The Portland daily press., 1873-11-21
Wanted-Good Government in Cuba.

The care of the virginius still occupies a
large share of the public thought and atten-
ton, but the violent and angry feelings so
freely expressed Immediately upon the oc-
currence of the massacre, are giving place to
calmer consideration of the matter. The
general feeling OF kindness and sympathy
toward the Madrid government goes far
toward allaying the war spirit and permitting
opportunity for effecting all desirable ends by
negotiation or arbitration.
The position taken by the Cuban authori-
ties, that the Virginius was a private and
that her captors had the right to condemn
those found on her to death, finds some sup
porters among our people and leads to argu-
ment rather than defamation. Some ora
Democratic or of the professionally sensation
al order, are clamoring tor immediate war
and demand an invasion of Cuba without
more ado. A curious fact in connection with
the situation is, that the peace men of 1861
are now crying out most blatantly for blood
The administration treats the subject in its
usual steady, firm and sagacous manner with
steps requiring the humiliation of withdraw
ing, at the same time resoute to do all that
is necessary to the national honor and safe
ty.
That some positive and decisive action must
be taken seems clear. Granting that the
Virgihius was entirely in the wrong and that
the majority Of the dead men deserved their
f,fn ,.sa 81, Al
haste in which the thing was done, the AFRO
CANT disregard of the appeals for delay of
our representative at Santiago and the
refusal Of an opportunity for defense of the
prisoners constitute an affront to the nation
which merits a stern rebuke. The tribunal
which passed sentence recognized different
degrees Of gull. on the part of the captives-
some of whom were sentenced to death, some
to the chain gang, some to four and some to
eight years of Imprisonment, while three
were found innocent and liberated. This
action admits that there was doubt about
the guilt of a large portion Of those found on
board even from the standpoint of this saw
age tribunal. By what rule was the discrm-
ination made? Wha. opportunity was given
to prisoners to furnish proof of innocence?
How many of our slaughtered citizens could
have proved themselves guiltless, even in the
eyes of such a court, had time been allowed
to put in defense?
1t ought to count for something to be an
American citizen. 1t certainly ought to en-
sure to one captured on the high seas and
charged of crime decent observance of the
forms of justice in his trial. 1t may safely
be assumed that some of the dead Ameri-
cans at Santiago were as innocent as the three
who were liberated. What is to hinder that
other innocent Americans may be caught
and killed by these Spanish ruffians on the
bare charge of some crime and without
trial?
Thus we may admit in general the justice
of the denunciations which are heaped on the
inmates of the Virginius as 'Filibusters'
Adventures" PIRATES, "Outlaws" and
all the rest-that such epithets are not ap-
plicable to all these men, however, is con-
clusively demonstrated by the acquittal of
some of them by even that blood thirsty tr-
bunal, organized to convict-and yet find an
urgent necessity Tor action on the part of our
government Waving the theory of revenge
for the past, we must still insist upon security
for the future. The existence of so uncivil-
lied and irresponsible power as these Span
ish volunteers, on territory so near and of
such commercial Importance to us and init
macy with us, is perpetual menace, is dam
geroDs and provocative of constant difficult
ties.
Annexation should not be thought of. The
territorial extent of our country is already
alarmingy large and the addition of so large
an area, occupied by so undesirable popu
latiou, would be disastrous. We want no
tropical land nor people. There is sufficient
difficulty in assimilating our present mixed
population without such wholesale increase.
There remains only recognition of the uban
Republic, with material aid, or all establish
ment by Spain of good government in Cuba
and thorough subsection of the volunteers,
which we could cooperate with Spain in eff
fecting or force her to effect, as might prove
necessary.
The one thing which should be borne in
mind and not obscured by collateral consid-
erations, is the absolute necessity of a stable
and responsible government in Cuba. We
require 1t in self defense. 1t is essential
to our security and prosperity. We may
trust our government to act wisely and
firmly with this purpose in view, avoiding if
possible the horrible resort of warfare but
insisting upon such result as shall secure in
time to come due regard to the honor and
dignity of the nation and the reasonable Sc
curity of our citizens.
THANKS to the Republican party, which,
in 1872, elected Judge Davis to take the