there, by order Of the
government and at the request OF the owners take
| possession OF the alleged abuster Hornet whtcn
has been shut up for several months that narDor
by Spanish men-of war. Captain Davenport the
commander OF the Congress- who has been here for
several days, left Tor New York last night with
sealed orders rom the Navy Department.,
ana 1t was expected that he would get
to sea to-day. Strict secrecy has been
preserved respecting the character OF his
instructions, even Rear Admiral Lee who exercises
chief command in The waters wherein the Con.
gress Is sailing being unaware of their import. 1t
10 understood, however, that reaching Port au
Prince Captain Davenport will communicate with
our Minister to IIayti Mr.. Bassetr, and deliver
him certain instructions prepared at the State De-
partment which direct the Minister TO acquaint the
Hayden Minister OF Foreign Affairs tnar the gov
eminent Of the United States, recognizing the prnu
Jdcie right of the Hornet to its protection on the
strength OF her nag and regular papers, intends
take possession OF the vessel ana remove her TO
New York; there, within its own jurisdIc-
ton, to libel her before American trl-
bunal for her asserted violation of American
neutrality laws This intention will also be made
known to the Spanish representative az Port au
Prince, and through him the naughty Dops of the
bockading fleet will learn that any attempt at III.
reference with the free passage OF the Hornet to
an American port will meet with such resentment
as It was the fashion OF our navy TO accord before
modern diplomacy had well nigh stranged its
spirit. After putting an officer and draft OF sailors
aboard the Hornet, the Congress VIII escort her be-
JOnd the cruising grounds or the Spanish vessels,
and then proceed to relieve the Guerrero The
orders TO Captain Davenport AMI Minister
Bassctt are perhaps drawn with little more
pungency of expression than might otherwise have
been used TO meet expected call from the Senate
for copies of the papers. The administration has
felt the Sung OF Mr. Summers reproach that this
great government, absorbed In st. Domingo
schemes gave no support to the feeble black repub.
lie IN defending from Spanish insult an American
vessel seeking the friendly shelter of Its ports.
Spanish Insult 10 the British F!ae-Pronpi
Apology.
several months ago the Englisn merchant vessc,
Berwick, in the parbor q Port ~ PRINCE, WAS
1oi1a;,; ;,J the 3iihtet 81 the Spanish war steamer
Churraca, and her captain subjected TO indgnites
too serious to be forgotten. The English govern
ment at once demanded OF Spain ample apology
which, according to official reports received here
to-day, has been given. The commander or The
Churraca has been ordered home, and the Spanish
Consul, under whose direction the boarding was
done, mas been dismissed. Tie Hayten govern
ment now also makes demand upon Spain for
reparatiOn of the insult offered the British vessel in
her waters, and this too IL is anticipated ia dplo-
matte circles, will be speedily forthcoming.
Our Squadron at Hnvaua->panish Ceremony
and spanish Arrogance.
Private advices have been received here to-day
from the United States vessels in the harbor OF
Havana by the families OF some or the officers,
which report that all board are well ana as
happy as circumstances ADMIT. grea deal OF
ceremOnIOus courtesy has been shown to the on.
GERS OF the Kansas Npsic and Terror by the officials
and leading residents OF Havana but these latter
make but little effort 10 conceal the fact that the
attentions ceremOnous and nothing more The
writer's, indeed. have satisfied themselves that in
the circles which give tone to public opinion there
Is only actual III will towards the United States
but belief that the power to give effective express
sion to the Spanish hatred or Americans IS a.
strong as the sentiment itself. The Habanos do not
believe that the steady policy OF the American gov
eminent towards the Cuban nsurrectlOn results
from It's adhesion to modern principles OF non.in.
tervenuon and neutrality, but Is the offspring or
Its fears; that the sympathies Of the people OF The
United states are larger tnah the ability OF their
government to give them a practical direction.
From the tone of the correspondence It Is certain
that if the questions between Spain ana the United
states left to the naval representatives OF the
two Powers at Havana neither would be long In
finding their way TO sharp solution But the ques-
tons are yet controlled by diplomacy and the alp.
lom alto relations Of the two countries still excel
lent IN their riendliness ana cordially.
supplementary Civil Hig1fs--Orea nizaiiOn of
CsIorcd Citizeus in WRshiugton-Interview
with senator Sumner.
The colored men OF Washington are moving ac-
lively IN tile interest Of the supplementary Clvil
Rights bill now pending IN the Senate. Meetings
areheld nightly, attended by the leading colored
men OF the District. committee OF fifteen has
been appointed consisting Of John f. Cook District
Register Professor John NJ. Langston, Jonn r..
Johnson, District Treasurer; John A. Gray and
James a. Handy, members Of tie District
governments; Henry Johnson, President OF
the Board Of Trustees Of colored schools
and Dr.. Chas. b. Purvis and others, whose
duty 1t ls 10 open correspondence with leading
friends through the country and keep them IN
formed az TO the political course pursued by those
Senators VINO ore largely ina ebted TO the colored
vote for the position they now hold. In compliance
with resolution the committee called this after
noon upon Senator Sumner to express their ac-
acknowledgements 10 him and through MIN 70
those Senators who have voted Tor ana
supported this CvIl Rights Dill. Register
Cook spoke Tor the committee, and stated
that the coorcd people OF Washington were dcsr.
Gus or showing their appreciation OF the efforts
made in their behalf by the senator, ana avaiied
themselves of an opportunity 10 speak through their
committee representing 10000 colored people, and
he added, they rejected the sentiment OF almost
the entIre coored people OF the country. MI. COOK
closed by thanking the senator for the interest
manifested by him seeing thai equality before the
law Is conferred upon all men, irrespective OF color
or race
The Senator replied that The visit was gratifying
to him In M ore than respect, especially at tnis
time. when he stood almost alone, without the
hearty cooperation OF those with whom ne had
acted for years. lie was glad also that the colored
men themselves are moving in the matter. for it has
been asserted that they were not asking for that
winch az American citizens they are entitled TO.
or tIlo1 DI,,io Il.afl.