Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-06-29
THE CUBAN INVADERS.

lHe Urand jury oil the united OtateS |
Court, at New Orleans, have found a true
bill against Gen. Lopez, Ex-Governor Hen
derson, Gov. Quitman, Judge Pinckney
and eleven others, for violating the neutral
ity laws. II is painful TO us to see such
distinguished men arranged for such crime,
men whose public stations and trusts ought
to have placed them beyond the control Of
such motives as led to the expedition. To
some of them was committed the admins
tration of the laws they were the first TO
break. They were looked up TO by the
community, and their example has been
the means of leading many to embark in
this scheme; some of whom have already
forfeited their lives. To whom can we
confde the administration of our laws and
the guidance ofpublic affairs, when Cover
nors and Judges, high executive and judicial
officers, project and aid in carrying out ex-
petitions for piracy and plunder. What
obedience can be expected from the people
when officers thus hold themselves out as
the leaders OF insubordination Where can
we look for safety when those who have
sworn to administer the laws excite and en-
courage nsurrection II is a sight which
must Sicken the heart of honest men who
love their country and her institutions,
Theirs is spirit which must bring rum and
disgrace upon the country. Unless it is
promptly checked by the swift and severe
punishment of those guilty, we may as well
have no laws, no government, but live like
Turks and Arabs upon the spoils of weaker
nations.
The avowed object of the invaders was
to rescue Cuba from Spanish tyranny and
oppression. Their secret intention was to
get gold, glory and influence in that island.
The whole scheme was one grand specua-
ton from the beginning. Soldiers were
enlisted for eXorbitant wages to be paid,
upon the contingency of success, out of the
spoils. Officers were easily procured under
the same golden expectations. And yet
they would have the world believe that.
from pure love of liberty and disnterested
: sympathy with the enslaved, they risked
the perils Of war and the garote, by landing
f in Cuba, and bravcd the consequences OF
crime by concocting and aiding the expedi-
ton at home. What sympathy they de-
, serve from peaceful and law-abiding citizen.
we can no! say. Ifa party of abolitionst.
were TO make an incursion into Maryland
r attack and murder planter, and plumber hi
house for the purpose of giving his slave.
: freedom, they would undoubtedly be hung
| ifapprehended, and they would deserve it
/ But they have the same right to do this a
the "OuSd Owls" had to invade Cuba. The
!, only difference is that the latter intcnde,
=. to plunder on an extensive and wholcsal,
system.
e We hope the accused will undergo an i'm
= partial trial, unbiased by morbid sympathy
a lfthcy are guilty they ought TO pay the pen
= atty of guilt, and the punishment should b,
e heavier in proportion to the rank and inhu
e ence of the criminal. Whoever contribu
ted his aid in this expedition deserves Sc
we're punishment. Not only didthey breal
:, the laws ofthe United States, but their con
: duct might have involved the country in
y war and caused the sacrifice of numerou
: and valuable lives. Ifthey are not punish
: ed, we shall have bands of marauders set
IS ting out upon similar excursions every year
There are always men ready to show thei
+ bravery and spirit in bloodshed rather thai
: earn an honest living, and unless the Law
are enforced against them, we shall max
the United States prolific brooding plac
n of pirates. The high standing of Governo
: Quitman and Ex-Governor Henderson
n should make them mark for, not shiel
;s them from, punishment.