New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-19

the REPUBLICAN day or two ago, we pc
lieve that the United States could have
easily acquired any part or portion OF this
continent that was considered desirable
q: any time within the past fifty years. As
we understand the question, the majority
of the people Of this country wish for a
friendly neighbor in Cuba, and to that end
are now ready to make some sacrifices to
aid the inhabitants Of the island in theis
struggle for independence. believing that
such an event as the transference Of the
sovereignty from Spain to the Cubans will
secure the desired object. Or. .: all
events. be a long step in the right
direction. We desire friendly CONNER.
cial and polit;ca! relations with al
the countries whose shores are washed by
the waters of the gulf. Cuba is one Of the
most important Of these. and hence is an
o3jec. of great solicitude. It is the only
spot in the civilized world wherein. african
slavery exists in its most revolving cha,ac-
ter!stics. Even in Brazil. where involun-
tary servitude is exacted in y modified
form. measures have been adopted look
ing to its gradual ez:irpation. There
may have been & time when :. very large
portion of the Southern people favored
TIE idea of Cuban acquisition. Blu: the
motive that was at the bottom OF the de.
sire was the enlargement: OF slave territory
and the control of the sugar interest on
this continent. Our We. destroyed one Of
the prospects in view. and reversed the
feeling in regard to slavery SO tina: our
symrathies in the presen: Cuban struggle
spring from entirely different reasons. and
are shared by az entirely different class Of
ou- citizens. I: is undoubtedly true that
/: majority Of the people Of the United
States desire the success OF the p:esen:
efforts to make Cuba free. leaving the
question Of acquisition for future consid-
Grafton. subordinate 10 the wishes Of the
Cubans themselves.
Our correspondent makes the points in
defense of the capture OF the Virginius:
l. That she was q flibustering vessel
bound on a coniessedly unlawful voyage.
loaded with men and munitions contra
band of war.
2. Tha: she was sighted on the Ugh
seas approaching the Cuban coast with
boldly avowed unlawful attempt. and there
fore liable to be captured by the Spanish
war vessel.
3. That she was making IN unlawful
use Of the American flag, that is. sailing
under false colors.
To the first proposition it may be re-
piled that the tiHbustering character OF
the NirGinius is matter rather of con-
lecture and suspicion than proof. The
fact that she was approaching Cuba IS not
very strong presumptive evidence that it
was her purpose to touch, and especially
TO land any cargo or men in violation Of !
Spanish law. At any rate it would have
been proper for the Tornado to follow her !
up and watch her. SO that in case any IL !
legal act Of any kind were committed by |
the captain Of the chase. he could he taken |
in 'jHJrG,te de';c!u. The capture was
made by the corvette on the alleged sls-
pic.on Of All intent a. some future time 10 !!
violate the laws Of Spain. IN ;n:ea: to |
comni: q crime must frs: be proved, and !
Is not punishable with the same severity
rs the actual commission. and tie Viz
yinius was found in place where she
,oHla not possibly DO anything to bring
aer in conflict with the laws g: the nation
whose :esse! Interfere! with her. AS !
spain is not confessedly at war. as We
ave received no notice OF a blockade of |
my OF the Cuban ports. nothing she
,ouid have on board can De prop
eliy considered contrabard Of war. |
Spain claims to exercise full jurisdiction |
over Ill the island Of Cuba, and under |
his theory Was amply aiie to enforce her
revenue laws by her municipal forces.
1.-The sea is the highway Of nations"
says our correspondent, and he sets up |
Ihe right Of :. nation to sink a suspicious
slip on this highway. IS well as for him.
self 20 shoot Il burglar on the streets upon |
tie bare suspicion in each case Of an IN !
'e,! to coinmI: crime. We admit ,he re is |
rs much RICH: in the one case as the
other: but neither proposition vii! hold |
good. The law does no: authorize any
private citizen to take tie lie of another |
under any conceivable circumstances. and
Il our correspondent were to pat his the.
o.y into practice. and shoot and kill a
burglar in the street whom he saw COM
ing toward his house. he would be liable
10 be tried for murder, and hanged. The
burglar would have just as good a right
to shoot him, and then Sc: up the fashion
able New Orleans plea tha. he considered
his life in danger, and SO escape through
the sympathies Of 3 jury. The law ex-
cuses homicide in some eases. and justi-
ies il il others. If sheriff or a soldier
kills man in pursuance of lawful
orders. the &C: is Unsuitable homi-
eide: bu: it is no. done by private
persons. I: man Kills another in de-
Tense Of lis own life when there IS no
other mode Of escape. or under the inhu-
encc o. passion. causeI ;5y Ia" :nt.ic.
ton OF :. great wrong 'r Insult. and he.
fore there is reasonable time for .et.ec-
ton. then the &C. IS called e1c,s.. able
homicide. The Virginius. when captured.
by the Tornado. had done no wrong what.
ever. Whatever the intentions OF those
ON hoard of her may iay. II. e,, they did