The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-09

pie. the congratulations OF Congress upon
the efforts to consolidate, in Spain, the
principles Of universal liberty in repub.
lcan form Of government The existence
Of this new republic was inaugurated by
striking the letters from slaves in Porto
Rico. This bene6cent measure was fol.
lowed by the release of several thousand
persons, illegally held as slaves in Cuba
IMPROVEMENT IN CUBA.
Next, the Captain General of that col.
ony was deprived Of the power to set
aside the orders of his superiors at Ma.
drid, which had pertained to the Office
since 1926. The sequestered estates Of
American citizens which had long been
the cause of long and frequent CORE.
spopdence, were ordered to be restored to
their owners. All these liberal steps
were taken in the face of violent opposi-
ton, directed by the revolutionary slave.
holders of Havana, who we're vainly
striving to stay the march Of ideas which
has terminated slavery in Christendom,
Cuba only excepted. Unhappily, how.
ever, this baneful influence has thus far
succeeded in defeating the efforts Of all
liberal minded men in Spain to abolish
slavery in Cuba, and in preventing the
promised reform in that island.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND SPAIN
The struggle for political supremacy
continues. The pro.slavery and aristo
orat party in Cuba is gradually arraying
itself in more and more open hostility and
defiance of the home government, while
it still maintains a political connection
with the Republic in the Peninsula and
although usurping and defying the auth
ority Of the home government whenever
such usurpation or defiance tends in thu
direction Of oppression or Of the maiute
nance of abuses, it is still power in Ma
drid and recognized by the government
This is an element more dangerous It
continued colonial relation between Cubs
and Spain than that which inspired th'
insurrection at Yara, and an element op
posed to granting any relief from misrul'
and abuse, with DO aspirations after free
dom, commanding no sympathies in gen
erous breasts, aiming to rivet still strong
er the shackles of slavery and oppression
has seized many of the emblems of powe
in Cuba; and under professions Of 10y
atty to the mother country, is exhaustint
the resources of the island, and is doiDl
acts which are at variance with thos,
principles of justice, Of liberty and o
right which give nobility Of character t.
republic. In the interests Of humanity
of civilization and of progress, it is to b,
hope sthat this evil influence may be sool
averted.
THE vIRGINIUs AFFAIR
The steamer Virginius was, an th'
26th day of September, 1870. duly regis
tered at the port Of New York, as a par
OF the commercial marine of the United
States. On the 4th Of October, 1870
having received the certificate of her reg
lister in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York, and has no
since been within the territorial jurisdic
tion of the Uuited States. On the 3ls
day of October last, while sailing un
der the flag Of the United States on tn,
high seas, she was forcibly seized by tn
Spanish gunboot Tornado and was carrie,
into the port OF Santiago de Cuba. wher
many Of her passengers we're inhumanly
and, SO far at least as relates to thos
who were citizens Of the United States
we're without due process Of law put t
death.
THE LAW OF THE CASE.
1t is a we'll established principle ASSERT
ed by the United States from the begin
ming of their national independence, re
cognized bp Great Britain and othe
maritime powers, and stated by the Ser
ate in resolution passed unanimously o.
the 18th of June, 1858 that American
vessels on the high ssas, in time c
peace, bearing the American flag, renal
under the jurisdiction of the country
which they belong and, therefore. an
violation, molestation. or destruction {
such vessel, by force or by the exhibitio
Of force, on the part Of foreign powe
is an insult to the sovereignty Of th
United States.
OUR DEMANDS ON SPAIN.
In accordance with this principle. Il
restoration Of the Virginius and the Sd
render of the survivors of her passenge
and crew and a due repsration to Il
Gag, and the punishment of the author
ties who had been guilty Of the illeg'
acts of violence, were demanded. tt
Spanish government has recognized Il
justice of the demand and has arrange
for the immediate delivery Of the vess
aud for the surrender of the survivors
the passengers and crew, and for salu
to the flag and for proceedings lookil
to the punishment of those who may
, proved to have been guilty of illegal nc
Of violence toward citizens Of the Unit
States, and also toward indemnifying tho
g who may be shown to be entitled to j
: demnity. A copy of protocol Of co
. ference between the Secretary of Sta
4 and the Spanish minister, in which t
! terms Of the arrangement were agreed
e is transmitted herewith. Our correspon
n ence on this subject with the legation
;. the United States is in cypher, and
o cable. and needs the verifcation Of
b actual text of the correspondence.
s has seemed to me to be due to the i
i portance Of the case not to submit Il
Q correspondence until the accurate te
: can be received by mail. 1t is expect
b shortly and will be submitted when
u ceived.
THE PRESIDENTS OPINION.
d In taking leave of this subject for
# present, wish to renew the expressi
,. Of my conviction that the existence
!. African slavery in Cuba is a princil
" cause of the lamentable condition of |
q Island. | do not doubt that Congr
?. shares with me in the hope that it v
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