CUBA AND THE CUBANS -
We copy from the N. Y. Tribune the fol
lowing re vie w, btaaRev. Dr. GrisWoUI
Tb.e book reviewed ii by Mr. Kimball, the
author of St Leger.3. .-, . ? - ;
Cuba and the Cuban : Comprising a History
, of ihe ItLmd of Cub, it present domestic,
Social, and Political Condition, and tt
Relations to England and th United States.
Bit!uauihDT.of"UnntfroTiba"'-
With an Appendix containing Important
i Statistics, and a reply to Senor Saca on
Annexation: Transuded from the Span
. - isJL I voL lmo.pp. 255. Jfero York:
tSmnmel Hueston and G. P. Potman : 1850.
Tfrirf day the subject of Cuba attracts
jnore and more attention. The public evinced
18 Integrity of its moral sense, as well as its
sagacity; indeed, in heartily supporting the
prompt and vigorous proceeding by which
the government crushed the aggressive and
ill-considered projects lately on foot for the
dismemberment of the island from Spain ;
but men have been led to think of the con-
dition.and fate of Cuba her grievances, her
independance, and her annexation. ' We are
slow people in some respects : cautious.
particularly in such momentous movements
as involve great individual or general gains
or losses, and sothinkine leads to scrutinies
and care fullest' reconsiderations before ac-
tioas; and upoa this question of Cuba, the
first impulse beine passed, with maps and
statistics and other facts before it, the com
mftnity is forming its solid and irreversible
iudfemenL The writer of the book before
us, tnoroughly in formed, .dispassionate, and
judicial in his fairness, submits the issues
involved to the common understanding; not
bT arguments, but by simple exhibition.
He takes no side; he is no partisan; be is
only a witness ; and it is in all adjudications
the- witness more than the advocate mat in
daces and controls decisions.
In the first and second chapters the author
gives a brief but comprehensive ; historical
sketch of Cuba, from its discovery to the ap
pointment of the present captain-general; and
from this recital of unquestioned facts alone,
it is sufficientlv apparent that she may be re
garded as a child to be taken from an igno
rant and brutal parent and placed under ac
ceptable and suitable , guardianship. The
third chapter is chiefly occupied with the ge
ography, topography, and natural resources
of the island. The fourth and fifth are upon
its society and manners, and they disclose
habits and customs and a state of morals that
will pain as much as they will Interest the
reader. Closely related to these subjects is
thai of the sixth chapter, which is upon the
religious condition of the priesthood and the
people, of which we shall observe only that
that is. apparently altogether authentic and
impartial, and that it reveals a condition of
profligate degradation scarcely to be parallel
ed, at this time, in any other part of the world.
The author is explicit and particular, giving
freely names and dates with circumstances,
and challenging, ' and suggesting processes,
for their examination. Describing, with the
feeling of a Christian, profoundly imbued
with a religious spirit, the all-pervading and
all-demoralizing infidelity, and tracing it to
the administration of affairs rather than to the
creed which is established by authority, he
offers the following notorious facts, in illus
tration and confirmation of his more general
statements:
i Tbe. country curates may, in general, as a
class, be sgt down as an example of all that
is corrupt in immorality, all that is disgus
ting in low and brutal vice. Of the number
there is one Don Felix del Fino too noto
rious, too illiterate, and twoshameless, to care
for even this publication of his name, whose
career presents so shocking and frightful an
example of vice that I will raenticn a few of
its characteristic traits a a proof of what is
possible in the Island of C iba at the present
day. . This man, who is the curate of an in
terior town, is in 'be habit of exacting $200
for an insignificant pretended attempt at the
great ceremonies of a funeral. On one oc
casion, at a meeting of his low associates, he
announced that he was preparing for a plea
sure trip to Havana, and in reply to their in
quiries as to the peculiar means on which he
relied for that object, be simply answered,
that a certain respectable old woman, whom
he named, was on the eve of death, and that
her funeral expenses would supply him the
means. Having afterward ascertained that
she was unexpectedly improving, be vowed
that she should die, and hastened to her bed-
aide, where, prostituting the rights of his sa
cred ministry, be labored to dissuade her
from any hopes of recovery, and harassed her
mind with such agonizing and terrible pic
tures, in such a tone, and with such evidently
evil design, that the friends of the poor des
pairing suliererlelt compelled to interfere, and
racue ber from bis guilty bands. On anoth
ex occasion he informed a couple who wish
ed to marry, but whose family relation of
consanguinity required a dispensation from
Some, that he could obtain the grant for that
purpose at Havana. . He therefore went to
that city, and shortly afterward returned with
the full licence, as he pretended, to perform
the marriage , to which, however, he insisted
on naming the attesting witnesses, or the
Jtodfmther and godmother, of the ceremony
He accordingly married the parties, and re
ceived $600 as his reward. - When the cou
ple, at a later day, discovered that no snch
authority" could be procured at Havana, and
that they Had been made tbe victims of
f Mil deception, they called on him, 'and were
net witn a coot denial ot nis bavtng bad any
thine to do in the matter; in support of
wiucb he exhibited his books, where he had
carefully omitted to set down the case. He
was, however, arrested for a time, in conse
quedce, but no more serious penalty ever en-
. 1 !? . M . t L 1
sueav xus irsi aci was one wuico, inaeea
can hardly be credited,' tnougn its truth is
beyond question. In a letter coarsely writ
ten, in the most obscene and revolting lan
gua?e. to hi brother in Havana, beexpatiat-
er on. the violation of a young white female,
for whom be bad paid to her own father, and
lay that on the occasion ot bis first possession
of he r he had ordered the bells of his church
to be rung I The signature of the letter he
acknowledged to be his ; and the young girl
only thirteen years of age, was found at his
bouse; and me tram 01 toe case so luily pro
ved by bey testimony, and other corrobora
ting evidences, as to cause the imprisonment
of the father, and the suspension of the priest
from the office so foully scandalized. Of
course, it must not be understood that there
are many priests in Cuba who have reached
Mich a depth of corruption as is exhibited by
this revolting and hideous instance ; but the
general degradation of thef clergy - and the
4 ehtrrrh and the deep demoralization of the
; country where such a monster i not at once
- viatic tt uaMtfuai punuhmcni, . must be sad
indeed-" This wretch may, 00 the contrary,
Tie en eren now;' though suspended fkaaeyer'lir rapidly as since we displayed the
hi'pvHh cui,.attendinjla his clerical rohei -condifioni of- liberty, and its voluntary aid
on the public ceremonies of the church at
Havana t ?-Mf :", ..'.? '.--'- - i
Hardly less painful than this picture is that
offered in the seventh chapter, in which the
author treats of public education, and the
frauds and abuses by which it is retarded, per
verted, or prevented. ' But the most careful
ly prepared, important, and significant port
tion of the book is the eighth chapter, which
is upon the special grievances of the Cubans,
and most particularly those connected with
taxation. ' The elaborate analysis of Cuban
taxes is believed to be the first of the kind
ever attempted, and its results would defy
belief were not their truth demonstrated in
the clearest manner. From twenty-five to
thirty millions of dollars, it appears, are an
nually collected, while but from ten to twelve
millions reach the home treasury. This as
tonishing fact illustrating the profligacy of
officials, and suggesting the influences which
have caused the attack upon this book by the
Spanish residents here is exhibited in the
most unquestionable shape, in a table of ab
stracts of official returns, prepared with im
mense labor, and of itself constituting a more
valuable document upon the political and so
cial condition of Cuba than has ever oeiore
appeared in English. Tbe different sources
of revenue are thus stated :
Alcabala, (or 6 per cent on sales or real
estate of slaves, on auction sales., on sales in
shops,) bulls of the Pope; brokers' tax; cat
tie tax : shopkeepers tax ; tax on mortgages;
tax on donations ; tax on cockfighting; tax
on grants of crosses, or uses of uniform, etc ;
tax on promissory notes, or bills of exchange ;
tax on the municipal taxes ; yearly tribute
of the counts, marquises, and other Mies ;
tax on all deaths of non-insolvent persons ;
tax on investments in favor of the clergy,
sale of tbe public offices, sealed paier, pen
alties in favor of the royal household ; .tax
on the property of the Jesuits, sales of pub
lie lands ; tax on establishment of auction
eers ; tax (4 per cent.) on law expenses ;
water canal tax, royal order of Charles III.,
&c To this roust of course be added the
custom-house duties on imports and exports,
and tunnage on vessels.
We cannot proceed into the details of this
subject We refer, upon all the points of
which we have written, to the volume itself,
in which there is the utmost condensation
compatible with perspicuity.
In the ninth and concluding chapter the
author discusses tbe great question. What is
to become of Cuba ? contends that it cannot
remain under the Spanish dominion, and that
it has a right of revolution.
It is a sound proposition to put to the civ
ilized world, (he observes,) that no nation
shall, at this period, oppress by any arbitrary
or tyrannical despotism, a dependent country
or colony. Although the means of redress
may not always be at band, no one now dis
putes the right of the oppressed to seek for
and to use them.
If a true statement has been given of the
situation of Cuba affairs, Cuba has a right to
attempt her freedom. Taking what has been
said for truth, a case is made out which shall
ustifv Cuba, by the unanimous voice f man
kind, for tbe act of revolution. In the strug
gle she will be entitled to the sympathy of
all Christendom. How far nations should
adhere to tbe doctrine of neutrality remains,
as yet, unsettled. A deviation from it is a
dangerous departure ; for, although there is
not one rule of morality for a nation, and an
other for an individual ; and although, as
ndividuals, tbe whole world should sym
pathize with, if not assist in, the effort oi an
oppressed people, struggling, with despo
tism, still, in such an instance, a nation
cannot be held to the same rule. The rea
son is plain enough. If one man beholds
another inflicting blows and wounds upon a
weaker and unresisting fellow-creature, he
does not hesitate to interfere in his behalf,
without stopping to inquire whether or not
he may be committing a technical assault.
But a nation cannot interfere in the same
way. The individual who comes forward to
protect his fellow is amenable to the law of
the land in which he lives, and he must an
swer to it if he has done a wrong. But a na
tion is amenable to no constituted earthly
authority. How far is this forbearance to be
carried ? Is there any limit to it ? It is cer
tain that the government of the United States
did not hesitate to sympathize with the Greeks
in their struggle for liberty, and were only
prevented by a con-titutionai objection from
granting them substantial national aid. To
preserve a settled stute of things, the United
States, as has been shown, promptly interfer
ed to prevent the invasion of Cuba by Mex
ico and Columbia, flow far the same gov
ernment ought now to interfere, again to pre
serve things from change, or bow lar it ought
to forward tbe change, it is not necessary to
discuss here.
Spain is too weak much longer to hold her
Cuban posse -sions. It needs but to strike
the blow, and independence is achieved to
the island. In this instance the first is em
phatically half the journey, and that step will
not long be delayed.
Cuba has the power, as well as the will
and wisdom, to be free. She cannot be kept
a 1 a a. a
lorever in bonds, endowed as she is with a
population of 1,200,000; with a revenue of
$20,000,000;' with the intercourse and light
attending $60,000,000 of outward and in
ward trade ; with a territory equal to that of
the larger states ; with a soil teeming with
the choicest productions ; with forests of the
most precious woods ; with magnificent and
commanding harbors; with an unmatched
position as the warder of the Mexican Gulf,
and the guardian of the communication with
the Pacific Cuba, the queen ot the Amer
ican Islands, will not consent always to re
main a manacled slave, and when the chains
are to break, the United States can no more
say "Cuba is naught to us," than Cuba can
detach herself from her anchorage in the por
tals of the American sea, or ber sentinelabip
over against (he entrance of the thousand
armed Mississippi,
It is then assumed that Cuba will remain
independent, or will come under the protec
tion of England, or will become one of our
own confederated states. -
"It is," says the author, very justly, 'a
poor excuse for the unlawful seizure of the
territory of a friendly power, or for an un
warrantable interference with their rights, to
raise, in avoidance of the charge of robbery
and oppression, the plea of 'manifest desti
ny.' 1 be plea is really about as good for
tne Highwaymen as lor tbe cabinet - .Never
thelesa, there is certainly a tide in the affairs
ot nations, now ana m au the hereafter, until
the consummation of the law which moves
it, that to us is very "manifest". There is
something that is astonishing, but more that
is pleasing, in the prospect Of one people
shall ot made all tks nations oj ins earth ; and
this is written with an authority that has the
force of "destiny.' The idea has been de
rided by the scoffers, but by them, in a great
degree, it shall be executed. Tbe end has
been in. process of shaping a long, while, but
eaual obedience and eniovment, and furnish
ed in free schools, and the I applications - of
steam and electricity, the means 01 is cunu
aion, confirmation, and perpetuity.. Hither
to war has had its victories, no peace has
them y hate made conquests, and now love,
which is ' most 'natural ; additions to states
were by the attraction of repulsion, and so
transient ; now they are by that of gravita
tion, and it shall -be seen that however dis
cordant the material may seem, the influence
of brotherhood shall so increase, that they
shall be' held together by that of cohesion,
permanently. Without schools and newspa
pers there could scarcely be a free people at
all, though there might be an independent
one ; with knowledge and liberty there could
not be any stably vast empire, without steam
boats, railroads, and telegraphs. AU these
have come in due time, ana the laws of an
nexation will work fast Wars will soon dis
appear. Henceforth, they will, for the most
part, be waged against "manifest destiny."
Annexations are not likely to be made by
them ; but oppressed states, throughout the
world, will sue for admission to free states ;
and canals, and rivers, and railroad bars, and
telegraph wires, will hold them fast together,
blending all interests, and bringing remotest
points into proximity, so that this "whole
boundless continent,"for purposes of govern
ment, shall be in closer neighborhood than,
but for the inventions of our countrymen, is
the kingdom of Italy. A company proposes
to establish a telegraph line to Oregon ; there
is one now from the St Lawrence to the
Gulf of Mexico ; there is nothing in the way
of one from Terra del Fuego to Greenland,
along which, faster than lightning, intelli
gence shall flash from the South Pole to the
North Pole ; and Mr. Morse stands ready,
for a fair consideration, to put a "girdle round
the world in forty minutes." These things
were never dreamed of in their philosophy
who tremble at the extent of empires, lest
the j should be unwieldy, and fall by their
own weight If not a destiny, there is sure
ly a providence that shapes our ends ; and
we see before us tbe fulfilment of what seem
ed prophecies of the impossible, in the social
and political affiliation and consolidation of
continents and adjacent islands, ther. of hem
ispheres, and then of all tbe peoples of the
world.
Whatever may be said to the contrary, it
is very clear, from the best possible evidence,
that the large and better part of the Cubans
nearly all, indeed, except the officials and
their creatures have determined to put an
end to this perpetual military law, this un
paralleled tyranny, under which they suffer,
and to speak and act freely, to read what
they please, and to buy Ibeir flour without
paying a duty of $10,50 a barrel, not for
"motherly protection, but for oppression by
the unnatural parent against whom alone they
need protection. Let what will be their ul
timate destiny, they have made up their
minds to revolution, to be accomplished
peaceably if it can be, forcibly if it must be ;
and the result of pending negotiations will
decide the time and the alternative.
To sav nothin? of the well known wishes
of the Cubans themselves, a glance at the
map, showing the proximity of the island to
Florida, and its position in the" highways of
our industry, will decide the questions of fit
ness and necessity. Great Britain must have
no Gibraltar to the Gulf of Mexico. We can
no more yield this to her, than she to us the
command of the English Channel or the Irish
Sea.
Cuba has been placed, (says our author,)
between the Atlantic and Mexican seas, at
the crossing point of all the great lines of an
immense coasting trade, to serve as the cen
tre of exchange for a domestic commerce as
extensive as the territory of the Union, and
as free as its institutions. It is only after a
careful study of the incredible extent and va
riety of the products of thirty states, with all
their grades of climate, and in the whole cir
cumference of their natural and manufactur
ed wealth, and then only with the map of
North America distinctly before the eye,
that the importance of Cuba as a point of re
ception and distribution can be fairly under
stood. We cannot pursue this subject of the value
oi Cuba to the United States We cannot
help agreeing with the author, that, as be
tween Spain and Cuba, the former has for
feited every right to her supremacy over the
latter. This, however, does not justify an
unlawful interference on our part. But this
country must look to it, when the island shall
be free from Spanish dominion, that, in the
words of John Quincy Adams, " Cuba does
not fall into the hands of any other European
pwver.
In anticipation of revolution, our govern
ment has offered to that of Spain one hun
dred millions or dollars for the island ;
but this offer has not been accepted. Tbe
Spaniards are blind to fate. They will nei
ther relax the severities which make their
control intolerable, nor listen to any plan of
peaceful separation. How the court and
ministry are disposed to treat the subject, may
be inferred from the language of the journals
most immediately under their influence.
The Heraldo of Madrid exclaims :
It is well for all, whether natives or for
eigners, to know that the Island of Cuba can
only be Spanish or African. When the day
comes in which the Spaniards shall be forced
to abandon her, they will do so by bequeath
ing their sway to the blacks, just as a com
mander abandons a battery to the enemy,
after defending it as long as possible but
taking care above everything to spike the
cannon, that the adversary shall not make
use of them.
And we translate from the Spanish organ
in New York, the Chronica :
Whenever Spain shall see her West India
provinces threatened by a foreign force, she J
.:n it l i 1 r . 4
wui, 11 not wiui au equal numocr 01 cannon,
with the firmness which has in all ages dis
tinguished her sons, oppose that force. If,
in consequence of the war, signs should be
manifested that the hostile elements, now
subdued by the interest of one common race
were to be let loose, Spain would arm ber
Africans, and would guide them as auxil
iaries, as Ion" as it were in her power to do
so, and would grant them full liberty, as a re
ward for their aid, when she should perceive
that these means were not sufficiently pow
erful to .resist
We trust the tragedies of St Domingo
will not be re-enacted. But the interest of
the subject deepens. There is the ut ost
activity in diplomacy and with commissaries
providing for the failure ot ambassadors. It
will not Be long before all is decided ; and
in tbe mean while, we direct attention to the
book which has led to this article, which will
gratify all reasonable curiosity,' and truly in
struct the reader upon all the points which
the author has attempted to illustrate. . . ,
Yews rack ky aa Liks th wis. W set Dot
las edd conca, aor vhltbarvsrd it is tcad
isr;ndvKMtunlTH t witaaj tkeir flight
witbMt a seas Oat w n eaanctd ; and vet time
is twxalliBf ..ma of his strength, m ik vtad robs
the wood of tasir folia Ht is a wise aaa, arba,
uko the mUlwrigtt, employs every st Scctf,
THR. POWER OF THE PRESS .
- The St Louis? Reveille. In speaking of the Pre
sident Louis Napoleon, make, these just re
marks: ' ' ; , '
- This gentkman has a pinion Tor carrying on
war against the press. Every despatch from
France contains some new folly of the kind. Hist
doom is sealed.- The lime has long since passed
for gagging the press of France,' and it has well
nih arrived for unfettering the press of all Eu
rope. Mind has acquired an irresistible influence
over human affairs, and U who has th madness to
retiM it fut be enmhed in th encounter."
The ReveUle, in the above paragraph, has for
cibly expressed truths which will ere long be de
monstrated .wherever Power and the Press eome
in collision.' Louts Napoleon, in endeavoring to
.gag theJ press of FraQCt4jbita gt once his little
ness, ingrauiude and fatuity.. Before be reached
bis present high elevation, he was- glad enough
to avail himself of the aid of these sentinels on
the watch-towers of Liberty. Now. he would
shut their mouths, and drive them in disgiace
from their poets, because they will not cry " All s
Well" when they see treachery in tbe citadel, and
beliere in their hearts that Liberty is in dang
er. The war of Louis Napolron upon the Press is
more wicked and contemptible than that of Louis
Philippe or any other crowned head. It was
through the press that the aspiration of France
for freedom was first uttered ; il was its voice that
roused the nation a ad nerved its arm to the strug
gle which terminated in a Republic and paved the
way for Louis Napoleon's ejection. He seems
to have forgotten this fact, ss well as the services
which he may have received from tbe press when
his chances of election to the Presidency were of
the faintest kind. His hesd turned by a four
years' term of power, he contemptuously kicks
away the ladder by which he rose. He exhibits
decidedly tbe basest feature of human nature,
which, whether exhibited in public or private, is
evidence of a cold, depraved, and selfish htai t
iHoaATrrvDE ! The mas who, without pruvoca
tion, casta off ancient friends, nay more, who
makes war upon ihem, because he supposes they
can render him no iarther service, is capable of
any atrocity.
Ingratitude !
Is it not as tbis mouth ihoold tear this hand,
For lifting food to it 7"
But the President of France, engaged in a war
with the Press, will fare no belter than a King in
the same warfare. He may look down from his
transient elevation, deeming himsll" an eagle be
cause he has perched in an eagle's nest, but there
is a marksman below who will take him off.
The power that made can unmake. A press may
be gagged nere, and auother there, but the Truths
which ihey have spoken cannot be fetterred, and
will spring up in a thick harvest from the blood
of the martyrs." Three years will soon pass, and
then the French President will be a private cm
zen, but the Press will live. It will survive the
President, and all the officials who pas their e-
nhomrral life in ika cm nh inf nf 11 IS Smile. It Will
go on, fulfilling its gn-at mission of spreading in
telligence, virtue and free principles, long alter
Louis Napoleon is forgotten, or when he is only
remembered in wonder that France should ever
have elevated -sueh instate to -the first post of
a Republic. Kick. Rtfuut.
THE FLORIDA INDIANS.
The Washington Union is anxious that tbe
"perfidy of the savages" of Florida should
be properly punished. It ays there is no
reason to believe that the Indians will emi
grate, and it advocates an exertion of "phy
sical force," like Van Buren's Florida War.
The Union is indignant at the violation of
faith by Billy Bowlegs, who seems to be the
org in of the Red Republicans of Florida, and
is as crooked in his ways as he is in his legs.
The Union says :
The Jacksonville (Florida) News of April 15th,
under the head of " Another Indian War Anti
cipated," gives the following bit of nonsense as a
proclamation from the " Big Ingin":
" By the last sailing fishing smack Cockle,
Captain John Smith, which reached here ata late
hour last night, we are in receipt of our corres
pondent's letters from Big Cypress, enclosing the
following important proclamation of the renown
ed Indian chief, Billy Bowlegs, which will be
read with absorbing interest by the people of the
United States:
PROCLAMATION
"Billy Bowltgs, me big chief too much!
No hiepue dam! Esta Chate love home heap !
White men cheat 'em long lime! Oketucky fraid
big gun cry too much ! All gone hiepue che!
White man buy succa sow, me no bell 'cm!
Me, cbutte-ke nawa oges cde ! money heap !
Buy powder plenty, me! Shoot Este Iladky,
dam! Take scalp bimeby, too much! All my
people in Big Swamp Chippenosa burn bad !
Soak 'em in laguiie git better soon ! Soger cum
bimeby I No find Iugm no git Jem ! Gil sick
very much cry like Oketucky ! Die soon buz
zard eat em! Hee-e-e-yah! I
If there is to be a fight, we move tbat
' Bundlecund,' who, from his criticisms upon
Taylor's campaigns, seems to know some
thing of war, be sent on to reduce the incon
tinent Bowlegs. The country would look
upon such a contest with the cool indiffer
ence of the woman upon the fight between
her husband and the bear, not caring a pica
yune which was the victor.-Rich. Rep.
"AFRAID OF ABOLITIONISTS."
Under this head, the Parkersburg Gazette has
the following paragraph :
The late tramp of slaves from this county
seems to have impressed the dupes with the ut
most horror of their abolition conductors. All of
the fugitives represent themselves as having been
objects of plunder, injustice and maltreatment,
from the lime of their escape until their return.
Mose. the last to come back, claims to have seen
the 'Elephant' in all his deformity ; and his ac
count of the 'sigh:1 portrays a scene of horror and
malevolence too dark for description. He says he
was enticed into a 'Depot of the Underground
Railroad a deep, damp cellar, whose sides were
staiued with blood, and whose floor was cumber
ed with 'dead men's bones!" To bis lively
imagination, these objects appeared nothing else
than the traces and relics of soch run-a ways as
had been deluded and victimized before him. He
tells this tale to his fellow servants since his return,
and the narrative has fully convinced them of the
wisdom of his injunction- beware of abolitionists!
One of bu most faithful disciples, a few evenings
since, was beard making a great clatter in his quar
ter : his roaster drew near to ascertain tbe cause
of so much 'noise and confusion !' Upon enter
ing the apartment, he found Ebony busily enga
ged in nailing down windows, providing fasten
ings for doors and otherwise arranging lor a thor
ough barricade of tbe establishment,
"'What are you about, George!' demaaded
the gentlemaa, completely surprised at what he
saw.
' 'Why, I mean to shet out dem cussed aberli
tionists, what Mom tells about ; dey don t steal
dis nigger, no how dey don't!
" His master retired, struck with the fact that
the negroes, themselves, begin to view the aboli
tionists in their true light, dreading them aa their
worst enemies."
THE MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION
Tht New York San, which appears to bo the or
gan of the parties in the movement on Cuba, publish
es, ia it edition of Svaaaj last, the follow ins: state
ments, which it says it has reoeived from New Or
leans: . v.; '"
Oea. Lopes .aid staff left Row Orleaaa the
8ih inst , by steanu - . --
So admirably were his operations carried oat that
A Spanish Centul at tbat place, although spies
vert out ia every direction, did tut knew tf his it
yrtxr until tk luMf
The aamber of men already sailed i aboat 4000.
. . Moat of them served ia tht Mexican war.
The whole aamber poeiiivelv engaged Is 10,000
Geo; Lopes published aa ' address befora leaving
New Orleans, aooording to the account in the New
York San, in which he states that the balaaot form
log the eeooad expedition, coder tht eommand of a
dutimgnuked American GtneruL will sail $S sooa as
tat first body effect a landing la Cuba.
RAIiBI&H RB6I8TBR.
' -
Ours are the plana of fair delightful peace,
TJnwarp'd by party rage to live like brother.
RALEIGH, N. C.
Wednesday, May 29, 1850.
Remember that
the Whig State Con
vention to nominate
a Candidate for Gov
ernor, will meet in this
City, on Monday the
Oth of June.
THE CUBA EXPEDITION.
By reference' to the highly exciting intelligence
from Cuba, given in another column, it will be
seen -that a portion of the expedition, which ru
mor has been busy, fur some lime past, in intima
ting to be on foot, has actually landed oa the Island,
and commenced the adventurous work of revolu
tionizing and conquering. Thus far, the Expedi
tion seems to have met with but ill success. This
is as we had supposed; for, while feeling satisfied,
for some time past, ol the existence of this hostile
array, we have had no faith in its success. We
thought, as has proven to be the case, so far as we
have yeibeen able to judge, that il must of neces
sity be poorly-equipped and illy-disciplined, and
therefore, though successful in effecting a landing,
unable to cope with the superior numbers and
organization of a regular military force. We re
gard the idea that the invaders will be sustained
by the defections of the inhabitants and soldiery
as altogether improbable. The bigoted religious
prejudices of the masses, (which are opposed to
a change,) are stronger than any sense of degra
dation arising from the arbitrary exactions of their
masters ; and the influence of a crafty priesthood
is by far more potential than the reflected influence
of our Republican institutions.
There is but little probability, we imagine, that
the Expedition will be allowed to proceed furth
er in this movement. The Home Squadron has
probably ere this reached its point of destina
tism, and will intercept and prevent any new ad
vances. In the prompt and constitutional mea
sures which the President has taken to suppress
this illegal enterprize, he has acted up to his pledg
es in assuming the duties of his office, and will
doubtless be supported by the approbation of his
countrymen. Involving, as it does, a violation of
the law and of our sacred treaty obligations, Gen.
Taylor is bound, by all regard for the genius of our
institutions and ihe policy of our Government,
and by every consideration of good faith and
amity, to do everything in his power to arrest the
movement. In the Senate of the United States,
we see, Mr. Yulee was rash and ignorant enough
to attack President Taylor for this act oi duty.
Mr. Webster met the attack most promptly, and
demolished Yulee's objections with a single dis
charge of his unerring artillery of argument and
sound sense. He made it manifest in very clear
and comprehensive language that the President
had done no more in this case than fulfil the obli.
gations by which ihe United States government
is bound under the faith of solemn treaty stipula
tions; and he repelled most manfully and trium
phantly an iinpudentand foolish insinuation which
the Florida Senator veutured to throw out a
gaiost ihe republican principles of General Tay
lor. For our own part, we would rejoice to see Cuba
in better hands than those of her tyranical oppres
sors, though we doubt most decidedly, the hones
ty of this movement. If tbe Cubans would be
free from the Spanish yoke, let them rise in their
might and cast it off. Spain is imbecile, and
needs but a single blow to make her release her
powerless grasp on the Antillas ; and in such a
struggle the Cubans would have the sympathy of
all liberal governments.
NGS. j
WHIG MEETINGS
Warwa Cocirrv. Twenty-four Delegates ap
pointed to the State Convention, to be held in this
City, on the 10th prox. Resolutions adopted, ap
probating the administration of Gov. Manly, and
the course of the Hon. Edward Stanly. John C.
Slocumb presided and James Griswold atied as
Secretary.
Greche Codntv. Twenty -one Delegates ap
pointed to the Convention. Resolutions passed,
approving the present Governor's administration,
and pledging the mee'.ing to support the nominee
of the party. Henry Miller, Chairman j Franklin
Powell, Secretary.
Halifax Cocwtt. Col. Andrew Joyner has
been nominated as the Senatorial candidate,
and James D. Perkins, and Richard B. Parker,
Esqrs. for the House of Commons. Richard H.
Smith, Esq., a highly talented Representative in
the last Legislature, had been previously nomina
ted for the Senate, ana Dr. Henry Joyner as one
of the House candidates but the nominations
were respectively declined.
BusrcoMBB CouirrT. Eleven Delegates ap
pointed to the Convention. The resolutions of
the meeting recognize it as a duty incumbent on
the State to extend aid to a liberal and extensive
system of Internal Improvement; insist that Equal
Suffrage ia the right of every white man in a Re
publican Government, and that there should be a
change iu our basis of representation. The Del
egates choaea were instructed to exercise their
own discretion in "electing tbe most available
candidate for Governor. ' '''
RowaaV-Fifty Delegates appointed to the
Ckmvenuoswhe meeting pledging itself to give a
cordial and undivided support to the nominee
The meeting was addressed by the Honorable N.
Boyden, and by II. C Jones and Jno. B. Lord,
Esqrs. " -
Orrosmoa to the Compromise. A large
meeting was held in Charleston on the nightbf
the 20th instant, at which a series of resolutions
were adopted, strongly condemning the report of
the Comprotnbe Committee of the Senate. We
eipeetet as much. -
-
:fsM-Jim- COMIW)MISE.r? t
Af the time the Compromise Committee was
appointed ihe( sent iment . tras almost universal,
that the whole matter in dispute could and should
be settled, v From the speeches made by Mr. Clay,
Gen. Cass, Mr. Dickinson; and - particularly by
Mr. Webster it was roppoaed that all sectional
and parttzaa ieelinga would ' be merged for the
time in the general deterairiatipn , ,to give tran
quility to the exciting topic of shi very od the new
territories. Those who had sustained the recom
mendation of the President to admit California and
leave the territories of New Meneo and Utah in
their present condition, apparently yielded to
what was considered the superior and more ad
vantageous mode of adjusting the difficulties,
by embracing all the subjects in dispute in one
general settlement; hence, when what has been
denominated the omnibus bill was reported,
it received general approbation out or congress,
and the hope was indulged that it would be sus
tained by a majority in the Senate and House of
Representatives. This hope is not now as likely
to be fulfilled as it was some weeks ago : for efforts
appear to have been made to enlist Whigs agaiust
the Compromise, and in favor of the proposition
submitted by the President.
When the plan of tbe President was first pre
sented, we approved of it; and we sustained it
because we believed that it would give quiet to
the country, and because it recognized the right
ot the people of the territory to decide on the
question of slavery themselves. We supported
it as the best measure then under consideration j
but have always expressed an earnest desire that
the whole subject should be referred to a commit
tee, as proposed by Mr. Foote. With the report
of the committee we are satisfied, and think that
it ought to receive the vole of a large majority of
Congress. We believe that the adoption of the
bills reported would gtve repose to the country,
and that no other scheme would be altogether so
effectual for that purpose. And believing thus, it
is with no small degree of regret that we have
seen efforts made within a short time past, to bring
the proposition of the President at present prom
inently before Congress, and the country, and as
antagonistic to the plan of compromise reported
by the Committee. Gen. Taylor sincerely de
sires to have the troublesome question of slavery
settled, and we are confident lhat be will approve
any method by which that object can be effected.
He doubtless prefers nis own mode, without ob
jecting to that proposed by the Committee : and
if so, he will be content lo have the latter first con
sidered and fairly acted on. If it fail, then his pro
position could be brought forward, probably with a
better chance of success.
The plan of the Committee proposes to admit
California; lo give ihe territories governments,
leaving the subject of slavery untouched; to ar
range with Texas for the relinquishment of cer
tain territory; and to secure the restoration of fu
gitive slaves thus covering the whole ground.
That of the President is for the admission of Cali
fornia, leaving the territories as they are cover
ing only a part of the ground in dispute.
Now we act upon the principle of taking that
measure which will produce the greatest good ;
and if lhat cannot be bad, then taking the next
best. For this reason we would prefer that the
recommendation of the Committee should be a
dopted by Congress; but, if it be rejected, then we
would go heart and hand for thatof the President
not caring in either case what individual
might be advanced or depressed in his aspirations
for power and place. So that the country be
saved, it cannot be a matter of importance with
Gen. Taylor, whether it be by a plan of his own
suggestion, or by one originating with a commit
tee of the Senate. At all events, it would not be
material to the people.
"THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC DOC
TRINE." We alluded in our last issue to some of the re
markable doings of the Loco Focos in their late
" harmonious" meeting in tbis City. It will not
be forgotten that the "Standard" asserted lhat the
resolutions, offered by Mr. Shepard, "embodied
the true Democratic doctrine" that they presen
ted the glass by which all young Scions of the true
Democratic stock must hereafter dress themselves.
Now the question will naturally arise in the mind
of every one, what is that "true Democratic doc.
trine?" As defined by one of the resolution?, if
we have been correctly informed, the true Demo
cratic doctrine upon the subject of Internal Im
provement is, that the Representative ''lect shall
give no vote in favor of any measure, of State im
provement, until he shall have received the instruc
tions of a body, equally os Authoritative as that
from which he received his nomination. " Well,
Democracy is progressive, and is fast losing its old
familiar features. We were aware tbat the right of
instruction ws a cardinal dogma of the Loco Foco
Prty hut, by progression, they have got far be
yond, this, and now require the Representative to
wait an indefinite length of time for an expression
oi sentiment from his constituents. If a measure,
relating to Internal Improvement, shall come up
before the Legislature, the members from Wake
ought, we suppose, according to this new-fangled,
but nevertheless line Democratic, doctrine, to a
wait the action of a comparatively small number
of the citizens of the County, before they cast their
votes; and if no instructions be given, then, of
course, they must not vote at all ! No wonder
that Messrs. McRae and Busbee, and a urge ma
jority of the meeting, refused to acknowledge any
such innovation upon the faith. They could nol
swallow it ; but the "Standard," in its devotion
to its peculiar favorite, has gulped it down with
out any symptoms of chking. ' -;
Quere 1 Are there two schools of Democracy t
One would reallyhink so ; and that Messrs. Bus
bee and McRae, and their friends, belong to the
"old Scboolf" and that Messrs. Shepard and Hot
den belong to the iew School the School of
Progress or, more properly, the true doctrine
party. I ...
Our Whig friends would do well to keep aloof
from either, and alloW them to harmonize their
family jarring in their own way.
J ;
Fourth or JdlV. At a meeting of the citi
zens, on Saturday' afternoon last, Messrs. 8. W.
WhitingCCTBattle. W.T. Bain, C C. Rab
otepu and H. S. Smith, were appointed a Com
mittee to make arragemehta for tbe auitable cele
bration of the approaching Anniversary of Ame
rican Independence. v'--";i'f-ri?
ejapt- Hines, Lieuts. Gales and Stuart, and
Sergeants Smith and Ryals, have een appointed
a Committee on behalf of the Ringgold Guards,
to co-operate with the Committee of tbe citizens.
I-
The lion. Rorert Strakbe, we are glad
to see, in reply to a fetter addressed to him by Mr.
Foote, haa expressed the opinion that, under all
the cirwmslancea; the Compromise Bill oughftQ
ff ' PBCTIO AND HISTORY.
fWfeen the niertrarX
as t theUuion was before oar Governm
Whigs in CoDgTess,'and the Whig PreJ
ont the Cnnninr lcnt .k . wroaSk-
patient about the matter, what na inevitahu "
sequences would be Mr. Clay's RaJuT0"
in which he predicted the inevitable results rf '
nexatkra, at the time and under the circu
ces reads now more like History :ban Pro"
Upon recurring' to lhat celebrated letter p
closes' with the following summary of obi
W the movement, we are filled with .l"""?
. j 9 mirac w nn -
at th fearful nrtnM unth ,k;.i. ..
at the fearful exactness with which its app
eia-tri Kavaw vail fsoAn A41iAf "nl
sions have all been realized.
" I consider the 'annexation
time, without the assent of Me
compromising the national characte
meatus
us certainly in a war with Mexico jJZolllH
the integrity of th Union, and inexpS
present financial condition of the country . 41
The Loco Focos proclaimed, pompoUs. an,
authoritatively, that then would be no tear hof
ed at the idea of . Mexico's daring to pToT0ke L
prowess of this great and powerful nation 'tj
declared that il she did thus dare, we could v
her before breakfast." And after the compll,!
and crowning of the measure, they tauntiM
asked the Whigs Where now is the War
ing blood and treasure", which you pred
would grow out of it 1 " They were told, that Z
end of these things is not yet." Thus man
went on for a while, when, all on a sudden Z
a peal of thunder from a clear sky, we heard ihat
our army on the frontier had been attacked by th.
Mexicans, and that many of our brave soldier,
bad fallen victims to the foul breatli of War
The call for Volunteers to defend our country
heard through the vast extent of our domain
The coffers of the Treasury were thrown ope7
millions were appropriated, and an immense ton
plus revenue in the hands of the Government wai
absorbed to carry on this " before breakfast War
It was gratifying and cheering to the heart of
the Patriot, to witness the unanimity and entho
siasra manifested by both parties, in regard to u
king prompt and efficient measures to sustain it
Government. The arena of party contention and
partizan strife was deserted, for the ennobling il
atre of the Martial Camp and the battle-field; ud
citizen soldiers, from every quarter of theConfcd
eracy, with an alacrity and cheerfulness which
aone but a free-born son of libetly can know,
rushed forward to rally around our glorious stari
and stripes. Nor do we complain of ihe prompt
and liberal outlay of the Government in the emer
gency. It was right and commendable but wi
note the foregoing facts to show, that was Propa
sy in 1844 is History now !
That the acquisition of foreign territory, grow
ing out of the Mexican War, has proven, as Mr.
Clay predicted, dangerous to the integrity of the
Union, we have the most mournful evidences ev
erywhere around us. It will not be denied that
those who espoused and those who opposed tbe
annexation of Texas, did so mainly upon the
ground of the influence it would exert, in the bal
ance of political power, between the two sections
of the Union. It will not be denied lhat the ulti
mate design of Mr. Polk's administration, in the
Vigorous prosecution of the War, was tbe acqui
sition of Territory, and the acquisition of tbw
Territory, to offset whatever Free States might,
in the progress of time, be erected out of Territo
ry farther North. Could any motive for the ac
quisition of territory have been more unfortunate,
or more pregnant with fatal consequences, than
the avowed one of obtaining it for the pnrposeof
strengthening one part against another part of tht
common tonieueracy as not such a pnnci
ple, put into practical operation, most calculated
lo sow the seeds of a dissolution of the Union?
And has it not, under the sway of progressiTe
Democracy," most deeply and vitally endangered
the " integrity of tbat Union ?" In this instance,
also, is not what Was Whig Prophesy and Whig
warning in 1844i History now?
We call the sober, reflecting portion of the peo
ple, to mark well who they are that have threat
ened to' dissolve the Uoion, on account, mainly,
of an alleged disposition to do the South injustice
in providing Governments for the Territories, thus
acquired, and who have expressed adetermioa-
tion-to ma.ke the admission of California, with her
present constitution a constitution adopted in
strict accordance with the very doctrine they have
hitherto laid down the test question. Respon
sible for all the present agitation which is shaking
the Union to its centre forewarned too, by tbe
conservative Whig party of the country, as to I
inevitable consequences which have followed their
acts it is the Loco Foco party the leaden ol
that party so far as the South," at least, is con
cerned, who would now involve us, on account
of these very things, in all, the uutold horrors af
Disunion. -Yes, the Demon which stalks through
out the land, and raises his hideous front sgaial
tbe pillars of our Union, was evoked by the voice of
Loco Focoism that monster progressive spirt
whose natural aliment is tbe spoils of conquei
And that spirit must be put down, or our Repub
lican pretensions will prove but a sinful mockery
and reproach. -
Error of the Tvtrsv We notice a lodieroos
typographical error in the National Intellig
cerV report of Mr. Clay recent speech. Mr
Clay Js made to say of California, " if there is
slavery there, there is no need of lie regulation!
police being evidently intended. The substitfr
tion is not : bad, jiowever.' These mistakes w
sometimes creeps In, but nowhere less frequently
than in that model of typographical accuracy, t
" Intelligencer.' ' f J
Mr. Clay made auother Speech, on Tuesday
hut, in reply to MivSoule, of Louisiana, on tbe
Compromise reported by the Committee of Ths
teen.. The CorresDondeni X.. of the Bait"
Sun, says, that it is pronounced by tbeoklej
mMnhDM.trih.fi.1. v. .ii SnpechefS
fcuveredin that body. We shall endeavor
lay the speech before out readers in our serf.
io-THdisAs B. Biiicr. Esq. tas retired fiJ
the Editorial chair of the " Hillsboro' Democrat
The publication of tbe paper is to be cntio
under other auspices. .' ' . e
SEaiocs Affair. On Tuesday night .tart
young man named Anson Kester went to
house of Mr. John Sullivan at the Factory,
commenced a disturbance there. Sullivan si
off to inform against him, but was met, rw
from his house, by the man Kester, who aowjr
ted by threats to deter him from going i"V
Not succeeding, be assaulted him with sww
Mr. Sullivan was so seriously injured by
on the face, that his- situation at present
gardedaa dangerous to his life. KffLl
escape at the Ume, but was arrested last nigo'
is now ia jaiL Salisbury Watchman.
vtBy a statement in the Aurora, 'M
that ever 900,000 feet of lumber bare L.
fromTyVilmingtoo to California, m 8 different
seis. ' - -; " '