New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
THE PEACEM4KERS.

There VIII De no reserve III lut sdtlsidClioh
with which the great body of the people
throughout the country will hear the news,
reported fully in Saturdays TRIBUNE. of the
honorable and equitable settlement of our diff
ference with Spain in relation to the capture
of the Virginus. We speak of the protocol
arranged between Mr.. Fish and Admiral Polo
as the settlement of this matter, because
whatever may be the result IN Havana,
the Government of Spain has done its
full duty in the matter with prompt and even
generous alacrlty We have not been accus-
toned to expect such immediate satisfaction
of just demands from former Spanish Minis
tries, and the action of the CASTELAR, govern
mcnt is for that reason all the more unex-
pected and welcome No Cabinet in the world
would have listened to our reclamations with
more fairness, or acceded to them with more
promptness than the Republican Ministry of
Spain has shown.
We think much credit is due to our own
Government for having disregarded the mo-
mentary clamor for extreme measures, and
having restricted its demands within the GER
tain limits of justice aud true expediency.
The camor was only momentary, and came
mainly from those who are more efficient in de-
manding war than in assisting to carry it on.
Behind them was the great mass of the cOun-
try which took no part in the excitement and
required nothing but just reparation. In look
ing beyond the former to the latter classes,
the Government has shown q discreet and en-
ligbtened regard for its own interests and
those of the country. IL had an easy
duty to perform in view of the al
most unanimous support of serious people,
and has performed it, TO all appearance,
with skill and with success. Everything we
could properly claim has been presented and
insisted upon. if we may except the matter
of the pOstpOnement of the salute to the flag.
There seems no good reason why that should
be made to await the investigation which is to
be made into the character of the Vir-
ginius. The offense against our colors was
the same, whether the errand of the vessel
was lawful or not. This much is admitted
in her surrender, and it would seem logical
that the honorable amend should be promptly
made on the very spot where the offense was
committed. But this is not a matter of the
highest Importance. All the essentials are
conceded, and we heartily congratulate the
Administration and the country upon the
result.
But it needs only glance at the state of
Spain and OF Cuba to see how vastly more
difficult task was set before Senior CASTELAR,,
and how much higher a quality of moral
courage it required for him to perform it.
Our Government was fulfilling a popular
reuuisitiOn, while his was called upon to do
an act which was sure to excite to Opposi-
ton every impulse of popular passion
among his cOuntrymen in Spain and in
the Antilles. We have seen how Spanish
statesmen have dealt with these questions
under the monarchy. When the question of
the Lloyd Aspinwall threatened to plunge the
two nations into hostilities, Gen. Pnm, who
certainly did not lack any kind of courage.
came to the American Legation in dismay to
effect an arrangement by which he could
grant our demands without offending tho
Havana volunteers. Through a dozen sue
cessve ministries we have seen the same
incident continually reproduced, of Spanish
ministers shrinking from faction which they
knew to be right and needful, because of the
threatening attitude of the prO-Slavery party
in Cuba and their affiliated supporters in
Spain. 1t was reserved for Emilio CASTELAR, to
break tnat Iatu bptli VI supJcCIioh, VI W iail
IN the attempt to emancipate Spain from the
slavery of the West Indies.
The moment in which he took this notable
resolution gives it especial significance. The
feeling in Havana was one of triumphant hate
and defiance toward the United States. In
Spain the Republic was menaced on two sides
by the Carlist and the Cantonal instructions,
and signs of dangerous conspiracy had been OBJ
served among the adherents of the late dynasty.
Yet, disregarding oil political precedents,
Senior CASTELAR, took only time enough to
decide what waA thu law and equity Of the