Middletown transcript., 1873-11-29

i1 - nn11uon1 hsoses - 80 - -
111 = e6nIll = esppessi isssls = 49,
- = se(sesse - sapesSs = ~
t1 vhcints. ~ - Usiled 0sasss
- y - nasl-hsal, - ~ subssgssss
asssasss = ~ ssss. vsss viia vish h. |
1lgsasisa asd sxsitsnsaS. WiAhest watt
II 10 hsae he s'sstss Side" o. . more
dssailsd account u that siEair. they gave
Ny 70 The burst Of indignstiou and her-
ree vhieh The inhsnss sosdset Of the
SpssisA s2sials saassally evoked. Mass
nssliass vsss hsld and resolutions ef m
.sasussl dsssssiasisa of Spaia, sad es
synpashy * Osha. sad calling upes The
Prssidsst 70 take nsssurss sor immediate
vsnesases we're adep.sd. But. whom the
sober second thossht has had simc for &C.
tiss. and dissrsns and, probsbly. more
accurate account Of The virginius affair
hes bssa received. men arc beginning to
TAKE the matter more seriously. and to ask
i" what grounds have we for war with
Spaisl Was The insslt Of whish ve com
plain saeh violstion ef national rights ~
would justify the Gevsrnmsus in plussins
the nation into al the horrors Of bloody
var for i.s punishmsnsr'
There are many persons In this country
whs are extremely anxious to find pre-
tsxt for . var with Spain. in the hope
that The acquisition Of Caba would follsw
10 iss trais. bat war for such . purpose
could not b. justified in the eyes Of other
stations. War 10 too serious matter to be
entered into upon mere presext. To JUS
tify ~ in engaging in war W must be
sure that right is ON our side. To aseer-
tain. therefore. the proper status Of the
virsisias question. wbsshsr our honor as
. nation hes bssn insulssd. or whether our
rights have bssn Invaded. should bs the
subjses Of the most thorough aud earnest
Investigation before the Inauguration Of
such measures BY the Government ~ will
preeipitats hsstiltiss between this country
and Spais. II the virgipius was su A.
msrican vessel engaged in Legitimate pur-
suits, and duly doekesed Is United States
ship she wss entitled to the protection Of
the Gag she carried. and to immunity from
ssisurs. II she Was net an American YES
ssl, registered ~ such. but was ssiling uu-
der false eolors and without proper papers
and engaged In illicit pursuits, sheu any
interference o. the part II our Govern
nsnt with her capters cannot Be- justified,
Il isa most hunilia.ing and degrading
fact the. our Government docs not appear
70 know whether the virginius was Or wss
not entitled to the nasiossl protection, but
is totally in the dark on the subject.
| On the sns hand il is most positively
ASSERTED that the yirsinius, on her last
voyage. wss regularly cleared from King
stos, Janaica. BY the United States con-
sul, carried the United States flag and was
commanded BY . citizen Of the United
States. II this BE- true her capture was in
direct violation Of our most sacred rights /;
Of the treaty Of 1895 betwese America and
Spain ssd Of international law.
On the other hand il 10 contsnded that
The vessel did net bslsng 10 cisissss Of shs
United etssss, bot wss owned BY Cabans
! that her sarsyisg the Assricas dag wa,
illegal; that she vss Engaged 10 aess oi
hostility against the Spanish Governmss,
asd vas on the point Of carrying recruits
asd munitisns Of var to the Cuban insur-
, gents. The truth or falsity Of these as
ssrtioss can readily BE- ascer,aiusd, for the
, vessel either is or is net entered and num-
bsred upon the registry Of the United
States. Ifse. the nsxt subject Of inquiry
10. Was her capturs legal!"
| The right Of vessels. regularly doeu-
nsnssd snd carrying the American hag,
10 sail usmolested spos the high seas has
, ever bssn most slrsnsously maintainsd BY
, The Uaitsd States. and ii was mainly on
seeospt Of the practical violation Of .hi,
doctrine that Ne became involved in war
with Eoglaad il 1912.
sssh beiss the position Of .hs United
States il reference 70 the seizure Of vssssla
% the sss. Il follows that il IL most clear.
! he dsty Of the Govsrnmsss 70 demand 4
salisshssssy szplsaatien ef the seizure II
ths virsisiss and proper and fall repa-
rstiss and compensation for al losses and
. isjsriss sustaissd through her capture.
There =. however. ~ necessity for war in
srdss 70 assomplish thess eads. The Span.
Id Gsvsrsssas hes already sxpsssssd ito
| ssgsss q Ne sseusfsnes snd iss sssdinesu
= nahs ssy apeleey. szplasasios Of rsas-