The southern press., 1851-08-29
Cuba.

.
We have been anxious for more certain &C
counts OF recent events in Cuba, than were
brought by the Cherokee; bat it is probable
that week may elapse before we get them
Meanwhile the papers Indulge in the greatest
variety aud extravaganza of conjecture and of
principle. The Spanish paper of New York,
La CrOaic dwells with much force on the re-
sponsibility assumed by the American sympa.
thiscrs, who invade community where the pro-
portion of slaves is 30 great ms to endanger the
whole white race, in cnse Of a conflict within it.
self This is an important consideration. But
the Spanish government rendered itself respons-
ible also, for imposing an amount of taxes and
exerting degree of power, sufficient to exas-
perate people thus critically situated TO resist
ance. But are the people Of Cuba discontended!
We confess, We have seen no adequate evidence
But we presume those from this country who
have engaged in ehecting her independence,
have some such knowledge or nformation----for
nothing but insanity could account otherwise
for their movements.
There seems to be very prevalent notion
among our conservative cotemporares that the
invaders of Cuba are liable to the penalties of
piracy and outlawry. Those who have engaged
in these expeditions went in warlike array to en-
counter a formidable Spanish force in the field
not TO rob and murder peaceable men and
women, as pirates and outlaws do. We have
not particle of doubt that if the invaders of
Cuba are successful in any battle, they will re-
spect punctiously the laws of war, and spare
the lives of captives; and they are, therefore,
regard, therefore, the execution of the ffty-two
men captured by the Spanish forces, as an afro
city, with or without trial, with or without mu.
tilation. But if they have, without trial, been
both shot and mutilated, the outrage ia most ag.
grsvated, Yet il is not such an outrage as our
government can, as such, resent; for the expe-
dition is contrary to our laws, and the men who
thus undertook to maintain revolution in Gu
ba, renounced their rights as citizens of the
Unit d States. They had, however, the same
moral right 10 aid the Cubans, if the latter were
believed to be determined on independence, as
LAFAYETTE, KoscIUsco, PORTER, BYRON and
BEN had, to aid us Mexico, Greece, and Hung
AIRY.
IL fSpan would govern Cuba with wisdom and
liberality, it would, we think, be our policy for
the latter to remain subject; for we have an
interest in keeping part of Europe identified
with slavery-and we are averse to the annexa-
ton of alien people. But if Spain will not OBJ
serve liberal policy towards Cuba, and the lat
ter is determined to throw off the author
ity Of the mother country, we think il clear
dictate of both policy and humanity for our gov.
ernment at once to purchase the Island of Spain,
il ii can be done--and thus prevent the effusion
of blood. For SO long as Cuba is discontented,
she will have multtudes of allies among the
people of this country, and it will be impossible
for the government to prevent their Intervention.
AS for the alleged insult to our flag, in refer
ence to the Falcon, we don't so consider it. The
Spanish war steamer fired shots first astern and
then ahead Of the Falcon, to bring her to. This
was done at the peril or on the responsibility of
the Spanish officer or government For if he
had been resisted by the Falcon, and the latter
her crew or passengers, had suffered, the Span
lard would have been liable for all the conse
quences. But id such case where Cuba was
actually threatened with invasion, and where the
Spaniards had reason to fear enemy in every
vessel, it was sufficient TO authorize them to as
sumo the responsibility of examining; and we
think Captain RoDGERs, who commanded the
Falcon, was right in allowing Spanish officer
to come aboard to verify the character of the
Falcon; although, if the latter had been armed,
and could have resisted with impunity, she had
the right to do il. ..a ... ]
nirest Trade With Suwans