The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-09-22
The Blockade Of Round Island.

The following is an extract OF an article
in relation to this affair, copied from the
Delta. Gen. Taylor and his Cabinet ap-
pear to catch it from every direction
Their acts, so far, have marked them as
the most imbecle Administration that has
ever possessed the reins of government in
this country. We are not of those who
particularly desire the acquisition of Cuba,
at least for the present; but we hold that
the proceedings taken by the government
officials, to interfere with the rights Of
American citizens, on American ground,
is highly censurable, and their acts will be
condemned by at least nine-tenths of the
independent citizens of this Republic -
The Delta says: [N Y. GLOBE.
"We deeply regret that Gen. Taylor's
administration, which we hoped to see a
popular one, connected with so rigorous
and over-zealous an interference with the
rights of the citizens. We question very
much if the Round Island blockaders will
be much thanked for their conduct No
resolution of thanks, we are satisfied, will
be offered them by Congress or the people.
The most strenuous of Gen. Taylor's
friends, here, think that he had done all
that was expected of him, when he issued
his proclamation, warning our citizens OF
the consequences of embarking in any ex-
pedition against foreign countries with
| which we were at peace, and in lnstructlng
our various civil authorities to take meas
ures to prevent violation Of the law
The employment of ships of war, and
resort to blockades and embargoes, upon
persons supposed to be engaged in such
violations Of law, are measures of such
unusual severity as to justify the inquiry
what obligation do we owe to Spain, or to
Cuba, that we should employ half a squad.
ron in violent interference with the rights
of our own citizens for their benefit! Such
proceedings meet with no approval in this
part of the country. They are calculated
to have banefhl influence upon the cause
of Cuban independence. The people o.
that island, not knowing the wide gul
which sometimes separates the Govern
ment and the people, in feeling at least
may be discouraged at this unusual dis.
play of rigor towards their supposed
friends and sympathizers. This is unfor-
tunate, indeed, as it may diminish our
claims to the consideration and credit oi
promoting a most laudable and, what we
regard, an inevitable enterprise; thatwhich
will eventuate in ridding the most beauti-
full island in the world Of the most cor
rupt and distasteful Government
Never were people so ripe, so well
prepared for a revolution, as those of Gu
ba now are. Among the Creoles, the
large majority ofthe people, there is per-
feet un unanimity on the subject. Many, too,
of the old Spaniards, men of property and
trade, begin to see the advantages which
such measure opens to them. Then
there are thousands of Americans who
would flock to the standard of revolt. The
regular soldiery of the country, not ex-
ceeding $4,000. are mere show-soldiers
who have no fidelity or affection for their
officers nor for the cause which they are
starved and ill-reated to uphold. At the
first fire, they will lay down their arms,
or 20 over to the enemy. All that the peo-
ple require is leader and nucleus o1
five or ten thousand good fighting men
Such a force and such an enterprise, there
was few months since, man who was
eminently fitted to lead and command
The fell pestilence which deprived this
country of the eagle-eyed Worth, snatchec
from Cuba, one, who by his ardor in he1
cause as we'll as by his brilliant courage
and military qualities. would have ensured
to her struggle brilliant result. But th'
occasion will yet produce the man-tht
Washington or the Kossuth of Cuba.