Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-08-27
Cuba-Presidents Proclamation.

CuD1-PreSIdentS Proclamation. J
lhe Cuba question is at this moment a
f1zzlng bomb. 1t has fallen with due ex-
ploslon on the authorities at Washington.
The country is startled by proclamations
of Threatened invasons,'' ssbreaches of
faith, "unlawful enterprises and whole
string of prospective outrages against the
peace of Isabella segunda, in her"pearl Of
the Antilles" the beautiful Cuba. But has
the Government, or any other outsider, ,got
hold of a tangible fragment of the bomb,
so as to determine its calibre and peculiar
tiles! We venture to say no. The gov
eminent has right-it is its conventional
duty to issue proclamations when the inter-
ests or policy or the Union are threatened,
but may there not be haste: jumping at
conclusions; an over weening readiness in
finding mares nests-or in hurrying the
exposure on an anticipated attempt to ex-
tend the area Of freedom?
Let US suppose that there is on foot-a
scheme for the liberation Of the Cubans--
for century past the most oppressed peo-
pie on this hemisphere-and suppose they
are so spied over, gagged and shackled,
that they cannot procure ON their Island
the first bayonet or cannon to turn against
their bloody enemy. VIII any Ame rican
blame them for gathering bayonets and
cannons otherwheres for their holy strug-
gle? Nay, further! will any American
inform against, or arrest an American who
may desire to go and help the Cubans to
free dom, as DeKalb, Steuben, Pulaski, and
Kosciusko, came to help US in our revolu-
lion? Most certainly not. The spirit of
the American people is Republican-lhey
believe in the oppressed being made free
everywhere, and whatever aid and coun-
tenance they render in times of revolution,
aviH not be for tyrants. The Govern
ment may wash the outside of the national
platter for FORMS sake, bnt the people in
their individual capacity will give hand
and heart-if they please-to assist Gu
bans, Mexicans, Hungarians, Canadians,
er Italians to freedom.
There was no protest against citizen
Avezzana's joining the Italian patriots-no
protest against citizen Lieut.. Mayne Reid's
joining the Hungarians-no protest against
the sympathisefs with Ireland; and why
protes, against an Americans going to
Cuba to battle for liberty? Is not Cuba
nearer to us than Italy, or Hungary-is
she not for many reasons dearer-are not
her people oppressed worse, if possible,
than Russian serfs? 1t may be said that
Hungary is at open war and has declared
her independence, therefore an American
is not q pirate, and does not forfeit his cli-
zenship in aiding her. We can tell such
sophists, that the Cubans, though without
weapons on their Island, are in arms!-
The war now RACES between liberty and
despotism there and the mere display o
bayones and the Declaration Of Independ
ence, would not change the moral of the
struggle at all, nor the character Of ar
Americans assistance rendered to the Gu
bans. Every one knows that this Gov
ernment cannot without breach Of treaties
take part or encourage revolution in Cubs
that same everyone knows also, tina
the American people would be base trait
o,s to faith holier than that Of treaties,
they did not take part and encourage, by
sympathy and good wishes, at least, wifi
every people striving against oppression
Such strife is the cause Of righl, of justice
and Of God!
Suppose too, that the Cubans strike fol
freedom, aided by patriot Americans, ane
fall; and that portion Of those Cuban:
and Americans fly for Asylum to the U
nlted States. Will this Government arres
them, and give them back to Spain?
would not think nor dare to arrest the Gu
bans-this Union is a shield for exile pat
riots-and would it dare to show favor tc
Cuban patriot which it denied 10 ar
American patriot. We should like tc
see the attempt made. The Government
has issued its proclamalon-for good rea.
sons we doubt not-and no one expects
that it will go to Cuba TO protect Ameri
cans joining Cuban revolutlon-and for
stronger reasons, no republican expects
that it will aid or protect Spanish Tyranny
beyond letting it alone. lfthe American
Government will not be over eager to Dol
ster up oppression, the Cuba patriots will
take care Of themselves, and render gooc
account. Bnt they cannot well fight botf
Spain and the United states.- ~ Y. San