Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-29
The Cubau TIllibusters.

| The Cuban Fllibnsters.
Recent indications lead to the belief that thes
restless patriots are still busiy engaged i'm making tn
necessary arrangements for an attack upon Cuba. Tn
Presidents proclamation, instead of lettering, seem
have had the effect of stimulating them to rcncwe
exerons if We are to judge by the rumors that con
stantly reach us concerning them and by the fac
that the Courts of New Orleans appear to apprehcn
the setting of expedition, at no distant day
unless it be repressed by the strong arm of the Jaw
We learn from the New Orleans papers that when
on Monday Of last week, the grand ju " was empan-
nelled before the United States Circuit Court Of tina
district, Judge Campbell delivered an able and inter
csng charge, in which Fillibustcrism was pretty Sc
vcrcly handled
| The Bulletin says that after infinitely defining tn,
duties of grand jurors of the United States parcu-
lary in protecting the public character against the
disgrace which follow inractions of its treaty stipu-
latons and the neglect of its pghted faith entered
into with other nations the Judge proceeded to state
that although he had positive information that q
hostile expedition was fitting out against friendly
power, still enough was known 10 make it the duty
Of the grand jury part of the Court to institute
inquiries and if they ascertaned any citizen or citi-
zens to be engaged in snch enterprises to present
them fully and fearlessly. The jury. he said, was
bound to notice and repress not only unlawful militia
~ enterprises but acts which stimulate and prepare
them. From the published report of the Judges
charge, take the following extract, which every
body with the slightest Fibustering proclivities
ought carefully to read, and be admonished in time
mo take commission to serve any foreign
prince or person against friendly State, he en-
list within the United States, 60 beyond the United
States Tor the purpose OF ensng in such service II is
criminal to begin within the United States the fitting out
of any expedition to be carried from thence or TO
furnish procure the Of fitting such al expe-
don An organization OF armed men, a levy or en-
listmen OF within the United States be armed
elsewhere out OF the United Etaes is military e1pedi-
ton 1t is not necessary in order to constitute them
such that they should land armed in any other place out
OF the United States. II they 60 armed else
whese IL is military expedition within the meaning OF
the statute The levying of men with intent
init violence against friendly power makes military
petition Squads or companies OF men, having a des,
nation for Cuba wrsst it from Ssu With or without
| arms, are a military expedition No hamsu ingenuity
eau coptve to take men from the United States for
vice against Spain Cuba without nfraction of the
law. military expedition requires pre- arrangements
and all preliminary acts which designed promote
such organjZatOn in the of setting on foot
military expedition, and the Judge denounced the
elements with strong ephets. Ii say tha,
any contribution Of money made with view OF purcha
sing arm uniforms equipments provisions for such an
enterprise 10 violation Of law, that che issuing bonds
in aid OF such services in violation Of law, and all
cerned in it criminal. The holding Of meetings e
such plans Il IN violation OF the they
who at such meetings make speeches iuaamA the pas
sions OF young and draw them into such enter
prises, ere most guilty.
The Judge eaid that the procuring of was the sub
stance aud end OK eli these means and without there
could be expedition. The crime is in setting on foo
au expedition; the collecting OF money and the stmuat
ing OF persons 10 give money aren The nature OF provi
ding means and holng out Inducements TO Eieu and
within the meaning Of the law. The law to reach
the Ve!Y foundation Of the enterprse-its first begin
nings and all Eho contribute guilty II the procuring
a of means is here, the asipie is here"
1t is evident from these instructions that il tn,
laws were to be strictly enforced. it would reach
great many enterprisng patriots, whose daily Gvoea-
ton it is to encourage the Fllibusters in their pratt
cal projects. We know many Democratic editor.
3 and mbers OF Congress, who would be utterly un
able to escape inasmuch as they have written ant
spoken great deal, in relation to the desrableness
of acquiring Cuba, which had the tendency, if moi
always so intended to intiame the passions Of the
young men of the country, and urge them to = yio-
ation OF laws and treaty slipuations in order tc
obtain the prize which is eagerly coveted They
are guilty, therefore, in the meaning of the law, a,
defined by Judge Campbell, and deserve rs sever,
o punishment as those who may be led by thei. sug
gestions and appeals to engage in a regular Fibus
(. tering expedition.
1t is TO be hoped that this charge Of Judge Camp
i bill will have more effect than the proclamation O
the President in lettering our people from participa
tingin any unlawful attempts upon Cuba 1t ha
already, indeed, been followed by prompt and deci
de action the part Of the Grand Jury in New Or
cans, who have ordered Quitman, Thrasher, Hender
.)n and others TO lie summoned before them; and
10 not unlikely that the zeal Of these gentlemen f6
Cuba may be considerably cooled DOM, when ther
thus find that there is a serious determination To en-
= force the law agans, them. We should rejoice, 70
the sake of the &, Cd name and honor Of the coun
try, if an example could be made Of some of tbos
turbulent busy bodies about New Orleans, who, in
stead of performing the part Of good and orderly c
II zens are eternaly intriguing to get up an expedition
e against the possessions OF friendly poyer. TIN
penalties prescribed for breaking the neutrality nc
of 1918 would seem to be enough to teach persona
discretion, if not patriotism These penalties ar
fines and imprisonment running from $4,000 fine
and two years imprisonment to $4,000 fine and ,er
years imprisonment, according to the grade and de-
scripton Of offence. The New Orleans bulletin wei
n remarks, that if men caught participating in thes
Filbuster projects, they will have about nc had
chance here as they would if they had got over h
Cuba, md became Of the vanquished, instead NJ IN
victorious party. 1t is better, then, for them to loo
before they leap, or they may have TO repent Of bei
i. folly under heavy fines, and long and painful i'm
prisonment