Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-11
From Ms 81. Louis hntslligeHer.
THE CUBAN AFFAIR.

cent atrocity perpetTatcu Dy inc OoFothoI Och-
eral' Of Cuba, upon the fifty Americans, has pro-
duoed an intense excitement in almost every
part of che Union. Large and excited meetings
have been held al New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Pitssbirg, Louisville, Frankfort,
Savannah and various other places, at all Of
which the barbarities Of the Cuban authorities,
have been denounced in the strongest terms
We do not see what other result Governor Gem
eral Concha could have anticipated. IL he had
known ever so little Of the temperament Of our
people, or had been stupidity ignorant OF human
nature, ne could scarcely have failed to foresee
that the brutal butchery Of fifty young A
mericans would have caused feeling OF indig-
nant horror throughout the United States, which,
sooner than any other cause, would hasten the
catastrophe which he seeks to avert.
Such wholesale butchery in cold blood, could
not have failed to produce intense excitement,
whether its victims, in a strict sense, merited
their fate or not. He had abundant evidence
that there was in this country strong sympa-
thy with what are supposed to be, the expressions
under which tine people o. CGtSA az Sse::ss!tes
down. He knew, or ought to have known, that
however diligently and faithfully our government
might exert itself to maintain it's treaty stipu-
latons with Spain, or its oblg ations friendly
power, yet with so extensive a sea-board as
mites Of evading the law, no power of the gov
eminent could restrain the popular enthusiasm,
when once thoroughly aroused, by revolving
deed Of cold-bloooed massacre. We wave al
together, the question of his right, under the
law of nations, to infct the summary punish
ent which he meted out to them. But as
cv sstion Of State policy, he has treated it in
er which either marks him as Z hlood-thirsty
W" ", or as an imbecle, unworthy Of the post
Of W. Ids. If he had restrained these young men
e of CIR liberty for short time, and had treated
4, aui as the victims Of an insane delusion, rem
49,. ing them powerless for further aggression,
: Jut at the same time extending to- them, the
! clemency Of the government, he would in some
degree have disaTmed his foes; at all events he
would not haye aroused the intense excitement
which now prevails throughout this country. If
anything could accelerate the downfall Of his
power, and the independence Of, Cuba, it was
precisely such an atrocity as he has perpetrated,
whereby the popular sympathies have been
touched, and an increased impulse given to the
feelng-call it patriotism, love of adventure,
a desire of acquisition, or whatever else you
will-which animates large masses Of people in
this country. We have not been, and are not
now amongst those who would encourage an un-
lawful and dangerous aggression upon the rights
Of friendly power. Up to this hour we have
seen no sufficient evidence that the people Of
Cuba desire to change their government. We
have had quite as little doubt that the govern
ment Of Cuba is one of the most despotic and
tyrannical now existing amongst civilized nations;
nevertheless, SO long as the people Of that is
land choose to submit to it tamely it is not our
business TO force upon them the blessings Of
freedom against their will In the absence Of
any sufficient evidence that the people Of Cuba
desire or are willing even to make ano effort tc
establish free government, we have deemed il
not only rash and ill-advised, but hazardous t.
the peace of the country for her citizens to en-
gage in Quixotic expeditions for the Liberation
of people who have not besought their add
The first expedition Of Lopez, we considered
at the time, to be one of the most ridiculous ex
, petitions of the day; whether his second effor
will prove more successful, or will be more en-
titled to consideration remains to be seen. If i
shall turn out in the sequel that the popula
sympathies are with him, and that the people o
: Cuba are ready to rally under his standard witt
: a view to overturn the iron despotism unde
u which they live, he will have with him the cor
l. dial earnest good wishes of every lover Of free
IS dom in this country and throughout the world
l. We sincerely hope that such may prove 20 r
o the state Of public feeling in Cuba, ard =. :.
s rotten Gespotism of which Gov. Ger con ,ot
= fit exponent may be scattered 60 the winds
e. But, however ardently we nav desire this %,
i summation the duty 81 our government i, I,
- PLAIN TO be mis:ak EN- or paltered with. We a,
al peace %ltc Spain and are bound by the mo
- so.cp.h obligations to prevent, if possible,
: military organizations within the jurisdiction
'e the United States, which are intended to distu
as the peace Of friendly power. A due sense
nd self respect, and proper regard for the opinio
he OF mankind, all unite with the highest oblig
g. tons OF duty, to- require of the government
the United States, strict observance of the Ia,
tn That it will be thus observed, by President Fl
lie more and his cabinet to the utmost of their alb
m iiy, we entertain no doubt. 1t is the duty
s. all good citizens to aid and assist the Executy
as far as practicable, in the performance Of u
he duty. ~ ="
he but whilst we thus perform our duty, if I
US Caoans s1all show that they are resolved up
tie an earnest effort to throw off the yoke Of Spa
t. Trey will deserve and will receive the cord
mt sympathy, not only of the Government but
the entire people of the United States. ]
nj that can be done compatibly with the law of I
,tb tons, ought to be done and will be done by O
is people, to aid and encourage them in this effo
or The recent barbarity of the Cuban authoriti
or has made profound impression upon the mass
in in this country, which will render them eager
ce. avenge the cruel deed. From present indie
,te ions we fear there is Just ground to appreher
Of that by many, the law will be trampied und
in foot, and our obligations to friendly power {,
gotten, in their zeal to avenge the blood of tn
49, unfortunate countrymen. The Governor &c
'o eral little dreamed Of the storm he was arousi
Lo when he signed the death warrant of the unhs
Oe Ply prisoners.
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