The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-23

From the Neto York Express.
Judge Catron ON the Cuban movemei


Mr.. Justice Catron, Associate Justice Of the Su-
preme Court of the United Sates in recent charge
to the grand jury for the middle district of Tennes
see, at Nashville in that State referred to certain
late acts and demonstrations, too prominently no.
torious 10 have escaped general attention, hav-
ing been committed in that city, and which acts
were profcsscdy done in violation of the treaties
and laws of the United States. "Our streets (said
the judge) have been paradcd by military music,
accompanied with banners for the purpose of
citing the vicious, the idle. the young, and the
thoughtees, to enlist as soldiers for the purpose
OF invading the Island of Cuba, and aiding there
portion ofits population to overthrow the present
government" He then proceeded TO show the treaty
relations existing between the United States md
Spain, recited the net Of 1878, making it penal to
do any thing to disturb those relations, and then
went again TO allude, in terms of marked severi-
ty and disapprobation to the open violation of this
law committed in Nashville, in holding, in the very
court house where he spoke large public meet =
ing few weeks since; professedly, and notorious
ly, having for its principal object the raising mo
ney 10y voluntary contributions to equip men and
send them of in detailed numbers TO be afterwards
organized in New Orleans, or beyond there, into
companies and regiments and TO act in military
array in conjunction with others, thus invade Cuba,
overthrow ite government, and establish smother,
in contempt and open defiance of treaties with
foreign nation with which we have much c0nl-
merce and deep interest to maintain peace. Says
Judge Cation:
thirty years. she has fairly and fully observed the
faith of her treaty stipuations with the United
States; nor can we violate these treaties without
national disgrace. On their observance depends
our honorable standing among civilized nations of
the earth. IL is idle to suppose that other nations
will respect our institutions, if Government is
SO weak that our laws may be disregarded at plea
sure by d5orderly and lawlcss mobs; that solemn
treaties may be violated, foreign consuls be driven
from the country, and the subjects of foreign ma
tons residing in our seaports, under express treaty
stipulatons, be mobbed, and their property de-
stroyed."
His honor then goes TO review the occurrences
that have taken place at New Orleans, where, he
said, "he law is trodden under foot - and says that
II 's the imperative duty of the Federal courts and
the district attorneys representing the United
States in the several districts to net, and to sup
press crimes arising under the act of 1878" He
then asks if the law s TO be dead letter in Middle
Tennessee, as we'll as at New Orleans. Compli-
menting the people OF that district for their uni
iUrm adherence TO law and order in time past, he
tells them that it is now their bounden duty TO act
as they have previously DONE and firmly punifh
rs criminals all those who have done acts that are
made criminal by the standing laws.
''See who il ia that has began or set on foot
or provided means or prepared the means, for use
or transportation; when provided, who has trans
ported men or means for this enterprise of invading
Cuba, and indict them"
Judge Catron then tells the grand jury that the
Attorney General is bound to assist them in their
Investigations: that they indict on the know
ledge and information of their own body; that wit
nesses who may refuse to answer, on the ground
that their evidence may tend 10 criminals them
selves, yet obliged TO testify az apainst all
others, and directed them TO consult the court in
any case of such refusal. He told them moreover
that, " although the idea of invading Cuba NAV be
discouraged just now by the reported news that
Lopez and his followers have been taken and most
OF them destroyed, still this country has no security
.Iaihst recurrence OF other attempts similar TO
wua,ol Lopez and his associates, il il il generally
penev'd that no power TO punish exists in the Pre-
siu. , u courts of justice. And this faithful ma
s's..,1I'I sSes on 10 say, most truly:
IA" 'hIs lureign edvcnturer and his confede-
rates been pnnistFd as they deserved for the first
invasion OF Cuhl, the late invasion and the un-
Fortunate SACRIFICED human life inflicted on men
(most cruelty anobasely deluded,) and the re-
cent mobs and unlGgful proceedings, would not
have occurred. Thei, leading cause has been i'm
munity OF punishment and ths coneeuuent belief
that none could be injected. DISREGARD aIlo
gether, gentlemen, the pesent aumberinn CON
diton of the excitement md in6ict for Crimes
already committed, as you would % If the cx
citen6nt was in full force. you "a NOT vo
may soon our country agan agtmed. as n
recently has been, and the laws Flrthet SCI M de
iance."
II gives us pleasure to see the Supremcr..
the buwark Of our freedom, standing IN H,
boldly in defence of law and order We shalsi
with MS much anxiety ms curiosity for the nce oA
the grand jury, so eloquently and impressvely a
dressed, will take in the premises.
soldier, many years ago, was sentenced to
have his ears cut of. After undergoing the brutal
ordeal he was escorted out of the court yard TO the
rogue = march. lie then turned, and in mock dig
nifty thus addressed the musicians "Gentemen,
thank you but have no further need Of your ser,
vices Tor have no ear for music.