The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-04

anu claim 70 entertain as nlgn respect fOr
law, for truth, and for such virtues as are
comprised in the character Of good citizen, as
those may affect to have who use official station
as license to propagate detraction. And before
the American people thus defend myself against
all disparaging charges and destinations contained
in the Presidents procamations, so far as am con-
cerned. JOHN HENDERSON.
New Orleans, La, June 10, 1854.
The Inquiry after Fiiibusters.
From the New Orleans Picayune, June rs.
The search after "fibustering' expeditions, or
ilibustering organization in New Orleans, is likely
to turn out complete failure. The Grand Jury
have been occupied four or five days under the
stringent charge of q jealous Judge, and with the
aid Of very capable District Attorney, and evil
IDENTIFY have found nothing: From all present indi-
cations the only result to be expected is the put
ting Of one or two suspected persons under bonds.
This has been intimated by the Judge, but we do
not understand him as having positively decided on
that course. He has it under consideration. We
have no idea what sort Of bonds will be exacted-
whether for appearance merely hereafter to answer
If any evidence should be yet gathered, to keep
the peace towards Span in particular aud all foreign
nations in general; or not to go out Of the United
States with any revolutionary thoughts, or stay in
it with any expressed purpose Of giving active AID
to any movement Of independence which may ever
There is some speculation aHoat as to what will
be the shape and legal obligation of these Cuban
bonds" IL they should ever be issued At all events
it given up in that COURT the District Attorney and
Grand Jury have not been able to discover the
Of any X or OF
laid down with such excessive rigor by Judge
Campbell.
It would have been a great surprise in New Or
of military organization or any preparations for
Q military expedition, to be sent from this city
or its vicinity, to invade the island of Cuba. To
be sure, we have read in distant papers startling
reports of what has been going on here, and cir
cumstantial descriptions Of the presence and
looks of formidable flibuster gathering in our
streets, and camping in our neighborho0d for q
raid" upon Cuba. But these were well known
here to be the maginations of alarmists, or
the inventions Of the malicious. Nothing of
the sort has been seen by eyes accustomed
to New Orleans. II there has been an enlist
ment or engagement of men for any such pur-
kept 50 profoundly secret, aud the men have been
so closely imnured within walls, or hidden in
swamps, that the most jealous Cuban berationst in
feeling-and there are multitudes Of them about
has never been able to guess where they are This
would be high praise for the discretion of the man.
ayers of such scheme, if there were one; but in
fact as we are confident there are neither managers
or scheme, arms, officers, nor men, gathered or
invited to New Orleans for an invasion of Cuba.
Such things could not be without some popular
knowledge, some prevalent rumor and belief, some
external signs not to be mistaken, although, per-
haps, not susceptible Of exact analysis or legal GER
tainty; but no resident Of New Orleans, within our
range of acquaintance, has Fever met with such in
dications. The discovery of any such expedition
would be hardly less unexpected than the sound of
Spanish guns at Slaughter House Point. The Grand
Jury might have summoned all New Orleans, and
without reserve or fear of determination, that
would have been total ignoring Of the beginning,
or setting on foot, or procuring, or preparing the
means for any military expedition or enterprise"
to be carried on from the United States against
Spain.
great many things, however, the Grand Jury
might have ELECTED, If the rnlng Of the c0nrt had
not made them, by implication, constructive
peditOn possible Change irs IN
Cuba. They might have discovered very general
and very earnest desire for the liberation Of Cuba
from the dominion of Spain, full and firm belief
that it is not only right in itself Tor the people Of
the United States; very thorough conviction the
American government and people should no longer
tolerate the hostile policy towards Ms with which
the affairs Of that island are systematically admins
they might have found very strong belief that
the domestic expressions will not longer be endured
by the inhabitants; and q very general determine
ton, when the banner of independence is hopefully
crisis as its prospects and deep significance to our
interests may require, and the law applicable to
such circumstances may justify. They might
have found, too, If rumors not altogether decep
ments, preparatory collection of means, or at least
suggestions of the most effective way of raising
means, to be applied in some way hereafter, which
events may determine to assist the independence Of
Cuba. That such means may be employed Illegally,
Is possible That they may ut out and set on foot
military expedition, in violation of the neutrality
act of 1918, to be carried against the domfnions
Of Spain, is not to be dsputed and the liability of
those who 80 use them to the penalties of the statute
is equally clear. It makes case for the vigilance
of the government, points its suspicious, and very
properly stimulates its officers to watch and arrest
the first overt act in violation Of the statute. But
neither possibility, probability NOR intent make
crime against statute. If the Grand Jury had
found the rumors true that fund is collected for
the general purpose of assisting Cuban independ-
ence, IL would not follow that it ia necessarily to
be expended In violation Of law, or that 1t may
mott ss sPsS u that ms wG not s be
until the public relations Of the country will make it
proper to employ it in ways which are now illegal.
When any portion IL expended In violation OF the
for ali the penalties. This. With ddent reliance
upon any special knowledge Of the decisions OF
courts and the force of statutes take to be the
Interpretation OF equity and common sense, which
all the requirements Of legal science are intended
But the Grand Jury, as it appears, did not get
at the facts Of this degree Of preparation, if
such there be, and as the questions propounded to
the witnesses indicate that the government sG u.s.
definition Of the degrees Of crminality so widely,
had the effect Of shutting out all the Testimony
which 1t desired upon this point. Everybody who
could possibly have knovedgel sufficient for the
the collection of means in New Orleans for some fu-
ture purpose connected with Cuba, incurred such q
degree Of crimnality as made 1t unsafe to testify.
Il Is likely, therefore, that no criminal proceedings
will be had for that offence. .
This, we think in one important view, is to be
regretted We think it ought be settled If it is not
already at least so settled that there will be FL.
ture doubt on the minds Of the grand jurors and
hat ban n .inan nJa fhn
act of the United States, and particularly whether
the raising of money is misaemeanor on the pre-.
sumption Of ita being intended for an unlawful
purpose, with including the fact Of ts expenditure
Tor any unia wful obect-
We are well enough known to be no filibusters,
and do disapprove Of any armed expeditions for the