Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-08-30
THE ISSUE OF THE CUBAN CONSPIRACY.

With what sincerity and earnestness we hav
endeavored TO guard our country from the mshap
which has now second time befaen it, of having
its name placed before the world in conjunction
with the successive unlawful and criminal effort.
to invade and overturn the Government of the
Island of Cuba--as much and as undisputed a ter
ritory of the Kingdom of Spain as Long Island is
OF the State of New York-our readers will bear
witness. We have not failed in our duty to place
the matter in true light before them; to expose
the too prevalent deusion in regard TO the morality
and legality of such enterprises to exhibit their
danger as well as their wickedness and to demon
strae their ncompatibility with the duties and OBJ
legations, in regard to them of all persons claiming
the character of citizens of the United States. If,
in these efforts, we had had the general coopera-
ton of the press Of the United States, instead Of
acquiescence in these projects by some, and a
positive encouragement Of them by another
part, the great national mischief might possibly
have been averted. Though, when we consider
the very general feeling the subject in parts
of the country, and especially in the City of New
Orleans and its surrounding region, (the almost en-
tire desolaton Of which would be one of the inevi-
table consequences Of the complete of these
desperate enterprises J when we have seen money
lavishly subscribed, troops enlisted, the foreign
leader of the enterprise in both cases harangung
the People at public meetings in the midst of up
roarious applause-and even Officers of the United
States Government connving at these enterprises,
or SO intimidaled by the general f1rore as 10 be
deferred from attempting Tor become incapable) to
execute the laws forbidding their fitting out from
ports Of the United States-we feel satisfied that
the power of the Press could it have been rallied
to the rescue of the National honor, might have
been exerted in vain.
Stimulated by the most exaggerated stories
of the value of the great prize represented TO
them to be within the reach of valor and enterprise
band OF inexperienced youths, mixed up with
few veterans, and proportion, still young, of per-
sons who, on the battle fields of Mexico became
famiarized with blood and carnage-composing
altogether body of men of ardent courage and
{" heroic volence''-had been taught, by certain
presses favorable to the enterprise, if not actually
interested in it, to believe that by enlisting in it
they had placed themselves on the high road to
fame as well as fortune.
How lamentable, alas the sad reverse Of all
that they had been thus taught to expect! Instead
OF being received with open arms by People who
were to look upon them the instruments of deli
yerance, or being joined in mass by thousands at
time, (as the manufactured Telegraph Reports
and Proclamations had promised to them,) no hand
was stretched forth by the peasantry to welcome
their advent, nor, as the accounts rum did single
man Of the Government forces 60 over to them.
What punishment is not due-general condemna-
ton at least-to those authors OF all the frauds and
deceptions, who responsible for the accumulated
horrors with which they have overwhelmed those
deluded young men who looked upon them as
oracles
To say that we deeply lament the unhappy fate
of the persons who, victims of the most cruel de-
cepton, have lost their lives in the Lopez expedi-
ton-not to speak Of those other adventurers whose
fate is vet unascertained- be but feebIy to
express the abhorrence, which we trust is natural
to us, OF deeds of cruelty and sangunary violence.
AS truly do deplore the event, as, before hap
pened, we foresaw and deprecated it, Most sin
cere is our sympathy with the afflicton Of the
wives, the parents, the brothers. and the sisters
whom this event has bereaved of the objects of their
pride, hope, and affections.
But we must not suffer ourselves to be blinded
by the tears of commiseration to the enormity Of
the crme not SO much of these unfortunate victims,
as of those, far less innocent than they, who, first
blindfolding their dupes, led them to the edge OF
the precipice and then urged them over it into the
yawnng gulf. Yet, hear these very men now, in
the city ofNew York, screaming themselves hoarse
with the cry of Revenge! Revenge! See them
posting up placards at all the corners of the
streets and blind alleys of the city, calling public
meetings to express their vengefu wrath
Is this any thing else than the stratagem of the
ariicers of all these horrors to shield themselves
from the responsibility for what has passed. and
east it, instead, upon those who have in vain en-
deavored to open the eyes of the People to the
evil deeds of these consprators against the public
peace! 1t is consoling circumstance that the
PEOPLE have not responded to the call Of these gen.
try. They understand the matter. No journal in
New York of any character has seconded their cry.
No man of any mark has made his appearance at
the meetings which have been held. Their pro-
ceedngs are of little consequence as the persons
who made themselves most conspicuous on the oc-
casion.
Few intelligent persons, uninfuenced by personal
interest or by purposes purely factious and dis
organizing, butknow that, could those persons-who