Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-06-25

set il at naugit, whether they be lndImI-
.ual:, newspapers, books, institutions or
parties, can enjoy at least but local. un-
certain, and ephemeral popularity. With
The real appreciation of none they ensure
The final condemnation Of all.
Toillusrale the general principle will
take a case upon which l suppose the pub,
lie Judgment to be very nearly unanimous
the invasion Of Cuba. II may be said
The government, of Spain is stupid and des-
po,ic, have no doubt i! is both. might
have neighbor OF whom the same could
be said in his domestic administration, and
| might think 10 extend the area Of free
dom by taking iorcible possession of his
estates and dependents, though at The eX-
Ipense Of as many of their lives as should
he found necessary. But the Cubans
wish to be free. This appears to be
mistake. They are loyal and contenteJ.
But suppose they do wish TO lie free--do
not Northern fanancs putin the same plea
Tor their schemes to extend the area of
freedom Their efforts we Justly regard
as an evolution of The spirit OF ryranny and
despoIism; an unwiilingness that others
should have their own way about their
own affairs.
Bun here comes a desperate foreigner,
called General Lopez, who, we are cred
IDLY informed, has spent his whole life in
fighting to extend the area Of tyranny and
oppression, and in that service become
bankrupt in means and character. This
man becomes all at once a patriot. A
lover of what country it does not appear,
but Il PARROT in general, enamOured OF
freedom, and looking about for theatre
upon which this passion may find relief
fixes upon the rich Island Of Cuba.
lie makes our country rendezvous,
collects band Of aliens of desperate for
tunes, together with some of our own cit
zens, of like character and few others
by deception, and in violation of the laws
Of every civilized country, skulkng from
the authorities Of the United States he cS-
.clpes to the high seas where lie and his
accompices, under no government. ac-
Iknowledging no law but their OWN viii
are properly hos'es humani gcncris.
With no fault on the part Of Cuba but her
riches and her supposed weakness, they
fall upon one Of her towns at dead OF
night, Burning its houses and numbering
lis people. But these people prove all to
he patriotic, not one betraying their coun-
ny or encouraging in he least their very
Iis,niereSicd dcliverars. The piraticaI
horde was dispersed with shame and loss,
some few falling into the hands OF the civil
authorities with larger number Of their
accomplces.
How our government would have treat.
ed the persons concerned under like cir.
Icumsranccs nobody doubts for a moment
1t was with difficulty that Mcleod was
acquitted with all the interest of the ledc.
raj executive in TIE local court. VIVA
chance then would there have been for lhc
.aptured accompIices Of piratcaI nva.
SION, such as General Alcoy calchcd al
Conloy. But il appears that these hap.
iess geniuscs have not been hung up 10y
the thumbs, or hung up by the toes, or
hung up at all, but they are comfortably
IN jail, wiih prospect Of getting out mnch
raslcr than they deserve ar than they
would do if under Ike circumstances they
had found themselves in France or Eng
land. That they nay be paTdoued most
incerely desire. Ii these uniornnale-
should be 50 favored and return to their
Iown country TO which they have done so
'Iiale credit they viii doubtless be excused
or coveiing retirement, or even desiring to
change lh"lr names.
But any commentator Of such charac-
'ers is not only degrading to ourselves but
tends to sap the foundation Of public NOR
/ as.
TO hear Ibis Lopez and lis associates
spoken Of in terms that would be aPPlica-
BE TO Gen. Washington and his comPan-
IONS, must awaken feeling Of shame and
vir uous Indignation in every honest mind.
/ /: we have any symPalhies TO bestow in
his case would hunlJIy suggest as prop