Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-10

pathy fortheir unofending families and
friends, as well as a feeling of compassion
for themselves. Accordingly no proper
effort has been spared, and none will be
spared, to procure the release of such cit
liens of the United States, engaged in this
unlawful enterprise. as are now in con-
inement in Spain; but it is to be hoped
that such interpretation With the govern
men Of that country may not be consider
ed as affording any ground of expectation
that the Government of the United STATES
will, hereafter, feel itself under any QUIZ
cation of duty to intercede for the IDeIa-
fion or pardon of such persons as are ma
Grant offenders against the law OF nations
snd tbo laws of the United States. These
1--we t ~, must be executed, If we desire to
MAINTAIN our responsibility among the
nations of the earth, it behoyes us to en-
Il force steadily and sternly the neutrality
acts passed by Congress, and to follow,
as far as may be, the violation of those
acts with condign punishment '
But what gives peculiar criminalty to
this invasion of Cuba is, that under the
lead of Spanish subjects, and with the
aid of citizens of the United States, 1t
had its origin with many; in motives of
cupidity. Money was advanced by indvid-
uats, probably in considerable amounts,
to purchase Cuban bonds, as they have
been called, issued by Lopez, sold doubt
less, at a very large discount, and for the
payment of which the public lands and
public property of Cuba, of whatever
kind and the fiscal resources of the peo-
ple and government Of that island, from
whatever source to be derived, were
pledged, MS well as the good faith Of inc
Government expected to be established
An the means Of payment, it is evident,
were only to be obtained by q process of
bloodshed, war, and revolution, None
will deny that those who set on foot mil
tary expeditions against foreign States by
means like these, arc far more culPable
than the ignorant and tho necessitous
whom they induce to go forth, as the os-
tensible parties in the proceeding. These
originators of the invasion of Cuba seem
to have determined, with GOODNESS and
system upon an undertaking which should
disgrace their country. violate its laws,
and put to hazard the lives of ill-inform-
ed and deluded men. You will consider
whether further legislation be necessary
to prevent the preparation of such often
ccs in future.
No individuals have right to hazard
the peace of the country, or to violate its
laws upon vague notions of altering or
reforming governments in other States.
The principle is not only reasonable in it
SELF and in accordance with public law,
but is engrafted into the codes of other
nations as well as our own. But while
such are the sentiments of this govern
ment, it may be added that every indie
pendent nation must be presumed to be
able to defend its possessions against unau-
thorized individuals banded together to
attack them. The Government of the
/ United States, at all times since its etsab
! lishment, has abstained and has sought to
restrain the citizens of the country, from
entering into controversies between
other powers, and to observe all the du-
ties of neutrality. AT an early period of
the Government, in the administration of
Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions Of
these laws were re-enacted by the act of
April, 1918, by which, amongst other
things, it was declared that if any person
SHALL within the territory or jurisdiction
of the United States, begin, or set on
foot, or provide or prepare the means for
any military expedition or enterprise to
be carried on from thence against the ter
ritory or dominion of any foreign prince
or State, or of any colony, district or pco-
pie with whom the United States are at
peace, every person SO offending shall be
fined, not exceeding three Thousand dol
lars, and be imprisoned not more than
three years and this law has been exc
cuted and enforced to the full extent OF
the power of the Government, from that
day to this
In proclaiming and adhering to the
doctrine of neutrality and non intcrven-
| ton, the United States have not followed
| the lead of other civilized nations they
have taken the lead themselves and have
been followed by others, This was ad-
mitted by one of the most eminent OF
modern British statesmen, who said in
Parliament, while minister of the crown,
"that if he wished for guide in a sys-
tenn of neutrality, he should take that
laid down by America in the days of
Washington, and the secretaryship of
Jefferson - and we see in fact that the
act of Congrass of 1918 was followed,
the succeeding year. by an act of the Par
lament of England, substantially the
same in its general provisions. Up to
that time there had been no similar law
in England, except certain highly penal
statutes passed in the reign of George II,
prohibiting English subjects from enlis-
ting in foreign service, the avowed object
of which statutes was, that foreign ar
mics raised for the purpose of restoring
the house Of Stuart 10 the throne, should
not be strengthened by recruits from Eng
land herself
All must see that difficulties may arise
in carrying the laws referred to into exc