The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-24
From the London Chronicle, Sept. 5.

THE CUBAN NEWS IN ENGLAND.
The intelligence received yesterday from the
United States is of an unusually grave charac-
ter. Either from want of zeal or of ability on
the part Of the authorities, the American forces
destined for Cuba embarked without mo!esta-
ton, and proceeded to effect descent upon the
island. The preparations for the enterprise were
miserably insufficient, and although n consdera
BILE number of the invaders succeeded in landing
it does not appear that any success has been
obtained by them; at least the accounts are so
obviously exaggerated that it is not easy to be-
lieve in the victories recorded by the American
journals. Of the precise position of affairs il is
difficult 10 Judge, so far as relates to the pro-
gress of the assailants, and to the support which
they have received from the malcontents of Gu.
ba. There is, however, but little reason 10 ques.
ton the accuracy of the general statement which
has reached us of the events which occurred at
HAVANA on the sixteenth of last month On
the morning of that day, four boats, containing
n part of the American force, were captured by
the Spanards. The prisoners, fifty in number,
were landed and were, on the same day, execu-
ted by the Spanish military authorities. The
news Of the proceeding has created the greatest
excitement in the States meetings have been
held in MANY Of the principal cities; and every
attempt has been made to heighten and prolong
the feeling aroused by the execution Of Ameri
can citizens by a foreign government. In New
Orleans, we are informed, the popular indigna.
ton is at its height-soldiers are being openly
enlisted and organized for the war, whilst fear,
are entertained that any effort on the part Of the
United States Executive to- enforce neutrality
may lead to a collision with the people. Nor is
the excitement less conspicuous elsewhere for
in New York popular demonstration has taken
...I h.. II. r.
lean blood is the watchword of the agitators.-
At this distance il is impossible to appreciate
accurately the political importance of such as.
semblages. American language and American
sentiment, exaggerated and burle .qued as they
always are, must be received with caution. Bat
we cannot avoid perceiving that the execution
Of so large number of American prisoners, who
were connected by personal and national smy-
rathv with the democratic mobs Of the large
cities, was the one thing wanted by the annexa-
tionists to enlist public feeling in the struggle,
and to overbear the feeble resistance Of the Uni
ted States government. The resources Of the
executive have been insufficient to prevent fra.
grant breach Of neutraitv-it remains to be seen
whether the determination Of the cabinet Of
Washington will be able To oppose successfully
the measures Of the war party.
For the suiferings Of a band of desperadoes,
who in time Of profound peace, make DELHI.
crate attack upon the territories Of friendly
power, little pity can be felt. American citizens
had been duly warned, by the proclamations OF
the President, Of the nature Of the enterprise
which they undertook They had been told in
explicit language that they would forfeit all title
to he protection of their own government; and
they had every reason to expect to be treated
with the utmost severity, If they fell into the
Of fha hair of Cuho
must be considered merely as an act of piracy
they knew the risk but they chose 10 encounter
IL. When taken prisoners, they could only be
treated as maraudng freebooters they had no
claim TO the clemency which is generally die.
played towards soldiers Of beigerents accord
ing to the usages of nations; and their lives
were Mt the mercy Of the Spanish governmen
But the wholesale execution appears 10 US n
have been a most III judged measure Il is true
that the milder treatment of the prisoners who
had been captured on the occasion of the former
invasion had proved intellectual TO prevent
second attempt. Still lt was most unwise to en-.
force the extreme right Of retribution. Punish
ment which follows crime with such uunecessa
ry rapiditv, has awavs the appearance of terror,
or Of bood-thrsty revenge, II would have been
easy for the authorities of Cuba TO have fully
maintained the rights Of the Spanish crown
without 80 fearful a measure Of vengeance
However clear the case, such sweeping and in.
tantaneous severity is ipdefensible, except ms
matter Of selfdefcnce But it does not np.
pear that any immediate danger would have been
incurred by adopting less precipitate course !;
and, viewed in relation to its consequences, this
SUMMARY mode ofproceed 'ng was most impoli-
tic, for it has served to surround, in American
eyes at least, q set Of marauders with the halo
Of political martyrdom. Justice might have been
satisfied witch less savage punishment, and less
justification would have been given to American