Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-09-12
The Cuban Tragedy.

The Cuban Tragedy.
We copy the following Geographic dispatch
of Cuban News, from the last N. Y. Tribune,
only remarking that we regard the Resolution,
adopted by the passengers of the Cherokee
denuncatory of the American Consul at Ha-
vana, Mr.. OWEN, as not only wholly uncalled.
for, but as likely to prove in the highest degree
unjust to that gentlemen. What did these irres-
ponsible and anonymous wholesale censurers
of an American Consul know of the merits or
dement's of his official conduct? Absolutely |
nothing. And until their Wholesale denuncla-
ton of that gentleman shall be proved to be
true, we ahall hold those who utter them las we
hold other anonymous assaants) TO be calum-
motors of better men than themselves. We
look upon Lopez and bis companions as Buc-
cancers and Pirates AS men attempting to
dishonor the American name and flag, by using
them as a pretert for invading the territories of
a Nation with which we are under the solemn
guarantees and obligations of TREATY OF
PEACE AND AMITY, They deserved the un-
happy fac they have met. They sought it III
open contempt of both the honorable and patti
otto Proclamation of President FILLMORE,
and the established Law of Nations. BY both,
they were Outlaws and Pirates. The People
OF Cuba had not risen in opposition to the
Government under which they have lived for
four hundred wears, and the adventurer, Lopez,
and his deuded companions emphaticaIly found
| IL Ia ~ ,ir I'd
fate we cannot regret that their detestable ''ex-
petition" has utterly failed. 1t was begottcn
| in open violation Of the PRINCIPLES no less than
the LAWS of this Republic, and no one who de-
sires the perpetuty Of the American Union can
fail to rejoice at its utter discontinue. The
American Consul at Havana Mr., OWEN, pro-
badly performed his Whole duty, under the en-
barrassng and peculiar circumstances. The
Proclamation of President FILLMORE made
these Lopez adventures Outlaws, and placed
them wittout the protection Of the American
Consulate They were captured as invaders
of the peace and tranquility of a nation with
whom this Republic is under Treaty of per-
petual friendship and amity. Mr.. OWEN had
nothing more to do with them, officially, than
he has with natives of France or Eng land
They were Outlaws, and nothing else Ac'
counts state that what he could do, unotiicially
in their behalf he did. More than this hi
ought not to have done, and, as the Representa-
tive of the United States, he could not do Th'
censure cast upon him, therefore, by these un
| 81
p Cherokee" we look upon as wholly unwar
rantable and unjust,-at any rate till we cal
q " hear the other side" The presumptionS arr
all in favor of the Consul Those who thinl
I that the " mission of this Republic Is to dis
# seminate its principles, and enlarge its terrific
~, BY the uliima ratio Regum," may thin
{ otherwise.
S The following is the Trbune's Dispatch
Il New ORLEANS, Sept. 4, 1851.
# The steamship Cherokee, direct from H5
70 vana, has arrived at her wharf From pas
" senrers, we learn of the complete tallur
'r and annhilatlon of the Lopez expedition l
U Cuba.
Passengers who witnessed the execution {
Lopez. state that he ended his life mantul y
] ne lalluIc VI Tue I'm pNH4Ni'i - "''iA'"'~
&c to the separation o. Col Crittenden's comnu
of from the main body under Lopez
- The Patriots are stated to have deserted L'
poz and fled to the Mountains.
Just previous to the capture of Lopez, !
n, had but thirty remaining followers, and the
d, finally deserted him in a wounded condition
n so that he had not one remaining frlend,-f
wandered alone for some time, and was final
d run down by blood hounds. His last wore
al were
Y, "ADIEU, DEAR CUBA
~ The Spanish accounts state that OF Il
re- whole number of Patriots landed by the Par
pero and from other quarters, 500 have alrea'
I'd been killed, and the rest are now IN prison.
tia Previous to he death of Lopez, he declar
oo that he had been greatly deceived IN regard
- promised aid in Cuba.
Il A meeting of passengers was held on boa
er, the steamer Cherokee, at which Gen. Lane
ter Oregon, presided, ana the following resoiuu
es was unanimously passed:
:. Resoiued, That Alr. Owen, the Amerc
- Consul at Havana, has forfeited ecry RI
m and title to be regarded as an American q
he zen, that he has outraged every sentiment
" humanity, and deserves the cXecraton OF eve
Cd friend OF Liberty.
- Another resolution requests his recall by
=" American Government.
Is We learn by the Cherokee that Gen Prag
had been killed at Pa.as.