The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-22
TEE vIRGINgUSo Or UyIR-
f.BtHA.,


ton of party, and with what importance
they are considered, and the great weight
attached thereto, he would never be guilty
of an attempt to misead the country by a
hasty opinion, formed without an investiga-
ton of the facts and due consideration of
the law, both state and International appli-
cable thereto Recognized, too, as he just
| " is, rs the foremost statesman of the
country, especially in reference to our for
| cign relations, the history of the diploma
| cy of this and all other countries, ever
| since diplomacy was known, and an init
mate, full and thorough understanding of
international law, in all its bearings, he
would not idly risk his reputation upon a
rash, inconsidcratc, hasty, opinion designed
for the public eye. We published, day
or two ago, his letter in reference TO Cuban
affairs, and we need not say, after the
opinions we have, from time totimc, given.
that we are in hearty accord with the scn-
timents Of his letter.
Outside of that class of men whom we
are accustomed to regard as statesmen, is
another publicist. We may say here, that
there Is misapprchcnsion in the public
mind in reference to the word Statesman"
~ politician is not always and, perhaps,
very rarely-a statesman. \ Senator or
Representative in Congress is not, neccs-
sarily, statesman. Far from it, as the
vast majority of those occupying these re-
sponsible stations are deficient in the first
elements which go to make up statesman
ship. y mans business, profession or oc-
cupation in life, or any official position he
may be called upon TO fill, even if it be the
highest IN the land will not constitute him,
L)so tdct0, statesman neither will his
position, business occupation, or want of
Office dcbar him from a rightful claim to
that appellation. Statesmen are found
among our farmers, merchants, lawyers,
clergymen, scholars and, in fact, in every
department of life. William NJ Evarts,
Charles O'Conor, Charles Sumner, and
others are statesmen, and so were CLAY.
Webster, Calhoun, Marcy, Cass and many
others that might be mentioned. So Theo
dorc Dwight Woolscy-a clergyman, n
student, and, for many years, "A teacher as
president of Yale colleges II statesman.
As such. in its best sense, as publiuist,
ana as an ",,,i.o-, Lo hoe hoan, 70. "a long
time, regarded as a standard authority on
international law. His published work, on
that subject, is regarded as among the abb
est and best cXpositiOns upon international
law cXtant. Indeed, it is quoted and refer
red to in courts and diplomatic correspon-
dence as the highest authority. Would he
impair its value and jure his own rcputa-
ton as publicist, by hasty, inconsider-
ed, ill-advised, untenable opinion upon the
case of the Virginius, or any other case
We hardly think it among the possibilities;
and we do not believe that any one, no
matter what he may say, seriously enter
tains such thought. What is his opinion?
He says IF the Vrgnius, though sailing
under the United States flag, was en-
gagged in traffic prohibited by the law of
" nations, then the United States govern
'ment cannot make the transaction any
" ground for war, or, in fact, of COM
"plaint This it seems to lis is reason
common sense and law. 1t is, substantially
the ground which we took at the outset
when almost, if not entirely, alone of the
American press, we urged that there were
two sides to this question that war was
not necessary that the Virginius was too
cncc, or resort to stern, extreme measures
We arc, naturally, gratified to find our po-
siton sustained by two such eminent men:
as, also, TO observe that the leading news
papers OF the country are changing front"
and placing themselves ON the ground we
occupied, unsupported, at the outset.
The question of the right or duty of the
United States to interfere, or demand re-
paration, for the capture of the - Viyqiaius"
Is rendered still more doubtful by a recent
discovery, or by Il fact but recently made
public, There are many intricacies
to our navigation laws or regula-
tions, as we may call them, all of
which we do not profess to be acquainted
with; we know, however, that certain for
malties must be gone through with, be-
fore vessel has u right to sail under the
flag Of the United States so that that FLAG
shall protect the vessel and its contents
whether passengers, crew or frcght-by
II
making, in contemplation of international
law, the vessel United States terri
tory. Even, after complying with all
these iormalities, as we have, heretofore.
seen, that protection Is not always due or
accorded. If we understand correctly. no
passenger, merchant or other trading yes
sci has the right to fly our flag, or claim
our protection unless it is duly registered
and licensed. An individual, company or
corporation cannot buy, build launch
ship, and sail it as a vessel of the United
States, with her colors as a protection,
without such register and license. They
are sine qua non, an essential prerequisite
to the right to sail, as such, and to the protec
ton Of ourllag. tits stated, uponthe highest
authority, that the "Eir@aius" is not
registered, and that 10 license has been
Issued thereto. 1t is stated, moreover, and
1t is very suspicious and important cir
cumstGnce in the case, that similar vessel,
and without doubt the same vessel. is
registered and licensed as the "Vi,yinia."
Why this change of name, if on proper
and legitimate business If it was thought
necessary or proper, or it suited the whim
OF the owner, to change the name, these
same laws or regulations require a new
register and license If these facts are
true, and there seems to be no doubt of it, !
the "Virginius" was not entitled to sail