The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-10
A New View Of the Cuban Affair.

New View Of the Cuban Affair.
The New York Herald of Monday, contains
the statement that LOPEZ and his friends were
enticed into Cuba by stratagem of the Captain
General and some of his officers, and adds that
the discovery has been the subject of discussion
at meeting of the Cabinet
Whether such charge can be proved, we
very much question, as the Spanish authorities
are too knowing in such intrigues to involve
themselves so carelessly. And if it could be
proved, we question whether the government
would think it right to press matter implicat-
ing the honor of Spanish officials.
That LOPEZ did not venture out there with
out strong assurances of support, no one will
question. That he had the good wishes of all
liberal, educated Cubans, we believe to be true
But those having much to lose were among the
last to aid him personally, until he had distin-
guished himself by some signal success. The
lower classes, in all probability were, as stated
against the liberators and so long as they are
30 disposed, the better class of that island can
make, of themselves, no successful move
The Captain General was well aware of this
state of things. He was anxious to stife in the
bud any hopes entertained by them, and put an
end to their reliance upon LOPEZ by entrapping
and destroying him.
In a Catholic country, like Cuba, where so
little has been done for general education, the
common people have no mind of their own
They are what the same class was in Spain dur
ing the invasion Of NAPoLEoN-what the Bretons
and Vendeans were in France during the great
revolution, mere instruments in the hands of an
anti-liberal party.
1t is grave question, however, and one that
cannot fail to agitate this country, that of the
destruction of some 400 American citizens, after
enticing them over under false representations.
If this can be shown sufficiently to satisfy the
public mind, we trust that measures will be taken
to demand most signal reparation, if not the
punishment of the assassins For, whatever
may be said of the error of invading neighbor
ing and independent State, the fact that authori
ties or officials of that Sta'e should have de
is Just as nefarious as would be the conduct o
an individual who should invite stranger into
his domicile under some equally specous pre-
text and murder him.
We would ask, what course either EnglarC
or France would pursue, supposng the Span
ish government had enticed some hundreds
Of their subecs into Spain, in order to
catch one or two refugees, and then massacred
or imprisoned the whole Of them?
Would not fleet be sent instantly to demand
satisfaction, the restoration of the captives, and
compensation to the families Of the butchered 7
or course il would. And shall not American
citizens have an equal right TO protection
We feel the more strongly for these deluded
men, because the generous and the brave would
be among those most likely to be so entrapped
And we would appeal to the letters themselves
written by these unfortunates, as a proof that
they were not influenced by piratical motives
as some of our cotemporaries have most un-
worthiy asserted.
We trust that the government will sift the
matter to the foundation. And should the docu.
ments, said to be in this country, indicate with
sufficient clearness the participation of the Span
ish Governor and officials in such truly pira,ical
ambuscade most severe retaliation should be
made, in order to show our neighbors and foe,
that the generous and sympathizing spirit of on
countrymen is not thus to be taken advantage
OF, to crafty aristocratic animosities and hatre
of republicans.