The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-11-27
THE CUBAN DtFrICgLTtEs

Free-bootert, hough romance and poetry
have penned many a sonnet and legend in
honour Of rich Cast Hfan blood In the Unit
ed Netherlands in Peru in Mexico, in ths
East and West Indies, the flag of Spain has
been symbol Of blood and tyranny. Prot
estant and ipfdei, have alike tasted the ven-
geance of this cruel Nation Prince and
peasant added alike to the list Of her victims,
civilization and harbarism chained, throttled
and disn,antled BY her rapacity. In the
eighty years war with the United Neither
lands, neither women nor children, old age
nor babyheod,- nor ansullied virtue, was
protection. To be a protestant was enough
to invite the assault Of her armies, and to be
made prisoner, often but short prelude to
the axe, the haugman's haltar, or the ipqulsl-
terial torch. Hence We do not read with
wonder that, citizens Of besieged towns IN
Che Netherlands wauld live OF die ON shoe
leather and thistfes, rather than surrender to
the power Of demoiiae enemies, or that Dutch
sea captains would blow up their ships. crew
and al, in preference to striking their Hag to
their battle shipa Pizarro in bic conquest
OF Peru and his execution Of the Inca, COM
mitted murder 10 cold blood and embellished
it with revolving robbery. Nor did Her
nando Cortes, lat theheadof the flower Of CasLii-
ian cavaliers, not witch less bad faith and CRU
city when he overran Mexico and laid his
mailed hand upon the crown and person OF
MoDtezuma. We deny not that onthe histo-
RE page there is many a gallant deed recited
aad achieved by men Of Spanish blood, and
that heroism and fostitude have been Illus
trated BY her generals snd armies. But the
Spanish nature, as general rule, is cruel and
thi.sts for blood por have the sostesing in.
fuencss Of civilization mitigated OF chastened
this savage Characteristic. 10 the late Fir'
einius affair the Spaniard has exhibited hE
disregard FIR law and life 10 colours the mos
revolving, Selling on a vessel with American
papers, travelling the high seas, in a time o
profound peace existing between every com
mercial nation. The Spanish authorities have
appropriated the vessel and baselJ murdered
the crew, passengers a-a officers.
| We have already given the account OF thn
capture and execution. Now the question
on the American peoples mind IS. what Ii
proper to be done as just punishment to-
this violation of law this inhuman eutchery
consistent with the honour of the American
Gag and name.
| As to the best punishment, this is hard e
determine. The Spanish people are now nn
dergoing an ordeal as severe as any we coult
adopt. They are within the coils Of eivi
war and the hand Of the Spaniard is ON thu
knife to plunge it in the heart of his neigh
Dor and brother Of She rival faction to hi
own. We could hardly think Of a more ter
rible penalty than civil war for the risdeed
of people. But we must &c. here to pre-
vent, if possible, future outrages. Apollo
gies will hardly do, without some security Q
hostage for the prevention of liks acts in til
future. Apologies have bsen laid at on
feet, oft and again, for offences committed az
ainst the United States, but the apologize
were all, snd the piratical misdeed
went on.
j Tho FIRST enquiry of our Statesmen Wi
be doubtless as to the right of Spain t
search our vessels. A Free Flag makes fire
goods in time of peace, is the doctrine {
America, and we think Of international Law
The letter of Mr.. Webster in 1912 to Lor
Ashburton assumed, that n vessel on til
high seas, marine league from TIE shore,
regarded as part of tn. territory ef the n;
ton to whom she belongs, and IS subject, ez
clusivsly, to the jurisdiction of that nation
The Firginius was more thar marin
League from the Spanish or Cuban coast. an
possessed Of American papers and Aoatin
the American flag. To seize on her, or hs
crew, or her passengers, was violation {
this rule. +"
4 Again, Mr.. Webster in his instruction t.
Mr. Everett, our miaistor to England, an
nouucod for his guidance the rule. that
vessel IN time Of peace was not required t
show p&psrs, but only in time Of war, IS ey
idencing her neutrality, and in 1912 t.
American government annsunced that ever
3oeumented American vessel and the ere,
who navigated it, would End their protectio
in the flag which floats over them.
A sea, except when it lies within the EN-
inent domain Of State, exclusively, is equal
" the public highway, and subject to tn
common use Of e7er5 PISTON that is civilized
An exception cs to harbors and in,ets an
the marine league Of sea from the coast, W
believe, is recognized in the law Of nations
/ In only two ways could the Spanish natio
claim the power exercised by them in the cas-
Of the Virginius. One way is by the law {
nations. We have seen how this law does nc
Justify it; another way would be by treat
between this government aud that of Spair
Now there has been treaty. bnt in n}aec r