The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-12-03

Such is the melancholy result Of this IL
eVal and ill-fated expedition. Thus,
hoanhtless young men have been indn-
ed, by false and fraudulent representa-
ions, to violate the laws Of their country
Trough rash and unfOunded expectations
FAzSsthk 10 accomplish political revo-
utions in 6ther States, and have lost their
ives in the undertaking. Too severe a
Judgment eau hardly be passed by the
INDIGNANT sense Of the community, upon
those who being better informed them
selves. have vet led away the ardor OF
youth and An in directed love OF political
liberty. The correspondence etween
this Government and that ofSpain rela-
tive 10 this transaction is herewith COM
M nnicated.-
Although these offenders against the
laws have forfeited the protection Of their
country, vet the Government may, so far
as is consistent with its obligations to 9TH
or countries, AMI its fixed purpose to main
tain and enforce the laws, entertain sym
pathy for their unoffending families and
friends, as well RS n feeling of compass
sion for themselves. Accordingly no
proper effort has been spared, and none
will be spared, to procure the release of
such citizens o fthe U S. engaged in this
unlawful enterprise, as are now in con-
iuement iu Spain; but it is to be hoped
such interpositlon with the government OF
that country may not be considered as
affording any ground Of expectation that
the Government of tia U. s.. will hcreaf-
ter feel itself under any obligation OF du-
tv to intercede for the liberation o pardon
of such persons as are fragrant offenders
against the law of nations and against the
laws of the U. s. These LAWS must be
executed. If we desire to maintain our
responsibility among the nations OF the
the earth, it behooyes us to enforce stead
ily and sternlv the neutrality acts passed
by Congress, and to follow, as far as may
be, the violation Of those acts with con-
dign punishment.
BIT what gives a peculiar ~criminahty
to this invasion of Cuba is, that under the
lead of Spanish subjects, and with the
aid of citizens of the U. s., it had its OIL
gin with many in motives of cupidity,-
Money was advanced by individuals, pro
badly in considerable amounts 10 purchase
Cuban bonds, as they havo been called
iseued by Lopez, sold, doubtless at a very
! large discount, and for the payment OF
which the public lands and public pro-
perty Of Cuba, of whatever kind, and he
: fiscal resources of the people and govern
ment of that island. from Whatever source
10 be derived, were pledged, as we'll as the
good faith of the government expected to
be established. All these means of pay
ment, it is evident, were only TO be OBJ
tanned by process of bloodsced, war and
revolution. None will deny that those
who seto on foot military expeditions against
foreign States by means like these, are
far more c~uIpable than the ignorant and
the nccessitous whom they induce to so
forth as the ostensible parties in the pro-
ceeding. These ofiginators Of the inVa-
sion of Cuba seem to have determined,
With GOODNESS and system, upon an under
taking which should disgrace their cotn-
try, violate its laws, and put to hazard the
lives of Uniformed and deluded men,
You will consider whether further legisla.
ton be necessary to prevent the perpetra'
ton of Of such offences in future.
No individuals have a right to hazard
the peace Of the country or to viola'e 1T
laws upon vague notions of altering or re
forming governments in other states. Thu
principles not only reasonable in itself
and in accordance with public law, but /
engrafted into the codes Of other nation
as well as our OWL. But while such ar
the sentiments of this government, it ma,
be added that every independent nation
must be presumed to be able to defend 1t
possessions against unauthorized indlvid
uals banded together to ettack them. Th'
Government of the L. S. at all times
since its establishment, has abstained ant
has sought to restrain the citizens of tin
country, from entering into controversial
between other powers, and to observe al
the duties of neutrality. AT an early pc
riod of the Government, IN the admins
tration OF Washington, several laws wer
4 paased for this purpose. The main pro
visions of these laws were rc-cnacted b
the act of April, 1918, by which, pmong'
other things, it was declared that if an
person shall, within the territory or jurl'
diction of the L. s. begin, or set on foo
or pruvide or prepare the means for an
military expedition or enterprise, to /
carried on from theuce against the terri
lory or dominion of any foreign prince
State, or OF any colony, district, or poop
: with whom the i. S. are at peace, eyel
: person so offending shall be deemed gui
ty Of q ugh misdemeanor, and shall
> fined, not exceeding three thousand do
lars, and imprisoned not more than thr'
; years; and this law has been execute
, and enforced, to the full extent of Il
' power of the Government, from that dt
TO this. p
I. In proclaimiEg and adhering to Il
doctrine of neutrality and non-interve'
! ton, the U. s. have not followed the lee
. OF other civilized nations; they have t
| ken the lead themselves, and have bee
followed by others. This was admittt
: by one Of the most eminent of model
. British statesmen, who said in Parl:amen
! while a Minister of the crown, "that if
:, wished for a guide in a system OF neutra
u ity, he should take that laid down |
!, America, in the days of Washington al
the secretaryship Of Jefferson" and '
) see, in fact, that The act Of Congress of 10.
9 was followed. the succeeding year, by
9 act of the ParliaMent of England, substa
9 TALLY the same in its general provision
4, Up to that time there had been no si4nil
. law in England, except certain highly P
y nal statutes passed in the reign Of Geor
!. H., prohibiting English subjects from c
2 listing in foreign service, the ayowed o