Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-15
DEFEND THE FLAG.

One of the best features in the British
government is the promptness with which
it defends its flag and protects the lives
and interests of its citizens in other coun-
tries. No insult TO its flag is allowed to
pass unquestioned, nor any injury permit
ted to go by without ample PREPARATION.
The humblest British subject in foreign
country who is oppressed or in any way
deprived Of the rights and privileges that
he should have, has only to make his APP
peal to the home government in order to
bring to his relief all the power necessary
to protect his person or remove the wrongs
of which he has reason to complain. No
distance is So great that the appeal OF a
British subject to his government will not
be heard and answered Neither the hea,
of the torrid zone nor the eternal ice o.
the polar 2gions can separate him from
the care of his country. The most pow
erful of nations must answer for abuses
and wrongs to al Englshman. and semi
barbarous and barbarous people have been
taught wholesome respect for those
whose national symbol is the cross of St
George. Whatever faults we may find in
the British government we must respect il
for the characteristic which we have men.
toned. 1t is the chief cause of that love
with which the British regard their flag
In every land they hail it with pride
when it is menaced they rally around it
and defend it with life and property, be-
cause under its folds they are protected
everywhere 1t is a source of national
union and strength worthy to be initiated
by all nations. In the Roman empire the
same characteristic prevailed. so that it
was not an idle saying that -" be a Ro-
man citizen was greater than :; king"
The case of the Virginius and her crew
is now demanding the serious attention OF
our government. The vessel was sailing
under the flag of tho United States wher
she was captured. Many of the person;
taken upon her and brutally executed
were American citizens. Because sht
bore our flag and the prisoners taken ant
put to death were American citizens it de
wolves upon our government to investi
gate fully the facts, and if it be found tina
the vessel Or her crew had a legitimat,
claim upon our government for protec
ton, then the most ample satisfaction and
redress must be demanded and enforced
if necessary. 1t may be that the vessel
only raised our flag to cover Legitimate
proceedings, and that the prisoners had
outlawed themselves by enlisting in law
less enterprise. but no matter for that, the
government is bound to believe the flag
and those who claim its protection are lie.
gally entitled to it until sufficient evidence
is presented to show that they were not
The facts in the case are not yet clearly
known. The authorities at Washington
have taken steps to learn the truth. W.
have no doubt that the most searching ex
animation possible will .be made. and the
rights of our government fully sustained
SO that every citizen may feel he has .
government entitled to his respect Blu
the government must have time. 1t mus
not act with rashness. To proclaim wal
upon rumors and assertions would be folly
and weakness. Some of the opposition
would have the President send force to
Cuba at once and take possession of the
island, not knowing whether as yet he has
any cause for provocation or resort to
force. This would bring upon the gov
eminent the contempt of its own citizens
1t would be as dishonorable as to fail to
exact satisfaction after the right was fair
ly established. Let us first know that we
have claim for redress, and then fail not
to exact reparation with all the force need
full to accomplish it. What the national
honor demands that we do to keep the flag
untarnished and preserve the rights of
American citizenship from foreign out
rage, that let us do as generously as Rome
ever protected her citizens, or as widely
and faithfully as Great Britain protects
hers. The American people will sustain
government that they know will pro-
tect the meanest of them wherever they
may be. Blood and treasure will be
poured .out freely for this purpose if need
be. That we have such a government
while President Grant is at the head of
the administration we firmly believe, but
we do not believe he is going to make war
upon Cuba to please any faction in this
country, or for any other than the best rea-
sons.