Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-25
Judge CatrOns Charge to the Grandl
@ JurV, az,

Ito the opinions of men occupying eminent judi
cial positions, and to their Interpretation Of the
law. They deserve, at all events, little more
consideration than is given to the opinions of po-
litical adventurers and demagogues-the Ry'I-
derS of the stump and of the press-which
source has been prolific in interpretations of the
law and of existing treaties, SINCE, the COM
mencement ofs the late invasion of Cuba. aAn
authorized exposition of the las, and SE the
treaty obligations CT this government from such
a source as Juge CATRoN, associate justice Of
the Supreme Court of the United States, ought,
therefore, to be regarded as very opportune and
satisfactory, TO all good citizens; and we Jake
pleasure in laying before ourseaders the charge
of the Judge, as recently delivered before the
1Grand Jury of the Circuit court at Nashville
ST. Louis Rep.
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury:
From the limited criminal jurisdiction Of this
court, and the gratifying fact chat it is not often
required to exercise that jurisdicton it is sell
dom thai we feel ourselves called OH 10 address
the Grand Jury upon being empanneed, except
ion offences for the commission Of which par
ties are in custody But recent acts and dem
onstrations, too prominently notorious to have
escaped general attention, have been committed
in this city, and which acts were professedly
done in violation of the treaties and laws OF the
United States. Our streets have been paraded
by military music, accompanied with banners,
FOR the purpose of exciting the vicious, the idle
the young, and the thoughtless, to enlist as SOL
ders, for the purpose of invading the Island of
Cuba, and aiding there, portion of its popula-
tips to overthrow the present government.
This Island is colony Of Spain, and has been
governed bye that kingdom, ever since its first
conquest from the natives, three hundred and
forty years ago. We are at peace with Spain,
and bound by several treaties to maintain peace:
and Congress has enacted stringent laws to Sc
cure an observance Of our treaties with Spain and
other nations. BY the act of 1918, it was pro-
o "SEG. 3 That if any person shall, within the
TERRITORY or jurisdictiois OF the UnitedoStates,
Ienlist or enter himself, or go beyond the limits
or jurisdiction of the United States, with intent
to be enlisted or entered in the service of any
foreign prince, state, colony, district or people,
as soldier, or as marine or seaman on board
of any vessel of warsletter Of marque, or priva-
: teer, every person so offending shall be deemed
guilty of high misdemeanor, and shah be fined
not exceeding one thousand dollars, and impris-
, 'oned not exceeding three years.
CSC, g. That if any person shall, within the
territory or jurisdiction of the United States
begin, or set on FOOT or provide, or prepare the
means for, any military expedition or enterprise
TO be carried on from thence against the terrific
d ry or domnions Of any foreign prince or state
or of any colony, or state with whom the United
States are at peace, every person so offending
shall be deemed guilty Of high 'miedemeanor
y, shall be fined not exceeding three thousand dol
;, lars, and imprisoned not exceeding three
;, years"
In open violation of this law9a large public
meeting has been held in this court house few
= weeks sincc prolessedlya notoriously, hav
S, ing for its principal object, the raising none.
by voluntary contributions, to equip men AM
- send them Off in detailed numbers, to be after
\ wards organized at New Orleans, or beyon
< there, into companies and regiments and TO aC
in military array, in conjunction with others
O! thus ta oa, overthrow its government
ms and assss.>$ = $50 her. This was done in con
tempt = ls6g@ tetiance OF our treaties with
-o foreign llatipn with which we have much com
merce, and a deep interest TO maintain peace
le In all our relations with Spain, for more tina
!" thirty wears, she has fairly and fully observe
- the faith of her treaty stipulations with the Uni
is ted States nor can we violate these treatie
ne without national disgrace. On their obserN
ance depends our honorable standing anon
- civilized nations of the earth. Ii is idle to SUI
ny pose that other nations will respect insttt
1tions, if our government is so weak, that on
, laws may be disregarded at pleasure, by disoi
SE derly and awless mobs that solemn treaties ma
be violated, foreign consuls be driven from III
-, country; and the subjects OF Foreign nations re
a. ~ siding in our sea- ports under express treat
lst sipulations, be mobbed, and their property de-
troyed That such has been the case at Ne
:, Orleans within q few weeks paSi, we all know
D. There, the law is tfodden under foot; and tn
,& is the head quarters TO which out people are il
lvited.
1t is the imperious duty of our federal Gear
- and the district attorneys representing the In
ted States in the several districts to act TO su
'c press crimes arising under the act of 1918.
m they fail to perform this duty, as part of Il
government, little can be done by the PresideI
= as no power to punish rests with him.
That the President has not been enabled
ale enforce the act Of 1918 at New Orleans, up
/. our last accounts from there, is too manifest
~ contradiction. there the law stands uneNecue
NY and the question for our consideration is, whet
er we here, are to treat it as a dead letter alsC
So far in the history Of Tennessee, deserved
lis high character has been maintained for the &C
ice tainty and ease with which we have administ'
. ed and executed the criminal laws, both III I
State and the Federal courtS--and tits our du
to act as we have always previously don
ND and firmly punish as oriRinals, all chose W
9th have done acts that are made criminal by
Can standing lawJ.
suit See who it is that has "began"-or "set
foot''--or provided means--or prepared
- means, for use or transportation, when provid
- Or who has transported men or means for 4
- .ninrnrisn nr invading Cnba, and indiet them.