The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-16

hone of aunexing the Queen Of the Antilles" The
failure Of the expeditions of last year only to
have
is true dsceuntenanced by the federal government,
and the feeble executive ut Washington did what it
could to ffustrAte them; but the instinct of sggres
sion ID not easily repressed The reckless adven-
tursrs who infest the great cities Of the Union far
from being warned by the fate of their unfortunate
comrades, appear to be only waiting for an oppor-
tunity Of renewing the invasion with better pros
Pect OF success The design is openly avowed, and
II is not condemned by public opinion. The truth
is, great portion of the American people, intoxi
Gated with prosperity, and lending greedy ear to
the iiattery of demagogues, firmly believe that the
empire OF the New World belongs TO them; and they
accordingly look with indulgent compla ,enoy upon
the efforts Of their advanced guard Of irregulsrs
Such state OF feeling gives great latitude to the
energy OF these who are willing to take the ini-
tiative, and to encounter the risks OF an annex
alton campaign. American opinion does not
scan very critically infractions of international
right, and is fully prepared to adopt the ad-
Yantsgeous results which may be obtained by the
marauding citizens Of the Union. This process has
already been twice gone through, ut the expense
of feeble and almost unresisting power. The
annexation Of Texas and the conquest of California
originated In the aggression Of private Adventures
upon the rights Of Mexico. Their success was ap-
plauded by their countrymen, and the executive of
the United States was ut length compelled to sup
port = movement so creditable to the enlightened
patriotism Of its authors, After such a precedent,
III Inc lnYauers OF CuDn persist
in their enterprise, confidently believing that for
tunate copjuncture may at any time force their
government to recognize and second their designs
The xpeditOns which last year left the ports tho
United States to assail the territories of friendly
power failed at every point As they were not OF suf
hcient force to meet the Spanish troops in the field,
whilst the Creole population refused to rise in their
favor, the affair was speedily finished and the dis
comiture OF the fibusteros damped, for time, the
enthusiasm of those who had projected AMI pre-
pared the invasion. So complete and hopeless
failure was of COURSE regarded in official quarters
in lite true light of piratical incurson, and the
federal government did not venture to countsnance
an outrage for which no excuse could be offered
Nevertheless, despite all its fatal consequences,
the adventure was not generally reprobated, as it
ought to have been, by American opinion. The
vive, and they include q large number Of persons,
who are said to have considerable funds at their
command Their hopes have been revived by recent
events in Cuba, and although their future move.
of last year, it is certain that they are prepared to
take advantage of any opportunity which may
arise from the discussions between the Spanish
government and its colonial subjects. The disaf-
tcced Creoles receive assistance and encou
from the United States; their journals are printed
in America. and are introduced by American
agents; and supplies of arms and ammunition have
been furnished from the same quarter. In fact,
Spain has to deal not only with its own dscon-
tented subjects, but also with the American sympa-
thzers, who most active in their hostility and
wbo whenever they are threatened, sppeal to their
countIymen for moral support, and to the federal
stances, we scarcely blame the Spanish authori-
ties, at a moment when they are menaced with an
insurrection in Cuba, for taking any precautions
which may appear necessary to repress foreign inter
ference in the affairs of the island. 1t may or may
not be true that unnecessary and pjudicious rigor
has been used in preventing the landing of Ameri-
can citizens at Havana; yet, all things con-
sidered, we cannot condemn the Spanish GO
r. - IL Il.
ly possesses, ror can we subscribe to the resolu.
tioDs passed at indignation meetings at New
Orleans and elsewhere The President, however,
seems to have been so far influenced BY what has
Havana, to protect the American flag. We shall be
glad il ii turEs out that this step has been taken
with the Wow of controlling American citizens,
rather than Of coerciDg or intmidating the Spanish
authorities; but it is clear that every means will be
employed by the antCuban party to implic ate their
government in the matter, and to persuade the
Americans that their flag has been insuted by the
officers of European power. 1t il very far from
our intention to impeach the good faith of the ex-
ecutive at Washington in these transactions On
the contrary, we are disposed to believe that Mr..
Fillmore has done all that lay in his power to pre-
vent the designs Of the llibusters from being car
ried into execution. But, has been seen on for
occasions the moderation of the President is Of
little avail to restrain the aggressive opensitcs of
American citizens, or to keep within bounds the
national instinct of acquisitiveness. The exag-
ge1dteu license OF INDIVIDUAL ACTON winch exists
in the United States owing to the enormous
field open to the restless portion OF their popu.
lation, has produced habit of lawlessness,
which is, to say the least, extremely dangerous
to those countries which enjoy the. doubtful ad.
vantage Of territorial contguty to the free and en-
lightened republic. In the case before u.s. there is
. constant and scarcely concealed conspiracy
against Spain, for which not shadow Of provoca-
ton has been given. The "Order of tie Lone
Ster-as the association Of freeb ooters is roman.
tically designated on its operations in a
time Of profound peace and when the Spanish
government, naturally alarmed ct dem constructions
against their authors and abettors, attempts are
made to raise cry that INJURIES have been done to
Americans which must be avenged by arms. 1t is
simply the fable Of the wolf and lamb over again.
Yet this fragrant wrong is sanctioned by the public
sentiment Of the Union, and the pous moralists of
Boston and Philadelphia enter protest against it
The truth is the American people are too ap. to
view these things with reference to their own poti
morality. They know tina. the Cuban creoles are
cfete race, and they Sieve that Spain has not
strength to defend her colony. They also perceive
that the acquisition Of the island would bring with
it the command Of the Gulf Of Mexico; and
whilst .Southern politicians look to annexation
to compensate the growing prepondersnce OF
the North, and to restore the balance between
the free and slave States, all the adventurous
spirits of the Union are eager for the plumber OK
ciemen.. and glory Of successful war The pros
peet Of such advantages is too much for Americsn
virtue, and overpswers the better influences by
which, under other circumstances, so moral and en-
lightened people would have been guided There
is reason to suppose that the authors of the pre-
sent movement have any sympathy with the Creoles
Of Cuba, or that they are anxious to all in the
emancipation Of a race whom they despse and they
certainly cannot be regarded particularly jealous
behalf Of the slave population of the island. 1t
is neither political nor social propagandism in
which the Order Of the Lone Star is eusted--the
whole affair is simply speculation, which may or
may not turn out to be profitable but for which, at
any rate, M excuse can be found. Tho American
people would do we'll to reflect on the consequences
which may follow from so fragrant . violation Of
law and right, and the just cause of offence which
would be1given to European powers by the unpro-
voked invasion Of Cuba. No State, in modern times,
has ever been powerful enough to So itself above the
law Of nations with impunity; and even the boascd
strength Of republican institutions would fail
in carrying out policy Of systematic violence
and oppression. The statesmen of America will,
we doubt not. make every endeavor to avert the
mischief which popular passion and private interests
may seek to bring about, and they may al rely