The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-03-24
FILIBUSTERS.
FATE OF ANiERICANS WHO
SOUGHT TO FREE CUBA.
Incident of the "RlaclS Warrior,,-
The "Nirginius'' I rasedy nud thc
Lessons IL Tamcht-Butch-
cred by Spaniards.
HnE organization of bodies Of

mas always done, but at the same time
those about to engage in such ven
lures would DO well TO look at the
late OF former expeditions, especially
IN view of the fact that with the cor.
don OF armed vessels which Spain hu.
thrown around tho island, capture is
iar more certain than ever before.
once prisoner to the Spaniard tn
story Is soon ended.
The seizure of the American vesse.
Black Warrior in 1851 in the harbnr
OF Havana, caused strong feeling IN
all parts OF the United States. Great
sympathy was felt for the strug linz
patriots and 1T found expression IN
public meetings, subscriptions of
money for the purchase of arms ami
other needed supplies of war.
Parties were organized III many q.
the cities, especially in the South, to
so over to the island AMI take AN a..
tive part IN the struggle Resolutions
were introduced III Congress LOOKING
to suspension of the neutrality laws
between this country and Spain. This
was not done, however, rs the effect
would have been TO give tucit encour-
agement TO private parties to engage
IN deprejatlons upon the island.
President Pierce took n mildcrcour.e
and sent Instructions to the American
Minister mt Madrid to demand indem
NIFTY for the seizure OF the vessel.
rms was accorded and the affair was
brought to an Gmicablc conclusion.
But while the Government was dis
posed to effect Il peaceable settlement
oil the matter good part OF the PEG.
pie were not, AMI expeditions were
organized in various cities, which
called forth n proclamation from the
President, which eliec.ullly put stop
to such movements. There was n
strong feeling, however, that the
Cuban question would be one OF con.
tlnual trouble until settled bv annex.
alton, by diplomatic conference if
possible, by force If peaceabIe nego.
tiations fnied.
President Pierce instructed the sew
eral American Ministers or euvovs nj
London, Paris and Madrid to confer
together and report on the most feas-
lole plan OF getting possession Of
Cuba. These gentlemen met and, al
ter dellberatlou, ldresse q letter 10
the President, setting forth their
views, which were, in substance. that
the United States should acquire Cuba
by purchase ii possible, and if MOI
possible that she was justified BY every
law, human ana divine, in taking it
by force OF arms from under Spanish
rule
This proposal met with storm Of
indignation al ever Europe AMI in
most of the Northern Statcs. but in
the South and II good part OF the West
1T was largely approved. Mr. Pierce,
though In sympathy with the project,
did not recommend it, md the idea
was laid on the table, as it were, and
through orr own war from 1851 tn
1860 and the troubles that followed
turned the attention OF our people to
matters more nearly concerning them
selves
The old sentiment of sympathy Tor
the Cuban patriots, ana desire to see
them free and under the protection o {
the Stars and Stripes again kindlcd
with the outbreak of 1853, mud those
/ feeling were openly expressed and in
| public meetings. Strong efforts wcrs
made TO bGve the Government recon-
ME the independence OF the island,
but President Grant veut No further
than 10 try to effect en anlcallc ay-
ranSemcnt by which Spain would re-
linquish her claims 10 Cuon. Sppip
emphaticoliy Geciiucd to sell, ns she
had done III 1873, and a. fur rs tie
United States Government Sras con
cerned the mpttcr was droprcJ. No.
so, however, with inGiviUuntg.
The tlibu-tcrlug OF former wear.
again became the popular rage-mauy
OF the eX-soluiers Of both armies form
ing themselves into parties TO Gree
Cuba. Several OF these expeditions
were broken up by the United States
authorities, which under tho orders q.
the President took prompt au v.g1r.
Gus action, Gui there was % Qu!efigg
down OF public feeling and Interest," in
the affairs Of Cuba until October.
1873, wien il again burst forth like p
flash, caused uy tho seizure OF Cine
American steamer NIrsin.us, and the
summary execution oi the greater
| part of those ON board % her
The NIr-iuiue was Cited ont Iv 20
| Juuta of Cuban patriots iu New York
| 10 convey men and arUs to- ,hc island
insurgents. Several cnIao.s has been
sent over before, brit this expedition
was doomed TO HjIur.. Tho Steamer
went from New York TO Nassau. ng.i
| from Tint port cleared for Port lausn.
Costa l;lcn, with more t.tl one uun
| dred men besides tho cs.v ON Io.rI.
/ Tho real destination. vn-. of course.
Cuba. Calling on Port uu Prince for
arms and ammunition that hnd boon
sent there 10y another ci, She pro-
ceeded ON her way, uujon nearing che
| island was seen amt overbuule5 ON
October 23d by tine Spanish puu5oat
Tornado, and carried to Sa1tiago de
Cuba, though Sine was flying tine Stars
and Stripes.
Her Captain, Try, nm cx.FcIora,
and Confederate officer, protested in
in vain. Be was refused c1mmnDiea.
ton with his Consul and thrown into
prison with Eis whole complement OF
men and passengers. Among the latter
OF whom we're 'the patriot leaders, Del
Sol, Ryan, CeVodcs aud Yarona. who