Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-04
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER ., 1878.
NO WAR WITH SPAIN.


The protocol which is expected to re-
suit in driving entirely away the threat
ening war cloud that has been lowering
over this country for the last two weeks,
was signed on Saturday last, by the Chief
Of the United States State Department, /
and by Admiral Polo, in behalf of and |
under the direction of the Spanish gov
eminent Everybody who has the in
terest of this nation and of the people at
heart, will rejoice at this happy termina-
ton Of a serious complication between
the two nations. War, with its train of
carnage, murder, rapine and misery,
should always be regarded as an evil TO
he avoided if possible, and the nation
that unnecessarily makes war, has re-
sponsibility that cannot be lightly met
and carried; but in this case, after our
sovereignty had been7attacked, our flag
insuted, our jurisdiction invaded and our
people murdered, there was no alterna-
live for the United States, after exhaust
all diplomatic efforts to obtain justice,
except an appeal to the sword, to defend
by fire the institutions and government
we cherish.
The butchery of the murdered crew
and passengers of the Virginius, cannot
be recalled by either war, or by negotia
ZION. 1t was an inhuman massacre of
uuarmed and defenseless men, a crime
AGAINST humanity and the laws of all
civilized countries. Spain disclams the
inhumanity and promises a trial and
proper punishment of the parties guilty
Of this outrage, and this is all we can
ask of them in respect to that. The
Virginius is to be Immediately restored
10 the United States, with all her sur
yiving passengers and crew. If it can
be shown that the Virginius had no right
to carry the American flag and papers
of the United States, this government
promises to institute proceedings against
the vessel and surviving parties who
have violated the laws of the United
States. and administer such justice as
our laws give.
In reference to the invasion of our
jurisdiction and the insult to the flag of
the country, Spain disclaims any inten-
tional indignity, and unless she can sat
isfv the United States, previous to
Christmas day, that the Nirginius had
no right to the protection of that flag,
the Spanish forts and war vessels are tC
salute the emblem of our sovereignty,
and, so far as possible, wipe out the in
sult The matter of indemnity for dam
ages to property and to the families OF
the murdered men, is left for future
consideration, and will be settled by ar
hitration, unless otherwise agreed upon
If there is any concession that Spair
ought to make, that is not covered by
this protocol, we have overlooked it il
nur hasty examination of the treaty ant
correspondence of the high officers act
ING for the respective governments.
This happy termination of the Span
i~h question, should be q subject o
special thanksgiving to all the nations o
the earth. as well as those directly in
tcrested, rs it exemplifes to the power
of the earth the possibility of applyin
arbitration to national difficulties, Will
the war fever is at its height, and befor
a bloody war has enervated and weak
ened one or both of the contracting pal
ties; and if in the course Of event
Burriel and his principal officers shoul
be punished for their capital crimes
would teach a lesson to subordinate Of
ficers, representing their government
away from home, that would secure ii
peace of nations and render such office
extremely careful how they took upc
themselves the responsibility of acts il
yolving such fearful consequences. i
this course of conduct the Spanish mi
isters have entitled themselves to our r
spect and hearty sympathy in their hon
struggles for republican institution
and removed all necessity for our int
ference in the Management of her colonie
We shall now hope to see the arrang
ments carried out in good faith, and t
criminals punished, the insult atom
and the friendly comfy that IS due fro
one nation to another fully restored /
tween us and Spain. We are for pea
if we can have it hOnorably, but
war if necessary to make us respecte
so that we can rely upon our flag being
sure protection to our people and tn
DrODprty