The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-30
WASHING

In the the Departure of the virgin tus
from Aspinwail."
since the publication In these dispatches OF the
correspondence which passed between our Consul
at Aspinwan, Commander Reed, OF the United
states steamer Kansas. and Lieutenant Autram,
commanding the Spanish vessel OF war Bazan, re-
specting the right OF the American steamship
Virginius to the protection OF the United states
nag there has been the liyecst interest, not oaly
In official quarters, but IN diplomatic circles, To
learn how our government would regard the act OF
Consul Vhorrington, captain Rockendorn and
Commander Reed. The correspondence has also
been the basis OF conjectures discussing the
propriety OF the act and questioning the justice OF
the protection afforded the vilginius when it was
known that she was laden with munitions OF war.
The following from semi-olicial source gives the
views of our government
1t IS well known that the Spanish government has
never recognized the ndepe ndence of the United
States OF Colombia. while our government has,
and receives It's representative as Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plcnipotentiary. SO far,
then, rs the rules laid down for the guidance OF n
neutral government, as adopted IN the Treaty OF
Washington. and whIch our government as well as
Great Britain solemnly bound themselves to bring
to the knowledge OF other maritime Powers, and to
invite them to accede to them, could have no
bearing between Colombia and Spain Nor
was 1t the business OF either our Con-
sui or naval officers to inquire into this
feature OF the case. 1t cannot be
pretended that the act OF the Virgnus, in taking
on board cargo of arms at Colon for the use OF
the Cubans violated any law OF the United States
or any international obligation Of the United
States. III the fitting out OF the Vrginius at Colon
was done in violation either OF the local law or the
law Of nations in the port OF Colon, the wrong done
to SPAN in that respect would not be u wrong
done by the United States, but wrong done by
the Republic Of Colombia. II all she did at Colon
was to take board an invoice OF arms
and munitions Of war as matter OF mer-
chaDdlse for transportation to Cuba, that she
might do subject TO be captured on the high seas
by the Bazan, either because carrying cargo OF
contraband Of war because intending to run
the blockade of the coast OF Cuba. Thus IL would
seem that questions could arise between Spain
and the United States, unless the interference OF
the Consul IN demanding that she should he pro-
tected by the Kansas outside of the port OF Colon
The request of Consul Ihorrlngton was in the same
language addressed by Minister Hurlbut to Com
mander White of the Kansas, when that vessel
protected the Virginius from the threats of the
commander OF the Spanish war vessel Plzarrr0
in April, 1872. On this occasion the commander
of the BaZan, in an Official manner threatened to
neutral port, after her papers had been examined
and found correct She was entitled to the fullest
protection received it only the evidence
required was judged satisfactory. so lar as the
State Department is advised, and both the naval
and Consular correspondence is before it, our gov.
eminent has nothing to regret in what has trans
PRED regarding the departure OF the Virginius
from the port OF Colon.
The details OF the Ian ling OF the cargo of the
Virginius published in the HERALD of this date,
confirming previous reports, is the cause OF great
satisfaction among the friends OF Cuba In Washing
ton. in this connection distinguished dip!o
matst, whose knowledge OF the affairs OF our gov
eminent entities his opinion to much weight has
said in regard to the Virginus affair and the civil
war in Spain, GAN the signs seem to show that
Spain is on the verge OF some great catastrophe
which will settle summary the question of Cuba.''
Senator sumner Cuesarism and Equal
Kights-Thc Herald Commended.
Senator SUMNER leaves on Thursday for Boston,
He Is fully restored to health, and expects to gain
further strength by cessation from all mental labor
until next Winter. lie expresses the greatest
satisfaction at the course pursued by the HERALD
in its development of the subject OF CIsarism in
our government, and has watched with the deepest
interest the responses Of the press to the gallant
lead the HERALD has taken on this subject.
He Is still the recipient OF many evidences
Of regard from the colored people Of
the District, and continues to give them assurances
that he has not abated his zeal Oh their behalf
The question of mixed schools or common schools
as it is called has OF late agtated the colored
voters OF Washington. The sentiment OF the COM
munity is strongly against the movement. but it
has some determined advocates. These, through
their chairman. a few days ago addressed q letter
to Mr.. Sumner congratuating him upon his resto-
ration to health, hoping that he would be strong
and well enough at the opening OF Con-
gress to resume his seat and again to
take up the cause OF equal rights. The
letter alluded to the agitation now going on in
regard to the prosperity of the common school
system at the capital OF the nation. Mr.. Sumner
replied at length to the letter. thanking the colored
people for their kind remembrance and good
wishes. lie expresses satisfaction and approba-
ton that they have taken hold themselves-the
pa rites in interest-and If they are In earnest he
assures them success will crown their efforts. 1t
is no small work on their part to overcome the
stubbornness OF opposition and that Indifference
which comes from dulness and insens
bility to human rights. Their responsibility
was peculiar, for they not only acting
for themselves, but in fact for the whole cOlored
race Of the country. WHAT is done in the District
OF Columbia, II successful, will nave It's correspond
ing results throughout the country, while failure
here would be cause of suffering among the
coored people in all parts Of the Union. He
garded the District as the experimental garden,
the nursery OF the cause OF equal rights and here
emancipation, colored suffrage, the testimony of
coored people in Court the right to ride in street
cars, arst had It's start. He had lived through
all these, and all these reforms had
been successfully carried out. Prominent
had nv "a a,vjf,
Jects for the consequence would be dreadful, war
OF races In spite Of the results the same opposi-
ton was manifested against the common school
system. the reform now proposed would be as
successfully carried out If the colored people were
persistent on this matter the colored people
ought to be q unit. Politicians and lawyers could
always and an excuse, according to desire, but no