Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

subjects and with the aid of citizens of the United
States, it had it origin, with many in motives of
cupidity Money was advanced by individuals,
probably in considerable amounts. to purchase Gu
ban bonds, as they have been called, issued by
Lopez sold, doubtless at a 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 Government
of that Island, from whatever source to be derly-
ed were pledged, as well as 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 rev.
olution. None will deny that those who set on
foot military expeditions against foreign States by
means like these, are far more cupable than the
ignorant and the necesstous whom they induce to
go forth 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 hazard the lives of
ill-informed and deluded men. You will consider
whether further legislation be necessary prevent
the perpetration of such offences in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace
of the country or violate its laws upon vague no.
tons of altering reforming governments in 9TH
er States This principle is not only reasonable in
itself, and in accordance with public law but is en-
grated 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 in
dependent nation must be presumed to be able to
defend its 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 OBJ
all the duties of neutrality. At early pc
riod of the Government, in the administration of
Washington, several laws were passed for this
purpose. The main provisions of these laws were
re-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, or set on foot or pro-
vide, or prepare the means for any military expe-
dition or enterprise to be carried on from thence
against the territory or dominion of any foreign
prince or State, or of any colony, district or peo
pie with whom the United States are at peace, ev-
cry person offending shall be deemed guilty of
a high misdemeanor, and shall be fined, not ex
ceeding three thousand dollars, and imprisoned
not more than three yoars and this law,has been
executed and enforced, to the full extent of the
power of the Government, from that day to this
In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine of
neutrality and intervention, the United States
have not followed the lead of other civilized ma
tions; they have taken the lead themselves, and
have been followed by Others This was admit
ted by one of the most eminent of modern British
Statesman, who said in Parliament, while a minis
ter 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 Washington and
the secretary ship of Jefferson and see, in
fact, that the act of Congress of 1918 follow
ed, the succeeding year, by act of the Parlia
ment of England, substantially the same in its
general provisions. Up to tiat time there had
been no similar law in England, except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign of George
IL, prohibiting English subjects from ensting in
foreign service the avowed object (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 coun-
try now having three four thousand miles of sea
coast, with an infinite number of ports and har-
bors and small inlets, from of which unlawful
expeditions may suddenly set forth, without the
knowledge of Government, against the possessions
of foreign States
Friendly relations with all, but entanglng al
liances with none, has long been maxim with US
Our true mission not to propagate our opinions,
or impose upon other countries our form of gov
ernment, by artifce or force but to teach BY ex-
ample, and show by our 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
institutions to suit its own condition and convent
ence. But, while we avow and maintain this neu-
tral policy ourselves, we are anxious to see the
same forbearaEce on the part of other nations,
whose forms of government different from our
own. The deep interest which we feel in the
spread of liberal principles and the establish
ment offree governments, and the sympathy with
which we witness every struggle against oppres-
sion forbid that we should be Indifferent to case
in which the strong of foreign power is in
voked to stife public sentiment and repress the
spirit of freedom in any country.
The governments of Great Britain and France
have issued orders to their naval commanders on
the West India station to prevent by force, if ne
cessary, the landing of adventurers from any ma
tion on the Island of Cuba with hostile intent
The copy of memorandum of conversation on
this subject between the Charge Affairs of her
Brttanic Majesty and the Acting Secretary of
State, and of subsequent note of the former to
the Department of State, are herewith submitted,
together with a copy of a note of the Acting Sec
retary of State to the Minister of the French re-
public, and of the reply of the latter on the same
subject These papers will acquaint you with the
grounds of this interposition of the two leading
commercial powers of Europe, and with the ap-
prehensions, which this Government could not fail
to entertain that such interposton if carried into
effect, might lead to abuses in derogation of the
maritime rights of the United States, The mari
time rights of the United States are founded on
firm, secure, and well-defned basis they stand
upon the ground Of National Independence and
public law, and will be maintained in all their full