Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-11-24
THE SPANISH WAR CLOUD.

ture of the Virginius, and the subse-
quent murder of all but eighteen of the
persons taken, is undated, and through
out the whole country indignation has
risen so high, that an army could be en-
listed in day to punish the country,
and the persons that permitted aud exc
cuted the most atrocious deed of modern
times. Not only are the people aroused,
but government is putting the navy in
readiness to do effective work, should
war grow out of the difficulty, and vol
unteers are offering their service for both
the navy and army. From the most re-
liable information that can be obtained,
it appears that the Virginius was for
merly vessel used by the rebels of the
south, during the late war, and has been
engaged as blockade runner Of late
landing passengers, recruits, munitions
of war and rebel generals. at such points
on the coast of Cuba, as could be gained
without the interference of the Spanish
gun boats. At the time of her capture,
there were several prominent Cubans on
board, who were or had been generals,
in the patriot or rebel army of the is
land. There were other Cuban citizens,
few American and British subjects,
beside the captain and crew Of the ves-
sci. The papers held by the vessel were
from the United States, and she carried
our flag, so that as far as these things
went she was our vessel, and entitled to
our protection but there are other
things that enter into the matter, and
make it appear that the Spaniards had
right to seize the ship and punish the
crew. We are not at war with Spain,
and have never accorded belligerent
rights to the rebels of Cuba, hence it is
as much our duty to prevent the fitting
out of war vessel or any other expedi-
ton, great or small, upon our shores
that should have for its object the bene-
fit of the rebels of Cuba, as it was the
duty of Great Britain to prevent the fit
ting out and the escape of the Alabama.
1t will probably appear that this was
not the first time the vessel had visited
the shores of the island on similar mis-
sions, and that she has been owned in
other countries, and has foated their
flags since she has been in this block.
ade-running business. But we complain
of, and humanity has a right to protest
against, the wicked and terrible punish.
ment that has been visited upon the un.
fortunate victims of this enterprise. The
deliberate shooting, and the mutilation
man beings, is deed that will be class
ed with the Black Hole of Calcutta, anC
the murder of Union prisoners by neg
lect and starvation at the South during
our rebellion. At present there is mucl
uncertainty as to what will be done il
the matter. The exact status of the Vir
ginius is unknown what the govern
ment of Spain will do or can do is un
certain war cannot be entered into b
our government, only by the sanction Q
congress, which has not yet assembled
and a variety of complications exis
which make it difficult to foresee the enc
The dignity and the rights of the natio
should be maintained, and its citizen
protected in all lawful enterprises br
war, while it might vindicate our homo
and display our prowess, would cause l
and the world much sorrow While "
avenged the slaughter of the few alread
dead, we should take the lives of hunC
reds and perhaps thousands Of innocel
persons, and carry desolation into man
families. Looking at it in a pecunia1
light, nothing could be more foolish tina
to precipitate war, when other redre
may possibly be had. We are stagge
ing under great financial difficulty
business is impaired our credits a
injured and should we add to this, Il
expense of war, however small, the c
feet upon the country would be disa
trous. We have great sympathy for Il
struggling patriots of Cuba, and won
be pleased to assist them in their attem
to overthrow the blood-thirsty, slav
holding aristocrats, that would Ike,
them in subsection and bondage, but
it be done in that way which shall eau
less harm than would be done by W
with Spain and the United States. {
the other hand, the new Spanish repu
lie should it be able to maintain itse
promises great good to an ignorant al
a priest-ridden nation. The emine
head of this nation, CASTELAR,, is one
our best friends, and one of the most OF
spoken and efficient moral reformers
the age. If we bring him to grief
any humiliating demands that we eau
him to grant, we produce his overthr,
at home, and Spain goes into the pow
of Don Carlos or other aspiring princ'
The Spanish government will be just,
doubt, and accede to reasonable demand
but unfortunately it does not contr
with any firm authority, the power
Cuba that has caused theis loss Of Ii
The volunteer army and nearly all
leading spirits of the island, are in sy