The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-12-09

But what gives peculiar crimnaity TO lhi
Invasion Of Cuba. is that under the lead o
Spanish subjects and wnh the aid Of citizen
OF The u. 81. II had ils origin, with many, il
motives Of cupidity. Money was advanced b.
| individuals. probably in considerable amounts
to purchase Cuban bonds. as they have bee
called issued by Lopez. Sold doubtless, at
very large discount, aud for the payment @
which the public lands aud public property o
Cuba, OF whatever kind, aud the fiscal resour.
| ces of the people and government of that is
| land. from whatever source to be derived were
| pledged, as well as tho good faith Of the gov.
ernment expected 10 be established. All these
OF payment it is evident, were only to be OBJ
tanned by process of boodsheI, war; and rev
olution. None will deny tha, those who set OF
foot military expeditions against foreign State.
by means like these. are far more capable thar
the igoran, and the necessitons whom they n
duce 10 60 forth as the ostensible psrti as n III,
proceeding. These orginators OF the Invasion
Of Cuba seem 10 have determined, with cool
ness and system. upon an undertaking whiei
disgrace their country, violate :ts laws, and pu
10 hazard the lives OF Uniformed and deludet
men. You will consider whether further leg.
islation be necessary to prevent the preparation
of such offences in future.
No individuals have right TO hazard the
peace of the country or violate its laws upon
vague notions OF Altering or reforming govern
m .nts in other States. This principle is not
only reasonable in ITSELF bur ia accordance with
public law. but is engraiied into the codes oi
other nations as well our own. Blu, while
such the senlimonis of this Government,
II may bo added that every independent nation
must be presumed TO be able TO defend is pos
session against unauthorized individuals baud
ed together TO attack them. The Government
of the United Statos AT all times since rs es.
adjustment, has abstained and has sought 10
restrain the citizens OF the country from enter
ing into controversies with other powers, and
10 observe all The duties Of neutrality. AT an
early period of the Government in the admin
isiralion Of Washington, several laws were pass
ed for this purpose The main provisions of
these laws were ie- enacted by he act Of April
1918. by which, amongst other things, il was
declared that lany person shall, within the ter
riiory or jurisdiction Of the United States. be
gin. or set on foot or provide. or prepare the
means for any military expedition or enterprise
10 be carried on from thence against the terri
tory or dominion Of an7 foreign prince or State
or uf any colony, district or people with whom
the United Ststos are at peace. every person
so offending shall be deemed guilty OF high
misdemeaGOr. and shall be fined, not exceeding
three thousand dollars, and imprisoned not
mofe than three years; and this law has been
executed and enforced, to the fall extent of the
power st the Government, from that dAy to this
In proolaiming and adhearing TO the doetrin
OF neutrality and non-interveniion, the United
States have not followed the lead of other civ
ilizod nations; they have taken the lead them
selves, aud have been followed by others
This was admitted by one Of the most eminent
mOdern British statesmen, who said that Par
IL A
wished for a guide in the system Of neulrallly'
lie should take that laid down by America lG
the DAYS of Washington and the secretaryship
Of Jeffctson," and we see, in fact, that the act
Of Congress Of 1918 was followed, the succeed
ing yoar, by an act Of the Parliament of Eng
lard, substantially the same 10 its general pro-
visions. Up TO that time there had been no
similar law in England excepting certain high
~ penal statutes passed in the reign OF George
H., prohibiting Engllsh suject from eDlisting
IN foreign service, the aVowed object Of which
statutes was that irreign armies, raised for The
purpose Of restoring The house Of Stuart to
The thron, should not be streaugthed BY 10
cruils from England herself
All must see that difficulties may arise in
carving the laws referred To into execution in
a country now having three or -four thousand
miles of sea cost. with an iuiinite number Of
ports and haIbors, and small nlets, from some
"f which unlawful expeditions may suddenly
set forth, without the knowledge Of government
against the possessions Of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all. but entangling
alliances with none, has long been maxim
with us. Our true mission is not to propagate
our opinions, or impose upon other countries
our form Of government, by artifice, or force,
but to teach by example, and show by our sue
cess, 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 institutions to
suit its own convenience and condition. But
which we avow and maintain this neutral policy
ourselves, we are anxious 10 sec the same for
bearaUcc on tho part of other nations, whose
forms of government arc different from our
own. The deep interest which we feel in tho
spread of liberal principles and the establish
mont of free governments, and the sympathy
with which we witness every struggle against
oppression, forbid that we should be indifferent
to case in which the strong arm ofa foreign
power ia invoked to stiflo public sentiments, and
repress the spirit of freedom in any country.
The Governments Of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their naval COM
mqnders on The West India station, to preve at
by force, if necessary, the landing Of adventur-
ers from any nation on the island of Cuba, with
hostile intent, The copy off memorandum ot
a conversation on this subject, between the
Charge d'Affalres of her Brtanic Majesty and
the acting Secretary of State and of subse-
quent note of the former to the Department of
State. arc herewith submitted. together with
a copy of note of the Acting Secretary of
State. in the Minister of the French Republic,
and of tho reply of the latter, on the same sub
ject. These papers will acquaint you with the
grounds of this nterposition of the two leading
commercial powers of Europe, and With the
apprehensions which this Government could
not fail to entertain, that such lnterpostion, II
carried into effect, might lead to abuses in de-
rogation Of tho mararime rights of the United
States. The maratime rights of the United
States are founded on firm, secure. and vel
defined basis; they stand upon the ground o.
national Independence and public law. and viii
be maintained In all their full and just extent
The principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced il still adheres