North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-03-19
CEN orfIrMAN-


We learn from our latest Southern exchanges, thai
Gen. Henderson's third trial for an alleged partcipa
ton in the Cuban expedition has resulted as the
two former did, in failure of the jury to agree
On the last trial susn Of the jury were for acqutta
to one for conviction.
AS soon this result was known, the Attorney fol
the United States entered nolie prOsequ in all the
cases of parties alleged to have been concerned in
this expedition, including Gen. Qutman, late Gov
ernor of Mississippi. Thus ends this ridiculous farce
this atsemptby the Fillmore Administration to pun
ISL free American citizens for synpathizing with the
oppressed and down-trodden people of Cuba.
The New Orleans Delta, a neutral paper, thus
speaks of the liberal and unrelenng course of the
Administration towards the accomplished and gallant
Quitman:
"GEN. QUITMAN. This gallant and distinguished
gentleman will return, in few days, to the generous
and devoted constituency from whom, but a few
weeks ago, he ruthlessly and unnecessarily
torn, and dragged this city, merely to crafty the
prejudice and hostility of political foes. The charge
upon which the Federal Government insisted that
the sovereign State of Mississippi should surrender
up the Chief Executive into the hands of the Gov
eminent, of which that sovereign State is of the
creators, has been abandoned by the representative of
the federal authority. But this voluntary
of the Government has been adopted, in order to
inevitable acqutal Of that gentleman, if the matter
had ever been brought to trial. And now, what is
the position in which this result places the Federal
Government! There We're about dozen persons
indicted for being engaged in this Cuba expedition
all Of whom were ready for trial.
The case of General Henderson has already con-
sumed two months; there is reason to suppose
that the other would not have taken so long
time, and thus the better part of two years would
have been consumed in the trial of the other parties
besides General Quitman. Suppose, however, that
these took up the rest of the ermand of that
there could be doubt-it is certain that by placing
General Quitman last, his term of Office Governor
of MISSISSIPPI would have expired before his trial.
Now, all that the Governor asked that the pro-
cess against him should be waved, and when the
Government ready to proceed with this case, he
his pledge of honor that he would be the spot
to meet the charge. His for making this re-
quest was that he did not believe it compatible with
the sovereignty of the State which he represented,
to be detained as prisoner by another authority.
Right or wrong, these were his honest convictions !;
they the convictions, too of large class of
people, and of some of the most distinguished con-
stttutiolal lawyers in the country. Such opinions
were entitled to some respect.
1t evident that, in this view of his duty, Gov.
Quitman had but two alternatives. The one was to
resist the process of the FEDERAL cOurt-the other
10 resign his post Governor of Mississippi. Due
notice given of the attitude assumed by him. The
question then arises-did the nature of the charge
against General Qui;man of the proofs in the pos
justify the Government in forcing him one the
other of these alternatives The result of the trials
gives satisfactory negative to this query. Butt
further, if the charge and proofs serious
than they are, not the wellIascrtained fact.
that the other could be got through with in
time to reach Gov. Quitman's before the expiration
Of his term of Office ample and satisfactory
tor the acceptance of the Governors proposition
There be no hesitation, in any properly organ
zed mind, in answering this question. Had the
Government Influenced
rights of the States of this confederacy-by any of
that comfy which exists even between foreign and
independent nations-it would have said I" We will
not, to accommodate dear friends of Spain,
force the Governor of Mississippi into
open with US, into resignation of his office.
We will embarrass the affairs of of the States of
he contederacy unnecessarily. We will wait until
We ready TO proceed with the Governors trial."
Such would have been the dictate of nagndnmity-
If respect for State sovereignty. Such too,
would have saved the State of Mississippi from great
and the federal officers in this city,
rom the reproaches which thickly heaped
lpon them, for the lame and mpotent conclusion to
which their labors have The Government has
'een ignominiousl y foiled and defeated. Gen. Quit
nan has not been forced into position of resistance
o the Federal Authority, to afford grounds for
n indictment for high treason, expected. And
to the triumph in his resignation, it is but barren
ne. The gallant people of Mississippi will regard
their sacred duty to restore him to the executive
ost from which he was indecorously, unjusty,
no Improperly uTdSSeu 10 oance attendance on pro-
eedings got up, it is avowed, wholly to satisfy
he pride of foreign despotisn.'
The above, be it remembered, is from a neutral
aper.
1t would be like repeating Z" thrce-told tale " TO
scount Gen. Qutnan's brilliant achievements, to
ketch his civil and military The American
eople know him already; his name is Sc familiar in
ler mouths as hou sehold words" He it was who,
mid the lances and muskets of the foe and hail
form of bullets, fought up to the gates of Mexico
the head of his glorious, Regment-fought through
lie gates, and planted, first and almost alone, the
ag Of his country in the conquered capital. 1t was
vain that he had proved himself brave, true, hon.
st, and worthy of the highest honors his State could
estow it in vain that he asked to have his trial
ostponed, pledgng his word of honor that he would
Dpear at the expiration of his term Governor-he
as treated, suspicion, like telon-was COM
elled resign his Office and submit to be dragged to
lew Orleans to be tried for offence, which the Uni
d States Attorney, by entering the noAk proseQui,
as now confessed he never committed, and of which
e was totally innocent! This is the blacklist of all
e black chapters in this Fillmore Administration,
I'd it ought to and will consign it to lasting infamy.
en-. Quitman's crimes were as follows:
Ist He is Democrat, and devoted friend of
outhern rights.
2ndy. He did not fling up his cap and cry Union
MON but he stood up boldly for his State and Sec
on.
3dly. He sympathized with the oppressed Cubans,
I'd detested and detests the Spanish monarchy.
Mr.. Fillmore could threaten the sovereign State of