The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-11-28
Gen. PryOr's Protest Against
Hasty Action.

To the editor Of the ". Y. 1ftohh6'
S1R-It is evident that a war with
Spaiu is imminent; and it is equally
certain, though probably not SO eVi-
dent to the multitude, that tue I'M
ted States are ill-prepared for war,
and that war even with Spain, VIII
involve this country in very serious
and industrial disasters.
The writer, while indignant at the
hatchery of the VIrginius passens
gers, and as sensitive as any TO the
honor ofthe American flag, thinks.
nevertheless, we have no casus bell1
with Spain; and that it is the duty OF
eyery citizen in the interest of peace
10 check the headlong passion OF the
people.
These propositions are submitted
"A enunciating indisputabl5 princi-
pies of international law
First-That neutral vessel may
be searched on the high seas; and If
found to carry the contra 1and OF war
NAV be seized and confisCated by the
adjudication of the Court of Admi-
rally.
SecOnd-Much more may neutral
vessel be seized on the high seas and
condemned, if it carry soldiers to the
assistance of the belligerent.
Third-This right to search, seize
and condemn the neutral vessel Is
not affected by the fact that the party
for whom the cOntraband and troops
are intended is an unrecOgnized com
| muuity of rebels. The case of the
Trent is not inconsistent, since she
was transporting hostile individuals
| to q neutral country.
Fourth-The legitimate govern
ment has the right to exact the for
felt of lite of such of its own subjects
az rise IN armed revolt against IT
authority, and has the right TO pun
,sh with death su 0ieCt5 of neutral
mower engaged in the revolt.
Fifth-The high seal the property
Of no nation, or rather is the proper
ty of all nations equally and neu
tTaI subject taken on the high sea
with arms, and in the act of going tt
the aid of the revolt, forteitS his llf
to the captor. .-.
Sixth-It is the duty OF neutra
nation to prevent the issue from 1t
ports of a hostile expedition in ai'
of the revolt, and if ii be incompeten
to the fulfillment of the Obligation
the injured power may enforce tn
c0rrelative right. Hence, Spal
might have as much right 10 obl1g
the limited States to observe thel
neutral obligations as the Unite
| States have to restrain or punish .
| force the excuses of the Cuban pee
pIe on the pretext that their Govern
f ment was incompetent to the duty.
/ The first fault was committed o
, the United States in allowing the dt
. parture of the Virginius on It's llllc
: and criminal eIrand, and they are
) no position to complain of conseQu3l
ces. 1t is notorious that the Virgin
| ms was fitted out in our ports for IL
express purpose of carrying men an
t munitions to the aid OF the Cuban r
: volt that she was caught in the az
; of carrying re-enfOrCements to rebel
e | and the consequences is that she
? forfeit, and the belligerent indlvlt
: nails on board were subject to exec'
= tion under the laws of war. The
: were outlaws, and had no claim
The protection either of public la
nor OF the laws of the United State
j.. If these propositions be correc
: then however execrable the condu
of these Cuban volunteers, and hoy
+ ever our blood may boil with indii
: nation at their barbarity, the Unit
e States haze no legitimate cause
a war with Spain. Surely we ha'
# had war enough for one generaao
: and our forbearance will rather chs
Y lange admiration for the lf-poise
y great people than expose them
}. the suspicion of pusillanimlty.
g ROGER A. Pryor.