The sun., 1873-11-27
The Question Illustrated.


The case of the Virginius has recalled to
mind "a sad instance ia which two citizens
of the United states were cruelty muir
dered by the Spanish authorities in Cuoa.
On July 3, 1sGg Mr.. PuILLIrs, Nicc-Consul |
of the United States ut santiago dc Cuba,
notified the state Department that
CHARLES SpEAKMAN, an American clilzth,
who had embarked as 4 sailor on the VS.
sci Grupt-lot, had been murdered by the
Spanards after having been tried 10y a
drtimhcad court martial II appeared that
SrEAKNAN had been in ignorance OF the
destination OF the GFnrcshot and had been
forced To land on the island Of Cuba by
the Cuhaus who were passengers on that
vessel. lie delivered himself up to the
spanish authors ties as a non-combhtant
They denied HIM any respite in which to
prove the truth of his assertion, and hc
was forthwith condemned TO death ana
executed. He was a native OF Aurora, ILL.,.
and left wife and two young children.
A few days later intelligence was re
ccivcd of the murder of another American
citizcn, ALBEIT WYITTr, n rcsidcnt IN this
city. IIewas but twenty years of agcat tie
time OF his death. lie had been employed
Is "a telegraph operator in Nlc Dgoad street
uii.ce of the Western Union Company. \
Young Cuban. u friend o. hie, who repre-
scnted himself TO be Il r1rt owner ~ the
Grit,c.hut. invited MIR. NYLrH - take
voyage 10 south America in that vessel
Mr. WNErtt accepted the invitation, think
ing the voyage micht be ot benefit in his
then delicate state of health. He was IN
.ffH a. a.
dition and the destination OF the Grape
shot. Being forced by the Cuban- {" land
with them On the coast, he gave him-tH
up to the Spani.rIs a. non-comlutiult
Ito claimed the protection OF Consul
PHtILIrs, who demanded time OF the
authoii ics in order 10 bring witnesses
! from jamaica to stautiate Mr.. WYErns
statement. Tlis was refused, and with
his fnce turned TO the slaughter-hous"
wall the poor young man was shot 10
! death. His slight and boyish appearance,
! his Cnlturc and refined manners, aud hi-
bravo dcmcanur had Interested many OF
the better class ~ Spauaris in his favor.
but their rcmonstranccs were Of no avail.
Admiral HoFP was sent to Santiago de
Cuba TO investigate these cases. His CON
|
had been unwarrantably executed. Their
blood had been demanded 10y the volun-
teers and tho Spanish officials yielded to
| this demand. In cons, qucncc OF this re-
port Of Admiral HoFF Gen. SICKLEs was
instructed 10 demand Of the Spanish Gov
erumcut full rcpaIntion 10 th" families "f
the murdered men. 50 far ~ money could
make amends. Nearly four years have
pass,d s.nce then, and no repaIatiou what
soeycr has been made. Mr.. HAMILroN
FISH, for reasons best known to himself
has seen TT 10 let the whole matter drop
For his efforts in behalf of these two
Young men, Consul PHILLIPS first incurred
the hatred of the Spanish mob. lie VA
driven from his consulate and from ia,
island His property was condscated ant
his life was only saved by the protecting
influence of the British nag. our Govern
mrnt, instead OF seeking redress for thos'
irdiguiiios to its duly accredited repre-
sentative, appointed another Consul IN th'
place Of Mr. PnILLIrs, who was too mind
ful Of ms duty TO please After haViul
been thus abandoned 10y the Governmen
for whose sake he had lost all his property
poor PHILLIPS cane TO this city. Broke
p in spirit. reduced TO actual want, and Will
, no means left Of supporting his youn
I WIFE he committed suicide.
% What do the people think Of the polio
' | Of Il Government under winch the saorihc
l. of these three lives was possible!