Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-22
THE CUBAN MUDDLE.
Intense ExeffemenG Throughout the
United Sfates.---WaF Probable


In our last weeks issue we mem
toned the capture Of the steamer
Virginius by Spanish man-of war,
and the summary execution by the
Spanish authorities at Santiago de
Cuba, of certain Cuban patriots and
Gen. Ryan, an American citizen.
Since then ffty-three other executions
are officially reported and rumor says
all the passengers and crew Of the
Virginius have been hurled into
bloody graves by the eowardly cut
throats who rule in Cuba; which, if
true, swells the number of victims to
Spanish vengeance and ferOcity to
over one hundred, This is a fearful
holocaust, that appeals with tongues
of fire to civilization for justice upon
the heartless murderers.
That our readers may understand
the situation, we will briefly state the
leading facts. The Virginius was an
American vessel, sailing under Amer
can colors. and with American papers
At Kingston, Jamaica, she received
a quantity OF arms and munitions Of
war, and a number of Cuban patriots.
all to be landed at some port IN Cuba.
Before landing and while on the high
seas she was captured by Spanish
man-Of-war, taken to Santiago dG
/ Cuba, and the Cuban patriots OF
board, General Ryan aud Capt. Fry
commander OF the VirgiRius, witt
others. summarily and brutally muir
dered by the Spanish authorities. L
is true that the Yirginius was carry
ing "contraband of war"-that the
majority of persons on board wert
Cuban patriots and hostile to Spanisl
authority la that island, but it Ii
| equally true that Capt. Fry and hi
crew and several others were Amer
can citizens and entitled to the pro
lection of the American Government
But without trial, without any mott
fication whatever to the American Off
Gals, and with brutal haste they
were murdered. The whole countr,
is stirred as it has not been since on
own civil war, by this unparalleled
atrocity and insult. The press of thu
country. with hardly an exception
damand the recognition of Cuban in
dependence, merciless revenge TO
the cold-blooded murder of our fellow
citizens, and the gross insult to III
flag of the Republic.
President Grant and his Cabine
are said to be thoroughly in sympa
thy with the outraged sentiment o
the country. Greater activity is re
ported at all the navy yards of tn
United States. A number of war
ships, torpedo boats and iron-clad
have been ordered to sail for Cubal
waters. Immense popular demon
STATIONS, headed by the most promi
nent and distinguished men of tn
country, are reported from all tn
principal cities North and South 1
short, the whole country is ablaz
with excitement. and Son to Cuba
the watchword of the hour.
Excitement and exaggeration theT
may be in the dispatches we daily re
ceivs, but that the whole country
profoundly stirred, and that war
iminent there can be no doubt. Th
storm may pass over and the Govern
ment may be content with apologize
and promises, but looking beyond
in any event, we see Cuban indepel
dence and annexation IN the near fl
ture. Humanity and civilization d,
mand that Cuba shall abe free. Fill
busters will achieve it should oil
Government fail to meet the respol
sibilities and duties of the hou