The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-20
From the London Chronicle, Sept. S.

From the London Chronicle, Sept. 5.
THE CUBAN NEWS IN ENGLAND.
The intelligence received yesterday from the
United States is Of an unusually grave charac-
ter Either from want Of zeal or of ability on
the part Of the authorities, the American forces
destined for Cuba embarked without moiesta
ton, and proceeded to effect descent upon the
island The preparations for the enterprise were
miseraby insufficient, and although eopsdera
Bile number of the invaders succeeded In landing
it does nct appear that any success has been
obtained oy them; at least the accounts are so
obviously exaggerated that it is not easy to be-
lieye in the victories recorded by the American
journals. OF the precise position Of affairs it is
difficult to Judge, so far as relates to the pro-
gress Of the assailants. and to the support which
they have received from The macontents Of Gu
ba. There is, however, but little reason TO ques
ton the accuracy of the general statement which
has reached us Of the events WHICH occurred Mt
HAVANA on the sixteenth OF last month On
the morning of that dav. four boats, containing
part of the American force, were captured by
the Hpaniards. The prisoners, fifty in number
were lseded and were, on the same day, execu
ted by the Spspjsh military authorities. The
news Of the proceeding has created the greatest
excitement in the States meetings have beer
held in many of the principal cities; and every
attempt has been made to heighten and prolone
the feeling aroused by the execution of Ameri-
| can citizens by a foreign government In New
Orleans, we are Informed, the popular indigna-
ton is at it's heigit--soldiers are being openly
enlisted and organized for the war, whilst fear
are entertained that any effort on the part of the
| United States Executive to enforce neutrality
| may lead to collision with the people Nor is
| the excitement less conspicuous elsewhere for
| in New York popular demonstration has taken
| place. and vengeance for the shedding of Amer
| lean blood is the watehword Of The agiators.-
At this distance it is impossible TO appreciate
| accurately the political Importance of such as
sembiages. American language and American
sentiment, exaggerated and bure qued as II
always are must be receiyed with caution. L x
we cannot avoid perceiving that tho execution
of so large a number of American prisoners, who
were connected by personal and national smy-
pathy with the democratic mobs of the large
| Cities was the one thing wanted by the annexa-
tonsts to enlist public feeling in the struggle,
and to overbear the feeble resistance of the Uni
ted States government. The resources Of the
| executive have been insufficient TO prevent fra
grant breach OF beutralitv-t remains to be seen
whether the determination of the cabinet of
WASHINGTON will be able to oppose successfully
the measures of the war party.
For the suferings of band of desperadoes,
who in time of profound peace, make DELHI.
crate attack upon the territories of a friendly
power, little pity can be felt. American citizens
had been duly warned, by the proclamstions OF
the President of the nature of the enterprise
which they undertook. They had been told in
explicit language that they would forfeit all title
to The protection of their own government, and
they had every reason TO expect to be treated
with the utmost severity. IL they fell into the
hands of the enemy. Their invasion of Cuba
must be considered merely as an act of piracy ;
they knew the risk but they chose to encounter
it, When taken prisoners, they could only be
treated as marauding freebooters they had no
claim TO the clemency which is generally dis
played towards soldiers of belligerents accord
ing TO the usages of nations; and their lives
were at the mercy Of the Spanish government.
But the wholesale execution appears TO us to
have been most i'll judged measure. II is true
that the milder treatment Of the prisoners who
had been captured on the occasion of the former
invasion had proved Intellectual to prevent n
second attempt Still il was most unwise TO en-
force the extreme right of retribuion. Punish.
ment which follows crime with such unnecessa
ry rartdity, has ALWAYS the appearance of ter,oA
or of bood-thissty revenge. II would have been
easy for the authorities Of Cuba TO have fully
maintained the rights Of the Spanish crown
without so fearful measure Of vengeance
However clear the case, such sweeping and Ia
tantaneous severity is iDdefensble, except as
a matter Of selfdefence. But 1t does not mp.
pear that any immediate danger would have been
incurred by adopting less precipitnte course
and, viewed IN relation to its consequences, this
summary mode ofpEoaeed ng was most impoli-
tic for II has served to surround in American
| eyes at least, set of marauders with the halo
I OF political martyrdom. Justice might have been
satisfied wich 'os savage punishment, and less
justification would have been given 10 American
hostility AS Il is, the Spnnisrds have put into
operation the utmost rigor OF iha law, and the
citizens Of the United States srs naturally ex-
ssperatcd--a state of feeling which is likely to
create further embarrassment fer the govern
ment Of Cuba. The aggression Of the sympa-
tbizers" has undoubtedly given the greatest pro-
vocation; but an organized government has no
right to be vindictive, and, M matter Of pru-
dence. II would have been far better 10 avoid
course ~ likely to sid TO the immediate dam
ger The worst cslumnistor of The Americans
will not accuse them Of want Of courage and
national feeling; nor will they be easily deferred
from future aggression by the punisbmant of
their countrymen, especially when Il has been
inflicted by Foreigners.