The New York herald., 1851-08-23
The News from Havsna-The Mass Meeting
n the Park.

There are epochs in the history of mankind
from which national outrages upon law and the
feelings Of humanity are transmitted 10 the lasting
execrations Of posterity. II the details, already
published, Of the late execution Of the fifty. two
American prisoners at Havana, are, to any extent,
correct, the history Of Spanish authority in the
leland of Cuba from that day marked with an event
which viii brand it with infamy throughou. the
civilized world. But the atrocities alleged to have
been committed, in accounts, do not appear in
others; and there are witnesses by the Chero-
kee, who testify that the cruelties Of this ter
rible work Of slaughter have been exaggerated.
For the credit Of humanity it is to be hoped
that such is the trath-that the gloomy TRACE
dy has been over-colored, and that the dead
bodies of the slain Americans were not outraged
70 the horrible extent described. The Spanish
butterflies had duly given notice Of the fate Of the
invaders, f spprehended. The victims who were
sac ifced knew the consequences Of failure in ad
vance. They were prepared to die in battle; they
expected death IL captured. But neither they, nor
the United States government, nor its people, nor
the world, were prepared for outrages upon the
dead which would disgrace a herde Of Camanches
IL is 70 be hoped, that while government is
rgdly enforcing its neutrality, it viii cause proper
inquiry 20 be made Of the truth, in reference to
these barbarities II would seem, also, to be pro-
per 70 inquire into the reported Indifference Of the
American Cossul to the slaughter Of his country.
men. nan who could, under the tcchnisali.ies Of
Official dignity, coolly lay aside the feelings and
dusies Of fellow man, and absent himself from a
scere where his presence might have mitig ated ts
pitiess vengeance and given comfort % it victims
in their last hour, is disqualified By nature a. the
representative Of humane and generous people.
The sad news by the Cherokee, on Thursday
night. created an immediate and intense sensation
throughout our city. Among the groups Of anxious
lees At the street corners in the hotels and the
nxusper Offices, there vas the same general out.
burst of indignation, horror, incredulty and pity
A call for a public meeting in the Park a
prompt and inevitable consequence Of this state Of
f.sling With the diffusion Of the horrible details
broadcast over the city, yesterday morning, the
sxeitsment was extend ID s3d deepened, aud the
bleody tragedy was discussed with tho melancholy
gravity ola wide. spread domestic calamity. Dur
ing the day the prevailing excitement lost nothing
Of ts intensity; and at the appointed hour the macs
meeting was the ground, with a steady current
Of IRON every side Of the ark dur
ing the continuance OF the speaking.
The proceedings Of this meeting are given in
another part Of this mornings paper; and they em
brace certain views and suggestions ofin.eroationa
h- and '.manifest destiny" which will challenge
the special attention Of the sagscious reader There
/, matter in these proceedings Of some moment and
sixurhcancy 10 Spain, to Cuba, TO the sdministra-
ton. ard the politicians Of all parties the Union
We published, yesterday, variety Of positive in
formation, from various sources, upon the subject
Of the Havana massacre. particularly the interest
ing letters from our own Havana correspondents,
aud the spanifh account, from the PrenSd. OF the
bsrbarous execution. We lay before our readers,
this morning, scme further transations from the
Spanish press Of Havana, which will be read with
unabatsd ntcres, from their peculiar details OF
this horrible affair There are some differences In
the various accounts; bus they all concur in the
main fac Of the barbarous slaughter Of the Gfy-
two prisoners. The spanish authorities have been
a. good a. their word They have made short
work Of their captives but if they have not follow.
ed IL Up right speedily with the determination Of
LoreI and bis party, the reooil threatens 10 be
terrible As far as we advised such is the state
o. thirgs in the island, that Lopez and his band
must perish, il not soon relieved, and With them
vii probably perish the whole movement at least
fof p, ason. But II be eau bold footing on The 4
island for a week, the interval 10 the meeting 0 =
Congress may BE- ssficent FOR hmm pie revoiu-
,ion. We aEai, further information With fear.
fsl and painial anxiety.