The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-11-21
THE CAPTURE OF THE vIRGINIUs

Last week the whole country was
startled by the news of the capture
of the Virginius and the murder of
her crew and passengers. Since
that time the newspapers and peo-
pie have been discussing the matter
for the purpose of fixing upon some
plan TO protect our shipping aud the
lives of our citizens. All agree as
10 the necessity of Furnishing the
Spanish authorities in Cuba, and OF
compelling Spain to make some re-
paration for the insult upon our
dag. But just how these things are
to be done is not so clear. In
another place we give our views on
the question of war. We have
nothing more to say now, but shall
condense the latest news for our
readers that they may know what is
being done and said OH this just
now exciting matter.
The Virginius was captured while
sailing under the American flag.
Her crew and passengers to the
number of one hundred and eleven
were shot down by tens. The
Spanish authorities believed them
TO be "Cuban Patriots" Some of
them were citizens of the. United
States. The Virginius was an old
blockade runner. She may have
been sailing under our flag for more
protection. The ostensiblc passen-
gers may have been fillibusters.
BE this as it may our whole country
is greatly excited over the matter,
and many of the papers and people
are crying out war! war! The Pres
ident and his cabin have held more
than ono meeting about the matter.
He and Secretary Fish have spoken.
Several vessels OF war have been
equipped and ordered TO Santiago
dc Cuba. But we are assured that
this docs not mean war on Spain or
Cuba. The Government is going to
protect our people in the future.
In the meantime the Government is
waiting to see what the Spanish
Government will do towards max
ing reparation. The Madrid Gov
ernment has expressed a desire to
settle the matter amicably. But the
ConstSncia, a Cuban paper, and
Gen. Burriel, the butcher, are dis
posed to buster, like little fellows
slways do. Meetings have been
held in all the principal cities. The
masses attending them have grown
excited and many extreme things
said and done. Some companies
haye been organized to assist the
Cubans. or course they arc fill
busters. The leading papers of the
country are discussing the question.
The most of them are opposed to
war. Some of our great men have
spoken to the same effect. Caleb
Gushing says the murdered were all
"Fillibusters who had forfeited
their rights 10 the protection of the
United States" And further,
at would be better for the couAtry
IL some other fillibusters were seFy-
ed in the same way" Some of the |
murdered men were English sub
jects. This has caused the London |
papers to speak ont. They favor
the annexation OF Cuba to the Uni
ted States. Some of them would |
like to see the u. 5. Government |
seize the little Island and hold it by |
dint of power. They would be
pleased to have us make war ont
Spain. 1t has been limited that the |
United States and Great Britain |
would unite In war on Spain unless
u speedy reparation was made.
This is small talk, no donbt,
The latest accounts say that Sec
rotary Fish is not very certain
about diplomacy settling the matter.
Senator Morton. advises the Gov
eminent to wait until Congress
meets and looks into the matter.
That may he wise. For further
particulars see the latest telegraphic |
news in another column. ~