Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-08

berg better informed themselves. have We
led away the afdor of youth and an ill-di
reeted love ofpoltical liberty. The cor
respondence between this Government AM
that OF Spain relating 10 this transaction i
herewith communicated.
Although these offenders agains, tht
laws have forfeited the protection OF .thai
country, yet the Government may, so fa
as is consistent with its obligations to o,hel
countries, and lis fixed purpose 10 maintain
and enforce the laws, entertain sympu.n,
Tor their unoffanding families and friends
us well as feeling OF compassion for them
selves. Accordingly no proper effort has
been spared, and hone will be spared, Il
procure the release of such cnizens of the
United States. engaged in this unlawful
enterprise, as are now in confinement in
Spain; but it issto be hoped that such in
terposilon with the government of thai
country may not be considered rs affrd.ne
any ground of expectpiion that the govern
menl Of the United States will, hereafter,
feel itself under any obligation of duty 10
in,arcede for the liberation or pardon OF
such persons Us are hagrant offenders
against the law Of nations and the laws oi
the United States. These laws NAV be ex.
eculed. II we desire to maintain our re.
spectabiiity among the nations of the earth,
1t behooyes US 10 enforce steadily and stern.
ly the neutrality acts passed by Congress,
and 10 follow, MS far as may be, the siola-
ton of those acts with condign punish
men.
But what gives peculiar criminality TO
this invasion Of Cuba is, that under The
lead OF Spanish subjects, and with the aid
of citizens Of Tho United States, it had its
origin, with many, in motives Of cupidi,y.
Money was advanced by individuals, prob>
| ably in considerable amounts, TO purchase
| Cuban bonds, MS they have been called, is
sued by Lopez, sold. doubtless at a verv
large discount, and for the payment Of
which the public lands and public property
vi Cuba. of whatever kind, and the fiscal
resources Of The people and government Of
the island from whatever source 10 be de-
rived, were pledged, as we'll as the good
tuilh Of the government expected to be es-
,ablished. All these means of payment, ii
is evident. were only TO be obta med by n
process of 5loodshed, war and revolution
None will deny that those who set on foot
military expeditions against foreign States
by means like these, are far more culpabe e
than the ignorant and necessitous whom
they induce TO go forth as the ostensibe
parres IN the proceeding. These orgina
tors OF the invasion OF Cuba seem to have
determined, with GOODNESS and system upon
an unde rtaklng which should disgrace their
country, violate its laws, and put to hazard
the lives Of i'll informed and deluded men
You will consider whether further leglsla.
.ion be necessary TO preven. the prepe,ra.
ton Of SUCH offences in future.
No individual has right 10 hazard the
pence OF the country or 10 violate lis laws
upon vague notions Of altering or re.
forming governments in other States -
This principle is not only reasonable in it,
self, and in accordance with public Law.
but is engra(ied into the codes of other na-
lons as well as our own. But while such
are the sentiments of this Government it
may be added that every independent ma
lion must be presumed 10 be able To defend
its possessions agains, unauthorized Individ-
uals banded together TO attack them. ''he
Government of the United States, at all
times since its establishment, has abs,aired
and has sought TO restrain the citizens of the
country. from entering into controversies
between other powers, and TO observe ali
the duties Of neutrality. At an early peri
cd Of the Government, in the administra-
tion Of Washington, several laws we're
passed for this purpose. The main pro
visions OF there laws were re enacted by
the act of April, 1918, by which, amongst
other things,t was declared that if any per
son shall, within the territory or jurisdc
ton Of the United Suites, begin, or set Oh
fool, or pr'vide, or prepare the means for
any military expedition or enterprise to be
carried on from thence against the terrific
ry or doWinions Of any foreign prince or
State, or of any colony dis,ric, or people
with whom the Un,,ed States are nt peace.
every person So offending shall be deemed
guilty of high misdemeanor, and shall be
fined not exceeding three thousand dollars,
and imprisoned not exceeding three years;
and This law has been executed and ensorc-
ed, to the full extent of the power Of the
Government, from that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhereing 10 the doc
,rine Of neutrality and non Intervention,
the United States have not followed the
lead of other civilized nations; they have
taken the lead themselves, and have been
followed by others This was admitted by
one of the most eminent of modern British
statesmen, who said in Parliment, while
minister Of the crown, tthat if he wished
for guide in system of neutrality, he
should take that laid down by America in
the days Of Washington and the secretary,
ship OF Jefferson;" and we see in fact, tha,
the act of Congress Of 1918 was followed,
the succeeding wear. by an act Of the Par
liment Of Eng land, substantially the same
in its general provisions. Up to that time
there had been no similar law in England,
except certain highly penal statutes passed
in the reign of George II 4. prohibiting
English suhec:s from eniisling in foreign
service, the avowed object of which statutes
was, that foreign armies raised for the pur
pose Of restoring the house Of Stuart, to
the throne should no: be strengthened by