Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-12-11

the final disposition made of these we have nc
official information.
Such is the melancholy result of this ille
gal and ill-fated expedition. Thus, thought
less young men have been induced, by false
and fraudulent representations, to violate the
Jaw of their country, through rash and un.
founded expectations of assisting to accom-
plish politilal revolutions in other States, and
have lost their lives in the undertaking. Toe
severe a Judgment can hardly be passed, by
the indignant sense Of the community, upon
! those who being better informed themselves,
/ have yet led away the ardor of youth and an
ill-directed love of political liberty. The cor
respondence between this Government and
that of Spain relating to this transaction is
herewith communicated.
| Although these offenders against the laws
have forfeited the protection of their country,
vet the Government may, so far as is consis-
tent with its obligations to other countries,
and its fixed purpose to maintain and enforce
the laws, entertain sympathy for their unof-
Tending families and friends, as well as feel
ing of compassion for themselves. According
ly no proper effort has been spared, and none
viii be spared, to procure the release of such
citizens ofthe United States, engaged in this
unlawful enterprise, as are now in confne-
ment in Spain; but it is hoped that such in
terpositicn with the government of that coun-
try may not be considered as affording any
ground of expectation that the Government
OF the United States will hereafter, feel itself
under any obligation of duty to intercede for
the liberation or pardon of such persons as
are fragrant offenders against the law of ma
tons and the laws of the United States
These laws must be executed. If we desire to
maintain our responsibility among the nations
of the earth, it behoves US to enforce steadily
and sternly the neutrality acts passed by Con-
gress, and to follow, as far as may be, the vi
olation of those acts with condign punish
ment.
But what gives peculiar criminalty to
this invasion Of Cuba Is, that under the lead
of Spanish subjects and with the aid of citi-
zens of the United States, it had its origin,
with many, in motives of cupdity. Money
was advanced by individuals, probably in con-
siderable amounts to purchase Cuban bonds,
as they have been called, issued by Lopez,
sold doubtless, at very large discount, and
for the payment of which the public lands
and public property of Cuba, and Of whatev-
er kind, and the fiscal resources of the people
and government of that island, from whatever
source to be derived, were pledged as we'll as
the good faith Of the government expected TO
be established. All these means of payment,
il is evident, where only to be obtained by
process of bloodshed, war and revolution
None viii deny that those who set on foot
military expeditions against foreign States
by means like these, are far more culpable
than the ignorant and the necessitous whom
they induce to go forth as the ostensible par
ties in the proceeding. These originators of
the invasion of Cuba seem to have determined,
with coolness and system, upon an underta-
king which should disgrace their country, vi
olate its laws, and put to hazard the lives Of
Informed and deluded men. You will con-
slider whether further legislation be necessary
to prevent the preparation of such offences
in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the
peace of the country or to violate its laws
upon vague notions of altering or reforming
governments in other States. This principle
is not only reasonable in itself, and in accor-
dance with public law, but is engraited into
the codes OF other nations as well as our own.
But while such are the sentiments of this
Government, it may be added that every inde-
pendent nation must be presumed to be able
TO defend its possessions against unauthorized
individuals banded together to attack them.
The government of the United States at all
times since lis establishment, has abstained
and sought to restrain the citizens of the
country from entering into controversies be-
tween other powers, and to observe all the
duties OF neutrality. At an early period Of
the Government, in the administration of
Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provision of these
laws were re-enacted by the act of April,
1918, by which, amongst other things, it was
declared that If any person shall, within the
territory or jurisdiction of the United States
begin, or set on foot, or provide, or prepare
the means for any military expedition or en-
terprise 10 be carried on from thence against
the territory or dominion ofany foreign Prince
or State, or of any colony, district, or people,
with whom the United States are at peace,
every person so offending shall be deemed
guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall be
fined, not exceeding three thousand dollars,
and imprisoned not more than three years
and this law has been executed and enforced,
TO the full extent of the power ofthe Govern
ment, from that day to this.
In procalming and adherlng to the doctrine
of neutrality and non-interyention, the United
States have not followed the lead of other civ
ilized nations; they have taken the lead them
selves and have been followed by others
This was admitted by one of the most emil
nent of modern British statesmen, who said
in Parliament, while a minister of the crown,
'that if he wished for guide in system of
neutrality, he should take that laid down by
America in the days of Washington and the
Secretaryship Of Jeferson;" and we see in
fact, that the act of Congress of 1913 was
followed the succeeding year by an act of the
Parliament of England, substantially the same
in its general provisions. Up to that time
there had been no similar law in England,
except certain highly penal statutes passed
in the reign of George H., prohibiting Eng
lish subjects from enlisting in foreign service,
the avowed object of which statutes was, that
6 a. ,r,,;ag raised for the nurnose of re-