Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-08
raEEBooTING ETHICS.

FREEB0OTING ETHICS.
The annexed extracts, taken from an article in the
leading Democratic journal of New Orleans, are
in open and formal defence of the invasion Of Cuba
by private and unauthorized adventurers, raised
and organized within the limits of the United
States The reasoning of the writer is as weak as
his princpesare reprehensible. lit is very hard in
deed that treaties or any other laws should have any
control over individual action, when individual ac
ton is goriously employed in seizng by force and
arms the rich plantations Of neighboring and
friendly Power That Executive proclamatons and
Judicial denunciations should be offensive to such
dsinterested patriotism, or that the judgments Of
the Chief Justice should be thought too fine spun"
for such philanthropic ethics, we are not surprised
at but to see a comparison instituted between
Lafayette and Lopez is too heavy draft on
ones patience.
FROM LOUISIANA COURIER.
In another column will be found thccharge Of Justice
Campbell to the Grand Jury empannelled to inquire
whether any yioatve Of the provisions Of the
trality laws had been committed in this District.
That the management of the foreign relations of the
American Union has been cenfded to the Federal Execu
tive, and that all treaties entered into by it, with the
concurrence Of the Senate, with foreign States and
within the limits Of the powers conferred upon it by
the Constitution obligatory upon the citizens Of the
country, propositions which will not be disputed !;
but whether treaties have the controlling effect ind-
pual action ascribed to them by the opinion Of the Su
preme Court Of the United States is proposition to
which may well differ. For ourselves consider
the doctrine enuncated by Chief Justice Taney in the
Of Kenneth and others Chambe, IA Towards Reports,
rather too finely spun, and of somewhat transcen-
dental nature.
With the positions of Judge Campbell, defining what
constitutes the offence under the act of 1875 in orga
nizng, setting on foot, &C. military expedition or en-
terprse against Power or its dominions with which
country is at peace, not disposed to cayl
In the MAN. his language is justified by the words of the
statute. But cannot view it other than stretch
Of judicial Interpretation to say that those who by ad
dresses essays ncte persons to join any expedition
often among the most guilty and to be regarded
as aiders and abetofs. This doctrine, in humble
opinion would tend to restriction of thought and speech
wholly inconsistent with theory Of Government and il
every who moved by sympathy with the oppressed
or inbred love Of freedom speaks in favor of the
emancipation Of the the extension of the other
and at the time appauds the conduct Of Lafayette
Koscusko Pulaski, and Steuben toward forefathers
in their struggle for independence is to be considered
On alder and abetor Of violation Of neutray, rather
think that prisons would not hold the offenders after
convictions and that many Of them would be missed from
the halls Of Congress and of many State Legislatures
Happily for the of freedom and humanity, the
people Of the Mississippi valley have not yet got so far
advanced in civilization, refined in political morals,
to consider the examples of Lafayette and Kos
cusko unworthy Of the admiration and imitation Of Anne
rican youth and should the poor downtrodden Cubans
once make effort to throw off the yoke of their oppres
sors, they will see their ranks swollen by strong
and brave hearts, which first moved and hrobbed on
the banks of the Mississippi and whose movements r0 not
be c6ed By Executive proelamaoas guided By Judicial
Interpretations The attempt do will be successful
to keep tho mighty flood within its banks by evees
of straw.