The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-12-12

Although ihase offenders against the laws
ha We forfeited the protection Ct th'ir coun'
try, yct the government may, 50 taT hs IS
, consistent with its obi cations 10 other coun.
tries, and its fixed purpose to MAINTAIN ana
enforce the laws, rnfertnin sympathy Tor
their unofl,nding families and friends, aS
well as a feeling of compassion tor 'h"'n>
selves. Accordingly no proper effort has
been spared, and none will be spared, to
| procure the release Of such citizens of the
! Uni'ed States, engaged in this unlawful en-
terprise, nsare now N confinement in SPAN:
but it is to BE- hoped that such in'erpos''l"n
with the Government of that country may
not he considered as ai'Grding any ground
| of expectation that the Government OF 'hr
United States WI. hereafter, fee! itself uH-
der any obligation of duty 20 inIerccd' for
the liberation or pardon OF such persons a .
ra Migrant offenders agnins. the law of ma
| tinn- and the laws Of the United Safes
These laws must be executed. II we de-
sire to maintain our responsibility among
the nations OF the earth. it behooves ns to
enforce steadily and sternly the neutrality
nets passed hy Congress, and To follow. as
fur as mnv be. the violation of those ncts
with condlgn punishment.
Bat what gives q peculiar crmina'lty to
this invasion CT Cnoa, is, that under the
lead of Spanish subjects and with the md Of
crizens of the United States, i, Ind its or.
pin with many. III motives Of cupidity.-
Money was advanced tiy individuals, pros
bnhIy 10 considerable nmotnIs, to purchase
Cubqn bonds, as they have been called, is
sued by Lopez; sold, DOUBTLESS. nj very
large discount, and for the payment OF which
he public lands and pnbic prnncr'y nf Cuhn,
Of whatrvrr kind. and the fiscal resources
of the people and government OF That IS
land, from wha,cvcr source to be derived
were pledged. ns well as the good faith OF
the government expected 10 be established.
All these mems Of payment, il IS evident,
were only 10 be obtained by process "'
r'ood.hed war, and revolution. N"ne VIII
deny that ihns who set on foot military fX-
pcd!tions against foreign States by means
like these, nrc far more cI.'prbIe than me
ignnraat and the ncccssi'ous whom they IN
duce to 90 forth as the os'cnsib'c parties IN
the proceed ng. These origlnn,ors of tn"
Invasion Of Cuba seem to hive determined
with coolncss and system. upon an under"
taking which should disgrace their country,
violate ITS laws, and put 10 h'zard the nvns
of III informed and deIuded men. You will
consider whether further Legislation be nc-
cessary TO prevent the pcrpcirnllon OF snch
offences in fnUre.
fyo indlviduals Is have right 10 hnz1rd the
peace nf the country or to volnte ITS laws
uuou;rluc uoliun, of altering or returning
governments in other States. This princ
pc i. no: cnv reasonable in Itself, and in
accordance with public law. but is cngrafted
into the codes Of other nations "a well our
own. Ru, while such are tie sentiments OF
this Government, i may be added that rV
erv independent nation must be presumed to
be able to defend it's poss"ssons against un'
authorized individuais banded together I"
a,rnrk them. The Government oi the Uni.
ted Sta'es, at all t!r.rs since its es'ablISh-
m"n,, has nbsinined and has sought t" res
tran the citizens of the Country from enter
inc into controversies between other pow-
crs, and to observe all the duties of neu'rnl-
ity. Atan early period of the Government
in the Administration Of Washington. Sc
v.r,l laws were passed for this purpose
Tine main provisions Of these laws were res
enacted by the net Of April, ISIS. by
which, amongst other things, II was declar-
ed that if any person shall, within the ter
rltury or lurlshIcricn of the United Sta'es'
begin. or set on foot, or provide. or prepare
Ike means for any military expedition or en-
lcrpgiSe 10 be carried on from thence against
the territory or dumninD of any foreign
prince ur State, or Of any colony. district,
or people with whom the United States are
at peace, every person so offending shall be
! stnu,
.ha II be fined, not exceeding three thousand
dollars, aud imprisoned not more than three
years; ard his law has been executed nnden>
force d to the full extent of the power OF the
Grverrmcm from that day to this.
In pruclnimirg and ndhcrrg to the doc
,rne If neutrality and non. .ntervcn'i"n, the
United States hnve not followed The lead OF
other civilized nations; they have taken the
lead themselves, and hav" been followed by
others. This vas admitted by one I the most
eminent + modern British statesmen. who
said in Parliament, while minister OF the
crown, "that If he wished for a guide in
system Of neutrality, he should take that
la down by America in the days OF Wash-
ington and the secrelaryship of Jeferson;'
and we see. 10 fact, that the act OF Congress
of ISIS was followed, the succeeding year,
nv an act of the Parliament of England.
substantially the same in its general provi-
sions. Up to that time there had been no
similar law in England, except certain high
" penal statutes passed in the reign OF
George H., prohibiting English subjects
from enis'ing in foreign service. the avow-
ed object of which statutes was. that for.
egn armies, raised for the purpose OF res.
toring the house of Stuart 10 the throne,
should not be strengthened by.recrults from
Eng land herself.
All must see that difficulties may arise IN
carving the laws referred to into execution
in n country now having three or four thou
sand miles of sea coast. Nth an INFINITE
number of ports and harbors an' small IN.
lets, from some of which unlawful expedi'
,ions may suddenly set forth. without the
knowledge Of Government. against the pos
sessions Of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all. but en'ang-
ling alliances with none, has long been
maxim with US. Our true mission IS not !"
propa gate our opinions, or impose upon o'h>
er countries our fora of government, BY
arlifice or force; but to teach BY example.
and show by our success, moderation ono