Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-02
THE SETTLEMENT WITH SPIN.


The settlement with Spain is satisfactory
to all except those who desire war between
the two nations. Those who were anxious
for peace upon any terms are content, 1or
they have their wish in the avoidance OF
hostilities; the conditions they are not par
ticular about. And especially gratified are
those who while deprecating war and
frowning upon rash and unjustifable meas
ures to provoke it. yet held the nation s
honor too dear to consent to its sacrifice by
any settlement for the sake Of peace that
would humiliate our flag or leopard our
rights upon the ocean.
The position of the administration has
been with the latter class. The President
desired to avoid war if possible, but the
nations honor must be preserved let come
what would. Hence his steps have not
been rash. In the midst of the excite
ment that hlazed up for the instant taking
of Cuba he kept cool, but at the same time
the Secretary Of Navy put in action all
the resources he could command to pre-
pare the navy for warlike operations, and
the War Department looked over its avail
able means against possible bloody ext
gency. 1t was the judicious union of firm
ness and wisdom, of wish and hope tor
peace Joined with determination to fight
if necessary, and to be ready to fight at
all events, that carried the government
successfully through the negotiations. All
honor to the administration which has
brought this difficult matter to an issue SO
satisfactory! Even the Tribune tenders
its congratulations. says "all we could ask
is conceded" and declares that the admin
istration "has deserved we'll of the
country"
In the delivery of the Virginus our
government maintains the highest ground
in relation to our rights upon the ocean.
Neither Jefferson nor Webster went far
Their in their State papers. We object to
our flag being molested on the ocean in
time Of peace by the cruisers OF any other
nation, although it may be suspected that
fraud is being perpetrated under its folds
We hold it to be our duty to prevent if we
can and punish as We may such fraud
The virginius will be returned to us by
the Spanish government, and then the
question of the legality of her papers and
the right to use the American flag will be
investigated, with condemnation and pun
ishment to follow if fraud be proven
against owners and officers. This leaves US
upon safe ground. Such reparation as is
demanded for the survivors of the Virgin
Jus will be made by the Spanish govern
ment. With the salute of the flag on the
25th, unless before that time it be proved
that the Virginius had no right to carry it,
there is nothing more that our govern
ment could ask.
What the effect of this settlement will
have upon the republican government in
Spain may well excite some anxiety. Cas-
telar has acted nobly in yielding to the
Just demands made by us. while his OPP
posers have used his concession to stimu-
late the mob against him and overturn his
power. There is a suspicion founded upon
rumors that he will not be able to carry his
concessions into effect. on account of the
strength of the opposition to them, but
that would signify of course that he could
not control the government and would re-
suit in his leaving it to its fate. 1t is to be
hoped that he will be able to keep his
agreements, but whether he is or not, we
cannot undertake to control or direct the
political affairs Of Spain, but must wait
events and secure our rights in such man
ner as we can. If CASTELAR, goes out as
the head of the government, his successor,
whoever he may be, or of whatever stripe
of politics, will be bound by the acts of his
predecessor to render justice to US, and
cannot escape it in any honorable manner.
Whatever good reason there may be to
doubt the ability of the CASTELAR, govern
ment to maintain its authority in Spain,
there can be none for believing that the
settlement of the Virginius case as
made will not be final.
Cold weather that sends the mercury
down to fifteen degrees below zero is
sharp weather for the first day Of Decem-
Der. We hope this kind of thing will not
continue through the winter, for if it does
as Yellow Jack. r...-