Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-11-21
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

THE following is a brief resume Of the
events Immediately preceding and following
the capture of the Virgnius near the island of
Jamaica, which is reproduced for the benefit
of those readers who may not be entirely
familiar with the circumstances: 1t seems
that the Virginius left Jamaica on the Oath
ult, with the intention of sailing direct for
Cuba, but slight damage to her machinery
compelled her officers to enter a Haytien port
The repairs concluded, they decided to sail for
Cuba on the 30th, and on that day information
was sent to the Spanish authorities at Santiago
de Cuba of the departure. The Spanish war
steamer Tornado had that morning arrived at
that port, and four hours after the Governor
had received information of the Virginius,
went in search of her On the following day
the Tornado, under full sail and but little
steam, as some slight repairs were being made
to her machinery, sighted the Virginius, which
made no effort to escape, evidently supposing
her to be sailing vessel. The repairs on the
Tornado were speedily finished, and then that
vessel crowded on full head of steam and
with engine and sail headed for the Virginius.
The Virginius had, In the meantime, kept on
her course, but divining the hostile intentions
of the Tornado, changed it toward Jamaica,
and, being out of coal, commenced to burn
petroleum, grease, fat, and other combustibes
from the provisions on board. Soon after
night came on, and the Spanish vessel over
took the Virginius, fired a few shots, and that
vessel surrendered with all on board. Then
followed the execution, after a brief trial, of
the officers Of the vessel and about one
hundred of the passengers and crew. Among
D,.I, "a ~.
and American born citizens.
These executions, and the .atrocious circum-
stances under which they we're perpetrated,
have aroused a deep feeling of indignation all
over this country, a feeling in which the
Government undcniably participates. In
every navy yard on the Atlantic coast re-
sounds the busy notes Of warlilIe preparation.
Gangs of men are employed, night and day,
and even on the Sabbath, in fitting for sea and
for immediate service every available and
suitable vessel in the navy. The force of
sailors and marines is being constantly aug
mented, and there is every evidence that, be-
fore Congress meets, the country will be in
condition to defend the national honor, should
that body think proper to raise tine issue with
Spain. About the departments, in Washing
ton, there is very little surface excitement.
and everything moves along as IL the
course TO be pursued had been fully deter
mined upon, and would be inaexlbly pursued
TO the end The excitement in that city per-
tains more particularly to the resident popula-
tion, especially the Southern element, who
show as much hate Of the Spaniards as they
did in the days OF Lopez and Crittenden. The
most earnest members of the Cabinet, and
those said to be most In favor OF pushing
matters to extremity, are Secretaries Belknap,
Creswell, Robeson and Richardson. The re-
ported views Of the President are elsewhere
given at some length. f
At Baltimore there is large representation
of the late Confederate army, and they with
their friends and sympathiEers, are In an
highly excitable condition. ..
In Philadelphia the excitement continues
undated.
In st. Louis, on the evening Of the 18th,
one of the largest meetings ever held in that
city convened at the Court Hsuse to give ex-
preston TO the sentiment Of the people re-
gardiug the execution Of the passengers and
crew of the Virginius. Speeches were made
by Mayor Brown, Ex-Attomey- General Ba'
ker, and dozen other local speakers, all OF
whom took the strongest possible ground In
favor Of vindicating the national honor and