The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-12-11

! after, and executed on the Ist OF Septem-
Der. Many of his remaining followers
were killed, or died of hunger and fatigue
and the rest were made prisoners. Oi
these, none appear to have been tried or
executed. Several of them were pardon
ed upon application of their friends and
others, and the rest, about one hundred
and sixty in number, were sent to Spain.
OF the final disposition made of these We
have no official information.
Such is the melancholy result of this IL
legal and ill-fated expedition. Thus,
thoughtless young men have been induced,
by false and fraudulent representations, to
violate the law of their country, through
rash and unfounded expectations of as
sisting to accomplish political revolutions
in other States, and have lost their lives
in the undertaking. Too severe judg-
ment can hardly be passed, by the indig-
nant sense of the community, upon those
who, being better informed themselves,
have yet led away tho ardor of youth and
an i'll directed love of political liberty
The correspondence between this Govern
ment and that of Spain relating to this
transaction is herewith communicated.
Although these offenders against the
laws have forfeited the protection of their
country, yet the government may, so far
as is consistent with is obligations to 9th
er countries, and its fixed purpose to main
tain and enforce the laws, entertain SYM
pathy for their unoffending families and
friends, as we'll as feeling of compassion
for themselves. Accordingly no proper
effort has been spared, and none will
be spared, to procure the release of such
citizens of the United States, engaged in
this unlawful enterprise, as are now in con-
fnemeut in Spain /; but it is to be- hoped
that such interposition with the govern
ment of that country may not be consid-
cred as affordehg any ground of expecta-
ton that the Government of the United
States will, hereafter, feel itself under any
! obligation of duty to intercede for the lib.
Grafton or pardon of such persons as are
fragrant Offenders against the law of ma
tions and the laws of the United States
These laws must be executed. If we de-
sire to maintain our responsibility among
the nations of the earth, it behoyes us to
enforce steadily and sternly the neutrali-
ty acts passed by Congress, and to follow
as far as may be the violation of those
acts with condign punishment.
But what gives peculiar criminality to
this invasion of Cuba is that under the
lead of Spanish subjects and with the aid
of citizens of the U. States, it had its oeigin
with many, in motives of cupidity. Mon.
ey was advanced by individuals, probably
in considerable amounts, TO purchase Gu
ban bonds, as they have been called, issu.
ed by Lopez, sold doubtless, at very
large discount, and for the payment Of
which the public lands and public proper
! ty of Cuba, of whatever kind, and thefs.
cal resources of the people and govern.
ment of that island, from whatever source
to be derived, were pledged, as well as the
good faith of the government expected to
be established. all these means of pay.
ment, it is. evident, were only to be OBJ
tanned by process of bloodshed, war, and
revolution. None will deny that those
who set on foot military expeditions a.
gainst foreign States by means like these
are far more culpablc than the ignorant
and the necessitous whom they induce t.
go forth as tho ostensible parties in tho
proceeding. These originators of the in
vasion of Cuba seem to have determined
with cooness and system, upon the un
dertaking which should disgrace theil
country, violate its laws, ane put to hazart
the lives of ill-informed and deluded men
You will consider whether further legisla
tion be necessary to prevent the perpetra
tion of such offences in future.
/. No individuals have right to lazart
the peace of the country or to violate it
laws upon vague notions of altering or re
forming governments in other States
This principle is not only reasonable in it
self, and in accordance with public law
but is engrafted into the codes of othe
nations as we'll as our own. But Will
such are the sentiments of this Govern
ment, it may be added that every inde
pendent nation must be presumed to b
able to defend its possessions against un
. authorized individuals banded together
attack them. The government of the I
States, at all times since its establishment
. has abstained and has sought to restrai
! the citizens of the country, from enterin
into controversies between other power!
, and to observe all the duties of neutral
ty. AT an early poriod of the Govern
ment, in the administration of Washing
ton, several laws were passed for this pun
! pose. The main provisions of these law
were re-enacted by the act of April, 1sI
by which, amongst other things, it was de
clared that if any person shall, within th
territory or jurisdiction of the Unite
/ States, begin, or set on foot, or provide, q
prepare the means for any military expe
dition or enterprise to be carried on fror
r thence against the territory or dominic
of any foreign prince or State, or any GO
} ony, district, or people with whom Che I
: States are at peace, every person SO offend
7 ing shall be deemed guilty of high mis-
, demeanor, and shall be fined, not exceed
, ing three thousand dollars, and imprisor
. ed not more than three years and thi
: law has been executed and enforced,
the full extent of the power Of the 60,
: ernment, from that day to this.
: In proclaiming and adhering to the dot
, trine of neutrality and non-interventiol
the United States have not followed ti
{ lead of other civilized nations: thew hay