The southern press., 1851-08-27
PRESS.
WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 27, 1861.
CUBA.


Whatever may be the opinions Of Americans,
respecting tho character Of the invasion OF Cuba
by volunteers from this country, there can be
but one feeling on reading the details Of the
horrible massacre committed at Havana
We are not for justifying interference with
neighboring and friendly StAtes but we are
against hastily styling the invaders apirate u;
inasmuch as they have been invited By the in.
habitants, backed BY the strongest assurances OF
support. aud urged by snsrssties to aid in liber-
ating them from oppression and tyranny.
Rash and enthusiastic men have listened to
these appeals. They have been met by the
agents Of oppression with resolution. and those
who have fallen into their ruthless hands, have
paid the penalty of their venture with their lives.
All war is piracy, except in national defence.
If ever there were pirates, kings and generals
have been SUCH Their invasions were piraticai
in the truest sense, because no good end was to
be served nothing but plunder, vengeance and
ambition Of the worst kind, was to be gratiiied
by them. Here, however, is what many will
call legitimate aud good result TO be attained
the libesation OF beautiful country from the
caprice and oppression of distant government.
The invaders are invited by the inhabitants,
whose grievances are made known to them, and
the success Of the enterprise would be hailed
with pleasure, we do not hesitate to say, by the
whole world
The men have gone-not to plunder, not to
devastate country, not TO rob friends or foes, or
insult women, Common crimes of invading ar
mies) to rescue people long painting for
liberty. Such men do not deserve the epithei
Of pirates; and Americans will be the last to APP
ply 1t to men who risk their lives in 20 glorious
cause.
It's the fashion to talk of neutrality, and YET to
treat Legitimate acts the despotic interference
Of European powers with the rights of other
natior seeki..g freedom. Surely freemen have
as much right to take sides actively with the
oppressed, as the despot with the oppressor.-
Indeed. the right is justified by the fact that it is
in the ssuse Of humanity.
The latest Intelligence from Cuba is of 80
contradictory character that we must wait for
another arrival before putting confidence in the
accounts circulated of the triumph of IoPLz on
the one hand, or of his capture on the other.
We would fan hope in his success, for the
sake of the lives Of so many Of our countrymen
engaged in the enterprise. The accounts of the
brutal treatment of the bodies after the massacre,
seem, from the letters published by the N. Y.
Herald, to be too true. We regret it for the
sake of humanity. 1t would have been prudent
the part Of the captain general, had he caused
trial of the captured men to take place, if only
for forms sake. There would have been less
excitement here, and less excuse for more de-
termined interference on behalf of the cause for
which these unfortunate men suffered.
What will tho Cabinet do under the present
circumstances! Will it demand an explanation
for the insulting conduct of Spanish officers to
the Falcon! Will itspprove the conduct of our
consul at Havana Will it consider the mas.
sacre of American citizens without trial, justi-
fable act Will it send the war steamers Of the
republic to aid in maintaining the worst form
Of government in the world 2"
Should the colonial authorities be worsted,
and endeAvor, in consequence, to put into exc
cution the threat of making Cuba ST. Domingo,
the Interference, we believe, Of this country,
would he absolutely unavoidable.