The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-06-10
Cuba and Fillibusterinp.

the proclnimer to execute it.
Obedience to the proper constituted authori-
ties is most obviously duty incumbent upon
every citizen. A departure from such course
is fraught with dangcr-not merely individual,
but national-to much fuller degree than ma
nysccm to suppose. In the present instance
anH forcible seizure Of the island of Cuba
by Unauthorized forces, would be violation of
existing treaties between our Government and
that of Spain, to whom the island now lawful
ly belongs and of course total disregard Of
our own laws. No matter how we may desire
the acquisition of such fertile territory, our
to plaoe-it yet under our control is no justifca-
ton whatever for rude and violent seizure Of
it. II manifest destiny seems so unequivocal-
yto point to it rs part of our future heritage,
why not restrain our impatcnce little longer,
and allow manifest destiny" to finish the work
she has bcgant She may, and most probably
will, fix the thing more pcaceably, honorably
and permanently.
We have not SO acquainted ourselves with
the history of Cuba Us to form any very def
mite opinion whether or not it would really bc
an acquisition to our interests were we to seize
upon it, or obtain it in any other way. But
this s not the question. The management of
governmental affairs has been entrusted by us,
as the sovereign people of this Republic, to the
officers of Government, with the full under.
standing on our part that we are to acquicscc
in all that is done by them, at least until the
Legitimate process Of appeal. which is the bal
lo4box, can be applied. If Congress, or any
O<her branch of the Government fails to dis
charge the trusts imposed to the satisfaction of
time comes when the peaceful and honorable
remedy can be applied. 1t is explicitly dele,
gated to the Government to negotiate and pre-.
serve treaties declare war; and 80 OIL. With
sfu'ii"rr" ',nrre tnn:taz,uaf 's4ace. and no law
this Union, much less band Of unauthorized
adventures, in wrestling any portion of her
territory, whilst that treaty is preserved invio.
late on her part Let the two Governments
decide whether We shall be friends or enemies
If the latter, let us wait till the proper rulers
shall call us to the work. Then, not till then,
will it be honorable, safe or just to attempt by
physical force the revolution of Cuba.
The restless spirit of adventure that is abroad
IN our country is pregnant with mischief An
individual now and then, leaving his own qui-
ct home, and it may be helpless babes and sor.
rowing wife, goes forth into the wide world.
A few years elapse, and behold he is back
again. He has been very unfortunate-r in.
70 the hands of Government that used him
most shockingly bad Well, he has only to 90
and tell "Uncle Sam" all about it, and ask that
that venerable parsonage demand indemnity
Tor the ill-treatment of his nephew, and straight
way muss is kicked up between two nations
on account OF one wandering citizen who left
his own Peacefal:and prosperous shores for the
only purpose of seeing how the world would
use him And who knows whether indeed he
ever did fall into the hands of such or such n
tyrantf or whether lie did not by some act on
his part justify the accused in handling him
rather roughlyf He may produce quite an or.
ray OF documents. But do they, can they, sat-
isfy perfectly that this man did receive all this
horrid treatments or if he did, that it was
wholly unjustifed by any misdemeanor on his
part' See how difficult it is to establish points
Of dispute whose Whole origin and every. con.
nection are in our very midst. A man ia A..
ra'gned for murder, and put on trial. One
lawyer prosecutes, and another defends. Wit
nesses testify; but no two can tell exactly the
same tale. But the jury manage to make nut
a verdict and the case is settled. But doe. t,,ot
even, establish the guilt or innocence Of fbe
accused to the satisfaction of the public mind
By no means. Then who shall decide, r. ia
just so IN matters of which we have spoken.
100 much cautious investigation on the part Of
the Government, before endorsing the claims
OK any one to indemnifcation for alIedoed
grievances, cannot be instituted. It ia dan.
gerous thing for the Government of the United
states, or Of any country, to undertake tn
straighten the affairs of every rambler WIN
chooses 70 risk his bones amongst barbarians
1t Is in this aspect that we regard the move.
inent IN reference to Cuba. Should an expedi-
tlon proceed thither and attempt or accomnlish
the revolution of that island, Spain wonid ba
most sure to hold our Govsernment resnon.;ble
and'a war, very likely. would result We
should then witness the spectscle Of 4 pov;aerfn,
Government drawn from III 2b;ob 80 "a
driven into bloody toonaict .bys,s handful Of
lawiesas marauders. True, We should NOT fear
spain, or any other power, In an hono,able
combat; but We should sktqs6 10, tbashonor
Of the Republic, were she sosaIlow 49, ~
neishbor to be4ebbsa Sf hsr piopemrtt p m "A tban
protect the robbess & Lsts ais be rems1rhsrs5
then that any 5saysss his hons snd
goes to Cuba Aek any saeli iswsIoss de,icn for
feits bis claim ID c;teotion Ians .,,.i ~
not mdrmur II his a65s s,, ou o.