The southern press., 1851-09-02
Prospects Of Cubs.

We are still without news 10 the posito on
of Lorsz. The reports circulated of his defeat
seem to have less 10 confirm them, than the exag-
gerations respecting successive victories. We
confess we do not think him annihilated, or we
should have had speedy and certain news of it
from Havana.
In our paper will BE- found letters from sew
eral Of the unfortunate invaders, written short
time previous to their massacre. These letters
contain denuncations Of LoPEz Recommendations
not of character duplicating the honor of
LOPEZ, but such as are natural from men who,
in the chances and accidents of war, found them
selves mot deserted) but cut off from the main
body. Despair will make men unjust.
We do not say this to defend Lopez, of whom
we know nothing personally, but [ ecause such
appear to us to have been the real and natural
circumstances.
We shall now see whether the Cubans are
fit for liberty by the support they will give the
invaders. Dare they support them! Have
thew the moral courage to run the risk of ruin,
destruction, or exile in the great cause?
Why should we expect more from Cuba than
from other nations demoralized by tyranny
Nothing is more rare in the world than such he
roism! In mountainous regions, where men
may set authority and numbers at defiance, as in !
Switzerland, or in countries backed by exten- |
sive forests and unexplored wilds, like our own,
men of energy can SHOW their true spirit, and
battle for their countrys wrongs. They have
hope for their families if not for themselves.
But the Cuban. should he be foiled, how shall
he escape! and what, under such tyranny.
will be the fate of wife and children!
Liberty has been gained by accidental cir
cumstances, often by heroism. Athens
owed her liberty to the vengeance of two young
patricians; and, about the same time, Rome OBJ
tanned her freedom through offend d pride at an
insult offered to woman. 1t was not the peo-
pie of Athens or of Rome that fought for liberty.
They were ready TO accept it when it came and
it did come, in both instances, from men of the
oppressing class-mcn who, having committed
themselves gravely, had no chance of safety
left, but in the support of the people.
Had these two accidents not occurred, what
part would Greece or Rome have played in his
tory! Governed by kings, their energies never
could have been developed and freedom would
have found refuge in other places less favorable,
perhaps, for human progress. Carthage would
have made Rome tributary with the rest of Italy,
and would have carried harsher principles with
her over Europe.
Do not let us be too hard upon the Cubans.
If the time is ripe for her liberation, she will
surely obtain il, aided as she will be by sym-
pathizers. And we have little doubt but that
they will make an energetic effort the moment
they feel that they can do so with effect.
Foreign powers cannot fail to look with jeal-
ousy at our acquisition of so rich an Island for
though it is extremely improbable that she can
become united to this country for some time,
the fact of her independence will bring her into
such close relation and interest with us, that
European politicians will consider her already as
a part and portion of our republic.
1t is Just possible hat for the sake of protec-
tion she may at once throw herself into our
arms. Shall we receive her! We will venture
TO ssy the feeling in favor of annexation would
be pretty unanimous, both North and South
We shall have 10 consider among ourselves
whether it be advisable 10 extend our protec-
tion to her under certain conditions which every
one can forsee and we shall not allow any for
eign power, or powers, TO interfere with us on
that point.