Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-11

Hl' ulIough rash ana untounded eXpec
tatlons OF assisting to accomplish politi
cal revolutions in other States, and bav
lost their lives in the undertaking. To,
severe a judgment can hardly be passe,
by the indignant sense of the communit,
upon those who, being better informe;;
than themselves, have yet led away tn,
ardor OF youth and an ill-directed love O
political liberty. The correspondence,
between this Government and that OF
Spain, relating 10 this transaction, i,
herewith communicated. Although thes,
oteoiers against Fhe laws nave foYfehet
the protection of their country, vet the
government may, SO far is consistent
with its obligation to other countries, ant
its fixed purpose to maintain and en-.
force the laws, entertain sympathies for
their unoifending families and friends, az
well as feeling of compassion for them
selves. Accordingly, no proper effort
has been spared, and none will be SPAR
ed, 10 procure the release of such citi-
zens OF the United States, engaged in
the unlawful enterprise US are now in
confinement in Spain; but it is to be
hoped that such interposition with the
Government of that country may not be
considered as affording any ground of ex-
pectation that the Government of the u
nited States will hereafter feel itself un-
der any obligation of duty to intercede
for the liberation or pardon of such per-
sons as are fragrant offenders against the
laws Of nations and the laws Of the Uni
ted States. These laws must be execu-
ted if we desire to maintain our respec-
liability among the nations Of the earth.
1t behooves us to enforce, strictly and
sternly, the neutrality acts passed by
Congress, and to follow, as far as NAV be,
the violation of those acts with condign
punishment, But what gives a peculiar
criminality to this invasion of Cuba is,
that, under the lead of Spanish subjects.
and with the aid of citizens of the Uni
ted States, it had its origin in motives of
cupidity. Money was advanced by in
diViduals, probably IN considerable a.
mounts, to purchase Cuban Bonds, as
they have been cailed-issued by Lopez
sold. doubtless. at verv large dis
count, and for which the public lands
and the public property Of Cuba, of what
ever kind, and the fiscal resources of the
people and the government of that Island,
from whatever source TO be derived,
were pledged-as well as the good faith
of the government expected to be estab-
lished.. All this means of payment, it is
evident, were only to be obtained by
process of bloolshed, war and revolu-
tion. None will deny, that those who
set on foot military expeditions against
foreign States, by means like these, are
far more culpablc than the ignorant and
the necessitous, whom they induce to go
forth as the ostensible parties in the pro-
ceeding. These originators of the inva-
sion of Cuba seem to have determined
with GOODNESS and system upon an un-
dertaking which should disgrace their
country, violate its laws, and put to haz-
ard the lives of ill-informed and deluded
men. You will consider whether fur
ther Legislation will be necessary to pre-
vent the perpetration of such offences in
future. No individuals have a right TO
hazard the peace of the country, or vio-
late its laws, upon vague notions Of alter
ing or reforming governments in other
States. This principle is not only rea-
enable in itself, and in accordance with
public law, but is engrafted into the
codes of other nations as well as our
own. But while such are the sentiments
of this government, tmay be added, that
every Independent nation must be pre-
sumed to be able TO defend its posses
sions against unauthorized Individuals
banded together TO attack them. The
government of the United States, at all
times since It's establishment, has alb
stained, and has sought TO restrain, the
citizens Of the country from entering In
TO controversies between other powers,
and 20 observe all the duties of neutrnli-
ty. AT an early period OF tho govern
,ment~-in the administration of Washing
tonv-severai laws were passed for this
purpose. The mair provisions OF these
laws were resenacted by ac; Of April,
lS1S-~by which among other things, il
was declared, that if any person shall,
within the territory or jurisdiction Of the
United States begin to set on fsot, OR
provide, or prepare the means for any
military expedition or enterprise, 60 be
carried on from thence against the Ter
ritory or dominion Of any foreign Prince
or State, or of any colony, district or
people with whom the United States are
at peace-every person so offending shall
be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor,
and snail be fned not exceeding three
thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not
exceeding three years. And this law
has been executed and enforced to the
Pull extent Of che power of the Govern
ment, from that day to this. In pro-
claiming and adheriDg to the neutraAitk
and nonintervenlion, the United States
have not followed the lead of otherSfia-
tions-they have taken the lead them
selves, and have been followed by 9TH
ers. This was admitted by one Of the
most eminent of modern British States
men, who said in Parliament, whilst a
/ Minister of the Crown, that il he wished
!, for guide Ia a system Of neutrality, he
a should take that laid down by America
an the days of Washington aud the Sec
Ne etaryship Of Jefferson, and we see, in
re at, that the act Of Congress of 1918 was
IN f,pwed the succeeding year by an act OF
N. 'holrliameM Of England substantially
the N,n,. in ts ,,anhr,I nrnvisions Ur