The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-03-20

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TO their unconquerable ardor; that large
army might either create that jealousy
which all people are prone TO feel towards
foreigners, even when acting rs allies, or
might induce an entire dependence upon a
force which they regarded as sufficient 10
accomplish the object without their aid;
that people, TO appreciate their indepen-
dence, must achieve it themselves. These
are precisely the arguments which encour-
aged and emboldened the companions of
Narcisco Lopez in his expedition to Cuba,
in 1851.
France was then (in l70s) crippled in
power and means, with tho old world ar
rayed in arms against her, and constantly
threatened with internal revolution, changes,
and discord. About this time, too, the Di
rectory. composed, rs it then was Of more
philosophic and conservative class of repub-
licans than had welded the destinies Of
the nation for somc years before, began 10
adopt more pacific and prudent policy.
Still, it could not hazard its popularity by
discouraging, even ifit did not afford ma
terial aid, to the enterprise of liberatng
oppressed Ireland" Officers and soldiers Of
the army were, therefore, allowed to volun.
teer for the expedition, and aims and mu-
,ions were furnished TO them. At this mo.
ment, Humbert stepped forward to volun-
teer to lead this fo,lorn hope. He had
served with distinction on the Rhine, under
! Pichegru, Moreau, and Dumourer, and was
an officer Of acknowledged courage and en-
ergy. Repairing TO Rochelle, lie immediate.
ly set to work, in conjunction with the
liish patriots, Tone, Teeiing, and Sullivan.
to organize an army out of Il heterogeneous
mass Of a1ventnrers, who had assembled
there, composed Of struggling French sol,
diers, Irish volunteers, British dcsertcrs,
and "a few Garnet enthusiasts in the cause
OF universal freedom and republicanism
10 obtain money and supplies for the eX-
/ pediton, llumbcit WAS driven 10 the eXpc.
dent OF "a military requisi,ion OH the mcr.
chants Of Rochelle, who were glad enough
to pay an illegal tax TO be rid of SO discor-
dant and adventurous rec. After n
thousand annoyances, difficulties. and lrou-
hles, being compelled 10 shoot several Of
his men to enforce discipline, HumLcrt
succeeded in sailing out of the port Of Ro-
cilc!Ic will, his motley band of iibera,ors
! The lilsh iiiumviratc, as they were callel
| Tone, feeling, and Sullivan n ,compa.
MED him. They We're in the highest spir.
| lis, and almost certain of victory and sue
cess. They were assured that the people
at Iceland were ripe Cor revolution, which
was to rid the green Isle Of the Saxon. 50
confident were they of hi, result, that the
future government Of the island the whole
| organization OF its civil administration, had
been discussed and carefully digc>tcd and
! prepared. They looked even beyond this.
! When they had gained their independence.
and eX.ortcd security for the future. they
! would next demand indemnity for the past.
/ They would require the West India islands
rs compensation for the woe and poverty
which English m,rule had brought on the
! island. llumbert WAS impu,si,e e, cnthu>i.
asiic, and crcdulous. lie could no, doubt
such earnest assurance of his Irish comfcle.
rates. lie hated England with intense
earncstncss. Treachery, falsehood, pride,
avarice, graSping cuvetouSncSs, and reckless
brutality, were the characteristics he assign
ed TO the English. Despite these feelings,
however, doubt would frequently cloud the
bright prospects of the expedition, so glow.
ingiy dtinted by the voluble an emthusias.
Tie lri,!;. His impressions of the character
OF his allies were not elevated by an obser-
vaton OF the conduct of those engaged in
the expedition. Still, he was embarked in
The enterprise, and determined to prosecute
1t with courage and energy.
Humbcrt effected landing at kIllala, on
the southern coast of Ireland, in August,
l79S. His force consisted of less than Il
thousand men, including a battalion OF
good French soldiers well oflicered At
kii!ala, he arrested the Protestant bishop,
and detained him rs u prisoner, treating
him with a respect and courtesy which did
not please the excited and wild mob of
peasants that soon began 20 pour into the
town, greatly perpleXing and embarrassing
his arrangements, rather than adding to
his strength and resources. Ignorant Of
Their language, their peculiarties and Gus
toms, liumbcrt was almost driven mad by
the turbulent and unruy character of his
conederaIes-tho oppressed race which he
had come 10 liberatc. They set at defiance
all military subordna;ion and discipline,
and even ridiculed the stiff carriage and
neat appearance of the French regulars.
When the officers assumed any control
over them, they rolled their ewes, pouted
their lips, aud cracked many n Joke mt the
impudence Of the "interloping foreigners" -"
a last, however, having by dint of SUI
perhuman efforts reduced his command to
something like order, llumbert commenced
his march into the country. His battalion
of regulars advanced in military order, but
it WAS flanked, and followed, and surround.
ed BY the diSorlery host Of Withholding,
ragged peasants, with their long uncombed
! hair hanging down their nccks and sboul
ders, barefootcd, with signs of starvation,
Of poverty, misery, and oppression in their
countenance, carriage, and habiliments.
And yet, they were fall Of enthusiasm and
patriotism, and marched gayly along,
swearing, hurraing, singing in the exuoer-
ance of their JOY and hopo Of the rescue Of