The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-26
From he Ne,o orIean. BulIstin.
cuba and tho Administration.

Cuba and the Administration
The course of the Administration in making
the necessary provisions, and taking the proper
steps to maintain the nviolability of our rela-
tions with a country with which we are at
peace, has given offence TO the friends of the
Cuba movement. This is natural enough,
however unfounded and unreasonable may be-
their objections. But the opportunity was too
good one for trading politicians and political
hacks, Indifferent as they are and may be TO
the condition of the oppressed Cubans, TO let
slip; and they have rayenously bounced upon
it, with the bright hope of making capital out
of an assumed act of usurpaion of the Execu
tive, and an outrage on the sympathies of the
people. To this class of impracticables, Mr..
FILLMORE would have made himself equally
Objectionable had he winked at the demonstrations
of the Cuba sympathizers, and connived at and en-
couraged their several efforts to give aid and COM
fort to the unfortunate victims of Spanish oppres-
sion. He would then have been denounced as
camorously by these pseudo friends Of liberty for
neglect of official duty he is now for transcend-
ing it. Under no circumstances would Mr.. FILL
MORE give these people satisfaction and for the all
sufficient reason that he is Wing President.
We have seen no one yet who does not wish well
to the Cuban cause All are free to admit that the
inhabitants of that fair and lovely island have an
absolute natural right to determine for themselves
and TO adopt such form OF government as in
their judgment is best adapted to their social and
political condition, and to the promotion of their
happiness. We are the last people on Gods earth
who, having exercised and practically illustrated
the truth of the political aphorsm of the capacity
Of self. government, to deny the right to others.
We want Cuba to be free, but it must be by her
own efforts, with the aid of others who may consist
emily and properly renderit without violating the
laws, or the obligations they owe to their own
country. In their efforts of liberation from
the tyranny and oppression of the mother coun-
try the inhabitants of Cuba have tho sympa-
thies and good wishes of millions of the Anne
rican people, and thousands of stout hearts and
strong arms will be at their service, when it is
certained that themselves have struck blow for
freedom. But in giving this support we are not to
compromit ourselves or our country We are to
preserve good faith, and regard the obligations
which owe to our own, as well as to the gov
eminent with which weare maintaining peaceful re-
lations The duty of our citizens in this respect is
clearly defined by the laws OF the land, and they
cannot be violated with impunity; in this instance,
however commendable the spirit or design, as in
thousands of others, the citizen Is not free agent,
acting from his will or volition, but he is re-
strained and circumscrbed by the laws ofthe coun-
try to which he owes his allegiance
AS it is the duty of the citizen to obey, 30 is it
made equally the duty of the Executive to see that
the laws faithfully executed; and this he is
bound to do by his oath of Office. Mr.. FILLMORE
has done, and will do. nothing more than what he
is required to do, and for which he will be fully
justified. His powers, likewise, are plainly de-
fined and easily interpreted; the law of 1918,
bearing upon this subject, is full and explicit,
and the President is not the man to usurp authori
ty, than he is to shun responsibility. He is eau
tious in deliberation, wise in council. and prompt
and firm in action, and he has the advantage of able
and judcious counseors; two of his constitutional
advisers, his Secretary Of State and Attorney Cen
cral, may be safely trusted as expounders of the
law. tits then not an extravagant assumption to
admit that Mr. FILLMORE himself, eminent law
yer, with such wise coadjutors, is fully competent
to interpret the laws, and arrive at proper esti-
mate of the extent of his official prerogatve.
1t ia a shallow device and paltry trick Of party
not of the true friends OF Cuba) to beguile the sim
pie and creduous into the belief that President
FILLMORE, in dischargng his prescribed duty, is
usurpng authority with which he is not constitu-
tionaly invested