Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-05-22
The CUBA ExPED1T1oN.-For some weeks,

LIE TUBA GAfEDlllON.-Io VI oO"o "SSnS,
says the Crescent, there have been whispers
floating in the city that a descent was shortly to
be made on this lovely island by an American
army. Young men Of spirit and strength
many of them of education and high social po-
sition-assembled about the fashionable hotels
while many ofthe veterans of the Mexican war
! were again seen in their old haunts. But while
rumor was rife, evidence was wanting, and the
conductors of the press, with commendable
prudence, declined to publish mere suspicious.
The Spanish Consul was on the alert, and not
a vessel sailed for Chagres that did not under
go a jealous scrutiny. At last the crowd who
had rufHed SO gayly at the Verandah and st.
Charles all atonce disappeared, sthe swallows
vanish in a night. Now from all quarters
comes the intelligence that this mastering and
preparation really was for Cuba. It can no
longer be doubted, that a host Of gallant
young men are now on ther passage, not to
conquer and ravage the Island, but to aid the
enslaved people in their efforts to shake off
the calling yoke of foreign tyranny. No troops
have been levied, no military organization
openly formed, they have left as citizens: what
/ ever organization does take place will be when
they are beyond the iiimiitss Of the United states:
And what American does not wish them SSoa
speeds They go on the same Grand which led
Lafayette across the ocean in the darkest hour
of our own struggle. The same spirit burns
in them which animated Montgomery on the
plains of Quebec, and Pulaski at the walls of
| Savannah, or Steuben at the fatal field of Cam
den. It is true no blow has yet been struck,
but in modern warfare, the commencement OF
the war is in the collection Of the funds neces-
sary to conduct a campaign. Robert Morris,
though he welded but the pen, was second on
" to Washington in the value Of services rem
dered to his country. When the Cubans raised
their millions to feed and arm the soldiers who
were to come to their aid, that moment the re-
~yolution commenced. What will be the issue
is uncertain. IF 5000 men effect a landing'
they will be able to hold their ground against
them. The men who are engaged in this "for-
lorn hope" are desperate-they know the GER
tain and ignominious death which awaits fail
ure, and they wllsnot fail.
eIn brief, a drawer choice Of daintless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have watt DER,
Did never float upon the swelling tide"
1t is strange that while such sympathy has
been felt in the struggles for European liberty
any portion of our people should view with
indifference the sutferings Of the Cubans. At
the South, however, there is but one feeling,
that of intense interest in the success OF these
gallant Americans. Aside from the feelings OF
sympathy however, the Independence of Cuba
and its consequent annexation is a question OF
great importance to the South and West. Gu
ba properly belongs to the nation who holds
the Continent. 1t is the key, not merely to the
Gulf of Mexico, bat to the ualey Of the Mississip-
ri, This owner ofthe treasure house should
hold the key. Spain cannot much longer re-
tain it, and by negotiation Or by conquest il
must be re-anneyed to the Continent. Ameri.
can gold or American steel must be the consl
deration of the transfer. The great powers oil
Europe would not permit either, to obtain pos
session of this important position, which, with
the railroad or the canal, must become Of in.
finite more importance than heretofore. But
they will all consent that the U. States shall
hold it, and with or without their consent W e
are bouud to have and keep it. Canada and
Cuba will be admitted into the Union by the
same act. -z.aiE, s