The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-12-12

b lie In the interests Of humanity o
n civil government and OF progress, it i
S to be hoped that this evil in tutur,
D may be soon broken.
: THE CAPTURE OF THE vIRGINIUs.
: The steamer Virginius was, on the
; Goth day OF September, 1870, duly
registered at the port Of New York al
part Of the commercial marine oftht
United States. On the 4th of 0cto
ber, 1870, having the certificate of hel
register in the usual legal form, she
sailed from the port Of New York
and has not since been within jnrisdic.
ton of the United States. On the
3lst, of October .last, while sailing
under the flag of the United States on
the high seas, she was forceibly seized
by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, and
was carried into the port of Santiago
de Cuba, where many Of her passen.
gers and crew were inhnmanly and
at least SO far as related TO those who
were citizens OF the United States
without due process of law put to
death, 1t is we'll established prin-
ciple, asserted by the United States
from the beginning Of our national in,
dependence, recognized by Great
Britain and other maritime powers,
and declared by them IN resolution
passed unanimously on the 10th day
of June, 1858, that American vessels
on the high seas in time Of peace,
bearing the American flag, remain
under the jurisdiction of the country
to which they belong, and therefore
any molestation OF or interference
with such vessels by force on the part
of a foreign power is in defiance Of the
sovereignty of the United States. In
accordance with this principle, the
restoration OF the Virginius and the
surrender of the survivors among her
passengers and crew, and due
PREPARATION TO THE FLAG AND PUN
ISHMENT OF THE AUTHORITIES:
Who had been guilty OF the Illegal
acts of violence were demanded. The
Spanish Government has recognized
the Justice OF the demand aud has ar
ranged for the immediate delivery of
the vessel; for the surrender of the
survivors OF the passengers and crew;
tor salute to the flag; for proceed
ings looking to the punishment OF
those who may be proved to have
been guilty of illegal acts OF violence;
and also toward indemnity to those
who may be shown to be entitled to
it. A copy OF the protocoL.of confer
ence between the Secretary Of State
and the Spanish Minister in which the
terms of this arrangement were agreed
to be transmitted if not given. The
correspondence on this subject with
the Legation of the Unites States is
in cypher and by cable, and needs the
veriticati6n of the actual text of the
correspondence. 1t has seemed to
me to be due to the Importance OF the
case not to submit this correspond.
ence until the accurate text can be re-
ceived by mail. 1t is expected short
ly and will be submitted when receiv-
ed,
In taking leave of this subject for
the present, wish TO renew the ex-
preston of my conviction that the ex-
istence OF African slavery in Cuba is
the principle cause of the lamehtable
condition Of the island do not
doubt that Congress shares with me
the hope that it will be soon made to
disappear and that peace and prosper
ity may follow its abolition. The EN-.
bargoing Of American estates in Cuba,
the cruelty to American citizens de-
tected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish Cover ment, the numbering
of prisoners taken without arms in
their hands, and the capturing upon
the high seas of vessel sailing under
the United States flag and bearing a
United States registry, has eliminated
in an outburst of indignation that has
SEEMED FOR A TIME TO TEND TO WAR.
Pending negotiations between the
United States and the Government of
Spain on the subject Of this capture, |
have authorized the Secretary of the
Navy to put our navy on war foot
ing TO the extent, at least of the entire
annual appropriation Of that branch of
the service, trusting to Congress and
the public opinion of the American
people 10 Justify my action.
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGES.
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