The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04
VOL. III
From Il. London cAroniels, Sept. ls.A.

vaders; and there Will doubtless be some per-
sons who, looking merely ut the gravity of the
crime, will think that the summary execution of
fifty prisoners was but an act Of justice--or, as
the official apologst Of the Spanish government
terms it, the m ost simple and primary duty"
We must, nevertheless, condemn this wholesale
judicial massacre. The extreme plea of right ID
justification for preciptate act of vindictive
cruelty. Il is indeed, asserted that, on the pre-
vious occasion Of the attempts at Round island
and Cardenas, the utmost clemency was exhibit
cd by the Spanish authorities, but without the
effect of preventing further aggression. Yet
this is most insufficient Justification and the
fact of the invaders having disregarded the
warning then given, and having made new pi-
ratical incurson is no excuse tor savage severity
| on the part Of the Cuban government. 1t was,
no doubt, the duty of the latter to infict some
punishment upon their prisoners; but sum.
mary execution was alike cruel and impolitc. 1t
has dshonored and damaged the Spanish cause,
it has exasperated the American people, and it
has increased the difficulties of the federal exc
cutive
In defending the acts Of his government, M.
Isturitz has thought proper to allude to the pro-
ceedings of the English cruisers in the eastern
archipelago, as affording an analogous case
But the parallel is not exact. There is q great
difference between destroying body OF savages
actually engaged in piracy, and the wholesale
execution of prisoners. The operations Of our
ships in the East were, in reality, very much like
war at the Cape-a campaign against barbarous
races, who, by repeated acts of plumber and
murder, have provoked their fate. But neither
our naval officers nor Sir Harry Smith are accus-
toned to shoot their prisoners en- m1sse; on the
contrary, except on the field of BATTLE our CON-
manders have rather erred on the side Of lenien.
cy. Nor can il be admitted that such yindica-
tons of authority are necessary to the interests
of society Such principle is strictly PENN
sular one; and though it may be acted upon by
Narvaez and the military Statesmen of Spain, il
will scarcely be recognized by the rest of the
world. Again, it is alleged that the number and
resources of the invaders aggravated the crimi.
nslity Of their attempt; but it would be equally
true, and more to the purp1 se, to say that the
power and resources of the Spanish govern
ment, which rendered summary proceedings un-
necessary for its immediate security, heghten
the imprudence, II not the guilt of its conduct.
Notwithstanding the difficulties arising from
the excited feeling of the American people, it
appears that the government of the United
States is taking vigorous steps to prevent any
further nfraction of treaties by its citizens. Ii
is said that President Fillmore is determined TO
| pcfscNeIc III Tie pollcJ ihlu uoWH W HIS pro-
deeessor, and that precautions will be adopted
TO prevent the departure of the bodies Of troops
which have lately been collected in different
parts Of the Union. The government IS already,
to some extent, answerable for the effects OF it's
previous remissness and for the want Of vigi-
lance on the part Of IFS officers. But If the
federal authorities really resolved to restrain
| the unruly buccaneers Of the South, there is no
| doubt that they possess the means OF so doing.
| They would have the support Of the New
England States, as well ms Of the Northwest
for in those parts Of the Union the annexation
feveris less violert than il is elsewhere, and il
Is felt that the acquisition of additional slave
States would injuiously affect the political bal
ance Of the confederation Therefore, ii the
cabinet at Washington has the courage 10 adopt
decided course ofaction, il may, in spite az the
opposition Of Southern feeling, and of the
| mobs in the large cities, successfully maintain,
unimpaired, the good faith Of the United States.
But the untoward events which lave occurred
in Cuba and New Orleans-the excuses Of o
barbarous government on the one hand, and a
brutal popnlace on the other-have rendered
the issue highly predetermined.
| Every effort will Of course, be made by the
annerationists 10 stimulate public feeling and to
1 induce the citizens 10 believe that the blood OF
Il
sure that the Cuban speculation will not fail for
want Of agitation on the part OF its promoters
and there Is dangerous population Of gdyen-
turers 10 the United States, who are ready for
any undertaking, however extravagnnt, and
whose attention is now fixed upon the plumber
Of the wealthy dependency Of Spain. Il will be
a hard struggle. between the good sense and
moderation Of the community at large, and the
reckless audacity Of ferociou. and unman.
ageable party. On its result must depend, 10 n
great measure the attitude Of the European
powers. So far as this country is concerned
no one can desire 10 see any indication Of o
wish TO interfere IN the matter. Transatlantic
statesmen are sufficiently sagacious 10 perceive
the interest which Great Britain has in the
peaceable settlement Of the question, and they
are probably aware Of the feelings that would
he produced on this side Of the water by an
American occupation Of the Havana. But, until
our interests are really endangered. interference
would only do harm for no American govern
ment could subsist for an hour under the sus.
picion Of being dictated 10 by European power.
| JUDGE BeRRIES-Hrs PosTrroS.--A personal