The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31
Intern.t,on.l obli9.tion.,

| The sound public sentiment of the country,
as expressed in the best journals throughout the
land, comes promptly and strongly up to the
support Of the Administration in its firm main
| tenance Of the supremacy of law and the faith
Of treaties, both Of which were threatened with
violation by the desperate invaders Of Cuba. If
any querulous voice of dissatisfaction is heard,
il is heard only from organs
tangled, out Of tune, and harsh"
II there Were no provisions Of law to enforce
the observance Of the reciprocal duties of cour-
tesy amity, and the recognition Of mutual rights
among friendly nations; if there were no trea-
ties recognising those duties, and STIMULATING for
the performance Of them; if, for example, our
statute book were blank on the subject Of inter-
national obligations, and the act Of 1918 had
never been passed-still, Notwithstanding such
omissions, if it could be supposed that such
omissions were possible, the necessary condi-
tons Of civilization would yet demand tho sup
preston Of hostile aggressions by lawless indi-
viduals, or organizations in any country, against
the peace, the rights, and the sovereignty Of
another country in times Of peace.
The act Of 1918 is but supplementary, as
il were, TO the laws Of nations; IL is corollary
to our treaties Of friendship and concord. The
President has been denounced in some quar-
tiers for the fixed determination he has shown
to enforce this law in the suppression Of an
unlawful organization got up in our country
against the Island Of Cuba-a peaceful island
from which we have received no molestation,
and which is under government friendly and
DESTROYS Of remaining friendly. Il is denied
that the EXECUTIVE has the constitutional
power TO send the naval forces Of the United
States 10 intercept an expedition which, he had
every reason 70 believe, had left our shores with
hostile designs upon Cuba. No constitutional
power2 Is not the flag Of the Republic under
the guardianship Of the Government every
wherel When adventures on the high seas.
or in a foreign country at peace with us, at
tempt to degrade il for purposes Of pillage or
revolution, with the accompanying outrages Of
war and slaughter, shall the authority Of the
Government be questioned TO arrest such viola
tors of the peace Of nationsl Are we as peo-
pie 10 connive at such atrocities, and thus par
ticipate in their guile A band Of men, some
| FIVE or six hundred in number, leave our ports
in American vessels, and make descent upon
| the Island Of Cuba. at a time when profound
peace PREVAILS they attack Spanish town,
burn the government house and plumber the
public treasury; they encounter an opposing
force, and numbers are killed and wounded on
both sides n this be not an enterprise Of most
lawlcss outrage, what is itl
We are very well aware that public sym
Pathy has been challenged in behalf Of these
invaders, upon the ground that they embarked
in crusade in the cause Of freedom and the
political enemies Of the Administration have
taken advantage Of the occasion to charge the
President with interfering to uphold the des-
Potism Of Spain. This is all from the purpose.
There was no struggle going on in Cuba be-
tween the people and the Spanish authorities
none, whatever nor have the inhabitants Of
Cuba, so far as our knowledge goes, manifested
any serious intention at any time Of throwing
of their allegiance TO Spain.
But, in any event, the Government Of the
! United States could not. permit it's obligations