The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-25
poltiral.
From the albany EUening Journal,
Cuba and the washington Union.


"If however armed bodies OF men are or ganiz-
ing in the United States, and vessels of war are
now fitting out in our ports for the invasion of Cuba,
they are, we have no doubt, illegal, and should be
suppressed. But suppose that a revolution shall
take place in Cuba-the result of the movements of
the inhabitants of that island-will the organs of
the Administration undertake to affirm that our
citizens may not. In that event, go over and help
the revolutionistE We do not say that they have
right 10 enlist troops, and get up warlike expedi
tons in our territories These to0ud be in violation
Of the lGo q nations as ceu as iaics. But
has not a citizen Of the United States right to
shoulder MS musket, go over 10 the island OF Cuba
and enlist in the army of the revolutionists' And
has our Government any right 10 intercept himy
Have not our citizens the right to expatrate them
selves These questions may all be raised, II, un
fortunately, II should turn out that there was the
least ground TO suppose that the Cabinet had any
foundation for its late movement. OF course citi-
Gems OF the United States who leave their own coun
try, and enter into the military service of another
forfeit all right 10 the protection Of Government.
They take all the risk and danger upon themselves;
but we not yet ready to admit the doctrine that
our Government has any right whatever to prevent
their going 20 Cuba, or TO Hungary, TO engage in
OF independence in either of those countries if
they 60 individually and upon their own response
bility. OF course, if they should be captured by
the forces OF Spain or Austria, they suffer the
penalty ,chch their conduct inctrs and cannot look TO
our Government for protection But that they may
enter the service of foreign nations we have no
Union.
Although this article s intended To convict the
President OF Ignorance and anti democratic predi-
lectons ii fully sustains the proc amation and but
reiterates what the President and every one else
admits No one assumes the position that an Ameri-
can citizen has not the right 10 emigrate Free
locomotlon IL one OF the fundamental PRINCIPLES of
our Government. Whoever chooses may at his
pleasure, post off 10 the ends of the earth and no
man has the right to demand of him. "why do We
so' This Is settled principle which has
ever questioned. In lnslnuatlng that IL Is denied
either by the Administration or by 'the organs of
the Administration, the Union, as usual, allows It's
malice 10 run away with its discretion But this
nsinuation has its object. The Union to- dau, is
"not ready TO admit the doctrine that our Govern
ment has any right whatever To prevent [citizensl
from going 10 Cuba or TO Hungary, 10 engage in a
Of independence, in either of those countries if
they go individually and upon their RESPONSE
bity;n and TO- morrolr, some of its echoes viii de-
clare that the Administration and the Wing party
actually assert an opposite doctrine. Immediately
upon this, general howl will be raised a gainst the
Wing party. General Taylor and his Cabinet, and
all who sustain them, will be denounced as mon
archists, and one-half the Locofoco party will be
ready 10 swear that the Wing party is in league
with Russia and Spain! While writing, our eye
has fallen upon specimen paragraph The Prori-
deuce Herald discourses thus:
g We feel ashamed for Taylor and his cabinet
when we chronicle this base subserviency, this
emptible and unasked- for cringng TO the spirit of
despotism in the Old World. Europe is on fire with
the spirit Of repubhcanism. Whole communities,
whole nations are rising up against the tyranny of
thrones. Sword meets sword in the conflict for lib
erty, and blood flows II rain in the streets
in defence of their rights The glorious men who
have TO have liberty death, and inscribed
democratic notices upon their banners, turn their
gaze to our own favored country, and ask, if not
substantial aid, at least our sympathies In their
struggles. Instead of it, so far as the Government
Is concerned they meet cold, harsh, bitter re-
buke.'
II will only require that this idea shall pass once
or twice more through the crucibe of Locofocoism
10 come out follows 90 While General Taylor
and his Cabinet were profoundly anxious TO pre-
citizens from volunteering to fight the bat
tles of freedom in Hungary and Cuba, they
only in actual secret alliance with Austria and
SPAIN but actively engaged IN raising troops aid
the despots Of those nations in their efforts to crush
the people!' Such transmutation would be in
perfect keeping with Locofoco progression" IL
is FIRST apprehension, next insinuation, and then
assertion. What was dimly suspected yesterday IL
timidly affirmed to-day, and boldly sworn TO to-
morrow.
The Wing party makes no pretensions TO supe-
rior patriotism, or of exclusive sympathy with the
oppressed Of other countries. Our national history
demonstrates the patriotism Of the whole people,
and their sympathy with all who, initiating our ex-
ample, endeavor 70 break the yoke of their oppres
sors. But there is no merit either in this pa
triotism this sympathy than there is merit in a
parents affection for his children, his sympathy
with their sufferings. Both instructive, and il
would be just unnatural for an American citizen
70 look coldy upon this struggle in Hungary, Tor
parent 10 close his heart against the meanings Of
his sick child. Those, therefore, who boast of their
sympathy for that people, and deny that virtue TO
others, would, if they did not render themselves
premely ridiculous, merit public execration.
But Justice and national integrity sometimes come
in conflict with our individual sympathies. While
the whole American people ardently desire the tri
umpb Of the Hungarians, policy and law forbid
even the semblance Of national interference. The
past has demonstrated the wisdom Of this neutrali-
ty, and no who loves his country desire
the violation Of what is essential the peace and
welfare of the nation.