American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-29
The Invssion OF Cubs and the Laws 81
Nations.


The Invssioa OF Cub. and the Laws 81
NattOns.
The account of the recent invasion Of Cubs
of some of our brayest fellow citizens by tn,
Spaniards, have created an intense excitemen
throughout the Union. Thousands who haC
looked upon the invaders with indifference, OF
even with adherence, and who had thought
them deserving of the severest punishment at
the hands Of the Spanish government, are now
filled with indignation at the treatment they
have received, and are strongly inclined 10 ex-
treme retaliation.
1t is not surprising that such feelings are en-
tertained While all men of judgment acknOwl-
edge the necessity of yielding obedience to the
well-known laws of nations, and see the justice
of inficting punishment for every violation OF
them, they are at the same time Justly in
censed at so fragrant disregard of every prin-
cpe of humanity. Severity and cruelty to cap
tured enemies accorded well with the fierce
spirit of the dark ages, when the lives of men
were little valued, and knotty questions were
solved by the swords keen edge; but, at the
present day, and among enlightened Christian
nations, human life is too precious to be wasted
by brutality, and the scene at the Castle Of
Atares ill-befts people processing the religion
OF the Redeemer.
1t is justly proud boast of the people Of the
United States that, since they declared them
selves Independent, they have ever been gov
erned by principles of moderation and human
ity in their treatment of their enemies.
Their prisoners have been respected, and al
lowed every reasonable privilege; the rights
OF their vanquished foes have been regarded,
and even traitors and spies, the vilest of mill
tary criminals, have not been debarred the
common rights of humanity. In this we con-
trasted favorably with even our English foes
in the war Of the Revolution. They seemed to
consider the Americans as exceptions to all
rules established for the government of nations
atwar, and gave full scope to their resentment
and cupidity. Lord CORVALLIS especially, in
the conduct of the southern campaign laid
aside all the restraints of justice and human
ity, and directed systematic course of bar
barity, which would have brought disgrace
on nation of savages. Hanging, impris-
onment, and confscation of the property of
the rebels, as they were termed, were the
order of the day; and, in the pursuit of what
was most unwisely deemed utility, good faith
and humanity were totally disregarded. Gall
minds" says Botta, severe penetrated with
horror; and all hearts iniamed with hatred
and desire of revenge" The British General
miscalculated the effect of these measures. He
had hoped to intimidate and crush the bold
spirit of independence by unusual punishment;
but the opposite effect was produced There
was then, and there ever has been, among the
people of America, determination to resist
and resent cruelty and oppression at all haz-
ards, and it was this determination that gained
their independence.
The execution, by the British, Of Captain
Nathan Hale, as spy, is a well known instance
of their cruelty, which compares most unfavor-
ably with the conduct of the Americans in
similar case He was convicted clearly, as was
Major Andre, by papers found on his person, as
well as by his own confession, and hung the next
morning. According to the account given to
Colonel afterwards GENERALLY Hull, by British
officer who witnessed the execution, he was re-
fused the attendance of clergyman and the use
of Bible in his last moments and the letters he
had written to his mother and friends were de-
stroyed. Nothing can exceed the unnatural
barbarity Of such usage. But how different
was the treatment of Major Andre by the
Americana He was no more worthy Of con-
sideration and compassion than Hale, who was,
like him, still in the prime of manhood, and
looking forward with bright hopes to an hon.
orable and happy life. AS regards personal
disinterestedness and patriotic devotion, he was
deserving of much less regard; for, Hale un-
dertook his perilous mission with full knowl-
edge of the fate that awaited him, if detected,
and with no promise of reward if successful.
Andre, on the contrary, had no idea of the
danger to which he was exposing himself, and
was to receive high promotion in case Of suc-
cess. Yet, notwithstanding the previous Sc
verify exercised by the English toward Hale,
and though success in Andres enterprise would
have been much more fatal to the Americans
than that Of Hale to the English, he received
every kindness and attention that could posi-
bly, be shown to an unfortunate foe. Though
he was taken within the American lines, with
papers in his possession which proved his guilt
conclusivey, and though he himself confessed
his object, and said he had not entered the
American lines under the protection of flag,
Sir Henry Clinton was allowed full time and
opportunity to exculpate him. He was arrested
on the 23d Of September, but not executed
until the I'd Of October; and it is thought he
would finally have been spared, had Arnold
been given up by the British.
Such is Americas generosity to her foes.
Where, in the history of her three glorious
wars, can be found a solitary instance of cruel
ty, or even Of undue severity, to captivesf
In our late war with Mexico, n country in