The southern press., 1851-08-27
SOU rHERN PRESS
WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST a, 1851.
CUBA.

Whatever may be the opinions of Americans,
respecting the character of the invasion of Cuba
by volunteers from this country, there can be
but one feeling on reading the details OF the
horrible massacre committed at Havana.
We are not for justifying interference with
neighboring and friendly States; but we are
against hastily styling the invaders aprate s."
inasmuch as they have been invited by the in
habitants, backed by the strongest assurances OF
support, and urged by entreaties to aid in liber-
ating them from oppression and tyranny.
Rash and enthusiastic men have listened to
these appeals. They have been met by the
agents of oppression with resolution, and those
who have fallen into their ruthless hands, have
paid the penalty Of their venture with their lives.
All war is piracy, except in national defence.
If ever there were pirates, kings and generals
have been such. Their invasions were piratical
in the truest sense, because no good end was to
be served; nothing but plunder, vengeance and
ambition Of the worst kind, was to be gratified
by them. Here, however, is what many will
Gala legitimate and good result to be attained
1.-The liberation OF q beautiful country from the
caprice and oppression of distant government.
The invaders are invited by the inhabitants,
whose grievances are made known to them, and
the success of the enterprise would be hailed
with pleasure, we do not hesitate to say, by the
whole world.
The men have gone-not to plunder, not to
devastate country, not to rob friends or foes, or
insult women, Common crimes Of invading ar
mies,) but TO rescue people long painting for
liberty Such men do not deserve the epithet
Of pirates; and Americans will be the last to ap.
ply it to men who risk their lives in SO glorious
a cause.
It's the fashion 10 talk of neutrality, and yet to
treat as legitimate acts the despotc interference
Of European powers with the rights of other
natior seeki g freedom. Surely, freemen have
as much right to take sides actively with the
oppressed, as the despot with the oppressor-
Indeed the right is justified by the fact that it is
in the cause of humanity.
The latest intelligence from Cuba is of SO
contradictory character, that We must wait for
another arrival before putting confidence in the
accounts circulated of the triumph of LOPEZ on
tho one hand, or of his capture on the other.
We would fain hope in his success, for the
sake of the lives Of so many of our countrymen
engaged in the enterprise. The accounts of the
brutal treatment Of the bodies after the massacre,
seem, from the letters published by the N. Y.
Herald, to be too true. We regret it for the
sake Of humanity. II would have been prudent
on the part of the captain-general, had he caused
trial of the captured men to take place, if only
for forms sake. There would have been less
excitement here, and less excuse for more de-
termined interference on behalf of the cause for
which these unfortunate men suffered.
What will the Cabinet do under the present
circumstances! Will it demand an explanation
for the insulting conduct of Spanish officers to
the Falcon! Will it approve the conduct of our
consul at Havana Will it consider the mas
sacre Of American citizens without trial, just-
fable act. Will il send the war steamers of the
republic TO aid in maintaining the worst form
Of government in the world 7"
Should the colonial authorities be worsted,
and endeavor, in consequence, to put into exc.
eution the threat Of making Cuba St Domingo,
the interference, we believe, Of this country,
would be absolutely unavoidable.