Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-03
STANTON SPECTATOR.
THE CUBAN INVASION.

During the last two weeks, the expedition
OF the famous LOPEZ to Cuba, and he mis-
cradle fate of part of lis men, have occu-
pied the public attention in this country al
most to the exclusion Of every other sub
iect. The accounts, however, from the is
land, are very confused and contradictory
and up to this time nothing satisfactory has
been learned as to the final result 1t is only !
known with certainty that LOPEZ with about
500 men landed on the island, and instead
of being received and welcomed by the peo-
pie as friends, were opposed by them, even
before the arrival Of the Spanish troops and
that fifty men were captured and summa-
rily executed.
The fate of these men has naturally ex-
cited the hyeGest commiseration in this
country--no one can Justly feel any other
emotion on their account. Instead of re-
naming at home, and each one industrious
" pursuing an honest avocation and dis
charging the duties of good citizens, they
volunteered in a desperate enterprise, TAX
ing their lives in their hands, and they have
paid the forfeit. Possibly the greater part
oG them were deceived by the leaders into
the belief that the people of Cuba had aris-
en- to throw off the yoke of an oppressive
government; ifs they are entitled to
larger share Of pity as the dupes of wicked
and abandoned men. But the case calls
for>nothing more on the part of our people.
II is understood that the executive of the
United States has dispatched the steamer
Saranac to Cuba to ascertain the facts in
reference to the execution and the alleged
Insult to one of our mail steamers, and should
it be found that the law Of nations has been
violated in any particular by the Spanish
authorities, every necessary step will be
taken to vindicate the national honor.
In the mean time, however, meetings to
express sympathy" have been held IN ma
ny Of our large cities, and expeditions to aid
the "Patriots" are on foot in various places.
Even in Richmond it is said that Cuban
flags are flying, and many have enlisted in
the cause while in New Orleans, the pop
ular sentiment has exhibited itself in dis
graceful outrages perpetrated against the
Spanish Consul. Where all this is to end,
it is impossible to foretell; but there is rea-
son TO apprehend that the good name of our
country is in danger of being seriously tar
hiShed. Were it true, as formerly repre-
sentcd that the Cdbans were struggling for
liberty, they would command cur sympathy,
and we would most heartily wish them sue
cess. Those who rushed to their aid under
such circumstances, might be regarded as
generously periling their lives in noble
cause but in the existing state of affairs all
who have gone and all who are preparing
to 60 are no better than buccaneers, and de-
serve to be treated as such.
In reference to these occurrences, there
seems to be disposition to draw distinc-
ton between the duty of our Government
and the duty of the citizens Of the Country
which we do not appreciate or entirely I'M
derstand. 1t is admitted on all hands that
the government is bound by the law of ma
tons and by treaty stipulations with Spain,
as well as the act Of Congress in relation to
all nations, not to interfere with the author
iy of that country in Cuba, and oprevent,
by all proper means, the interference Of our
citizens; yet it seems 10 be thought that
individual citizens are morally at liberty to
act as they please without restraint. We
do not understand how . law or treaty can
bind the government and not bind the con-
science of every individual citizen. Ifitis
wrong for the government to take posses
sion Of Cuba or to aid the insurgents, it must
be wrong for the people as citizens of the
United States to do so, The right, however,
of individuals to expatriate themselves, and
take sides with either party in civil war
is undeniable-eac deciding for himself as
to the merits of the contest and sharing the
fortune of the party whose cause he espous-
cs without the privilege of appealing to his
government for protection in any emer-
sgency.
The Richmond Times in late article on
The subject, quotes VArTEL, an acknowl-
edged authority by all civilized nations, and
applies his maxims to these expeditions from
the United States against Cuba, as follows:
|. That Spain has perfect right to resist these
attempts, and in such manner as will secure her a
ganst their repetition;
2. That our Government is bound to lis prevent!
CT liens from making them
8. That lift approves or ratifes such acts OF its
citizens, il is responsible for them to the Govern
, ment Of Spain;
H. That if. by repeated failures to do its duty in
this respect, it should accuslom and authorize It's
citizens TO make these irroads into Cuba, the nation
itself would be held guilty of the offence;
, s. That nation, which thus acquires reputa-
ton for inuring other powers, and exciting domes-
tic disturbances in their dominion, justlies gene
rSl coalition against her;
g. That, it would be lawful for the U. States to
assist the Cubans in the defence Of their Liberties,
only when matters had been carried so far as to
produce civil war that is, when an oppressed people
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