American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

considered as affording any ground Of expectation
that the Government of the United States will here
after, feelsefunder any obligation of duty tointer-
cede for the liberation pardon of such persons as
are fragrant offenders against the law of nations and
the laws Of the United States. These laws must
be executed. II we desire to maintain our re-
spectability among the nations of the earth, be-
hoyes US to enforce steadily and sternly the neu.
trality acts passed by Congress- and to follow, as
far as may be, the violation of those acts with con-
dign punishment
But what gives peculiar criminality to this in
yasion of Cuba is, that under the lead Of Spanish
subjects and with the aid of citizens of the United
States, it had its origin, with many, in motives
of cupidity. Money advanced by indivi
duas, probably in considerable amounts, to pur-
chase Cuban bonds, they have been called,
issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, at 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 people and go.
vernment of that island from whatever source to be
derived, were pledged as well the good faith OF
the government expected to be established. All
these means of payment, it is evident, were only
to be obtained by process of bloodshed, war, and
foot military expeditions against foreign by
means like these, are far more culpable than the
ignorant and the necessitous whom they induce to
go forth as the ostensble 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 coun-
try violate its laws, and put to hazard the lives of
ill-informed and deludcd men. You will consider
whether further legislation be necessary to prevent
the preparation Of such offences in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace
of the country or TO violate its laws upon vague
notions of altering reforming governments in
other States. This principle is not only reasonable
in ITSELF and in accordance with public law, but is
cngrafted into the codes of other nations as well
as own. But while such are the sentiments
of this Government, it may be added that every
independent nation must be presumed to be able to
defend it's possessions against unauthorized indi-
viduals banded together to attack them The
Government of the United States, at all times
since its establishment, has abstained and has
sought to restrain the citizens of the country, from
entering into controversies between other powers,
and to observe all the duties of neutrality. AT an
early period of the Government, in the adminstra-
ton of Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions of these laws
were 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, set foot, provide,
or prepare the for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried from thence against the
territory or dominion of any foreign prince or
&c with
whom the United States at peace, every person
so offending shall be deemed guilty of high mis-.
demsanor, and shall be fined, not exceeding three
thousand dollars, and imprisoned not more than
three years; and this law has been executed and
enforced to the full extent of the power of the Gov
eminent, from that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine of
neutrality and non-intervention, the United States
have not followed the lead of other civilized
tons; they have taken the lead themselves, and
have been followed by others. This was admitted
by one of the most eminent of modern British
statesmen, who said in Parliament, while min
lister of the crown, % that, if he wished for
guide in system of neutrality, he should take
that laid down by America in the days of Wash
ington and the sccretaryship of Jefferson;' and
1918 was followed, the succeeding year, by an act
of the Parliament of England, substantially the
same in its general provisions. Up to that time
there had been no similar law in England, ex-
cept certain highly penal statutes passed in the
reign of George H., prohibiting English subjects
from ensting in foreign service, the avowed OBJ
lect of which statutes was, that foreign armies,
raised for the purpose of restoring the house of
Stuart to the throne, should not be strengthened
by recruits from England herself
All must see that difficulties may arise in carry
ing the laws referred to into execution in a coun
try now having three or four thousand miles of sea-
coast, with an infinite number of ports and har-
bors and small inlets, from some of which unlaw-
fu expeditions may suddenly set forth, without the
knowledge of Government, against the posses
sions of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but entangling al
lances with none, has long been maxim with US.
Our true mission is not to propagate our opinions,
impose upon other countries our form of gov
eminent, by artifce or force; but to teach by cx.
ample, and show by success, moderation and
JUSTICE the blessings of self government, and the
advantages of free institutions. Let every people
choose for ITSELF and make and alter its political in
stiutions to suit it's condition and convenience.
Bot, while we avow and maintain this neutral pol
icy ourselves, we anxious to see the same for.
bearance the part Of other nations, whose forms
of government are different from our own. The
deep interest which feel in the spread of liberal
principles and the establishment Of free govern
ments, and the sympathy with which we witness
every struggle against oppression, forbid that we
should be Indifferent to a in which the strong