American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-26
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH


The National InteliisenSer and Cubs.
We have read with care and attention the
leading editorial in the National Intelligence,
of this morning We have ever regarded thai
journal as the most able, intelligent, and digni'
fed in the United States, and have entertained
respect Yet we cannot be blind to its most
prominent characteristics. SO eminently con-
servative is it that we have never been ape 70
discover, in the past thirty years. the rSs
in which its approval has given encouragement
to popular or republican movement. Legl-
timacv, anpears to be its idol; the Institutions
that uphold aristocracies and kingdoms retain
all its confidence; and the usages that obstruct
the progress of freedom are deemed by it the
only bulwarks of safety and justice.
In the article we have this morning read, we
are forcibly reminded Of all the wrong and in
justice that have been perpetrated by our Gov
ernment and people in violating the law of the
decalogue which says, ''Thou shalt not steal"
we are informed with what sincerity and earn
estness that journal has endeavored to guard
our country from the late mishap; we are as
sured that Cuba 'tis as much and as undisputed
TERRITORY of Spain as Long Island is of New
York." we are told how censurabe they are
who seduced our young men into the snare that
was laid for them; we are told that ga great
prize" was the object of these men, who were
1familiarized with blood and carnage--compo-
sing altogether body Of men of ardent courage
and heroic uiolence;'" we are told that the
editors deplore the event. but that they foresaw
Iz,~ -. 4. y
condemnation Of the Spanish butchers, oho inflicted
cruel and fearful death upon their captiues, IN a
manner and under circumstances most horrible and
disyracsfM Not one syllable is uttered in CEN
sure Of them. Not one allusion is made to the
base, cowardly, and wanton sacrifice of life, nor
of the fendlike and hellish spirit exhibited by
the monsters towards whom the Intelligeacer is
80 magnanimous and tender-hearted
From the North american we quote in another
column review of the circumstances of the
capture and execution of the fifty prisoners
The editor of that journal speaks forth as a man
and an American, and truthfully describes the
deed that now appeals to every American breast
for retribution. He asks not if these men were
clearly in the right; but he remembers the SEN
timents of the age, the usage of our country,
the mercy ever shown by our army to Mexico,
whether in arms or conquered, the protection
given to the bloody Santa Anna while the fields
of Texas yet smoked with the blood of his cap
tives-these things are remembered as the
merciless deeds arise to view; and condemna-
ton deep and burning is breathed forth, and
win be echoed in every patriot heart
But the Intelligencer declares that there is in !
its opinion, g no consideration of policy which
should induce the United States to accept
the Island of Cuba, with its present popula-
ton, as free gift, with the consent of all the
nations of the earth to the act" We can take
no exception to this opinion, provided we ore
not required to adopt it. As the opinion Of
those whose faith in the salutary tendencies of
republican progress is not ardent, it is all very
well. But for ourselves, we think the Island of
Cuba, governed and controlled by the arbitrary
martial power of the Queen Of Spain, is not held
by her by as sacred title as Long Island is by
the republican State to which it voluntarily
clings, and in whose councils it is represented;
and we think moreover that, no matter what
its population, any region of country that
energies from monarchical domination to re-
publican freedom, with the consent of all the
nations of the earth, should present some in
ducements to the United States to accept it. |
But we never before heard Indifference ex-
pressed by an American to this acquisition. |
We have always heard the desire expressed that
it might be ours. We have heard this from
the lips of men of all parties and of all pursuits
Its position to control the Gulf of Mexico, its
agricultural capacity, its capability of sustain
ing such augmented population as would in
cline to its from the States, its desirableness
as resort for our people, the advantages of
free trade between its ports and those of the
States-these things, united with the jealous
feelings that will ever exist in this country
while it is held by foreign power, will |
always keep alive desire for it possession. |
That they furnish good reasons why we should !
"steal" it, we do not contend; but that they |
furnish collateral motives to such as would aid
the people of Cuba in liberating themselves, is
reasonable and just. We are not yet assured /
that this purpose does not prevail among the
Cubans, and all admit that the recent incursion
was prompted by belief in its existence.