Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-12-10

SPAIN INnCURA.

rres.. | Transmitted to the American
Minister At Madrid, wiih Instructions 10
present il 10 the Spari-h Government, the
JOINT resolution spp:O~ed on the % OF
March Last. ieudering 10 the people Of
Spain, in the Hsme ssd on the behalf OF
the American people, the congratulations
! Of Congress upon the efforts TO eoHsoii-
date in s. ain the principles OF universal
/ liberty in a republican form Of govern
meut The existence Of this new Repub-
I lie was inauguraied by striking the letters
from the slaves Of Porto Rico. This
bepehcient measure was followed by the
release or several thousand persons ille-
gally held as slaves IA Cuba. Next 'he
CAPTAIN General Of that colony was de-
prived of the power to set aside the or
ders of his superiOrs at Madrid. which
had periained to the Office since 1870.
The esqucstered estates Of American eiti-
zens. which had been the cause Of long
and frequent correspondence, were order-
cd TO be restored to their owners. All
these liberal steps we're taken IN the face
of violent opposition, directed by the re-
ac,iUlary Shareholders Of Havana, who
are vainly striving to stay the march Of
IDEAS which mas terminated slavery in
Christeudom-Cuba snly excepted. Un-
happily, however, this baneful influence
has thus far succeeded in defeating the
efforts of all liberal.minded men ia Spain
TO abolish slavery in Cuba, aud in prevent
ing the promised reform in that island.
The struggle for political su premacy con-
tiRues, the pro-slayery and srisiscrhiic
party in Cuba is generally arraignng it.
self iu more aud more open hospitality
and defiance Of the Home Government,
while it sill maintains a political connec'
ton with the Republic IN the Peninsula.
aud although usurpiug and defyins the
authority Of the Hsne Government, when
ever such nsurpaiion or defiance tends IN
the direction Of oppression, or OF the
maintenance Of abuses, it is still power
10 Madrid, and rcoreanized by the Gov
eminent. Thus an element more danger
GUS to continue coeni al relations between
Cuba and Spain shan tina, whi;h Inspired
the instruction at Yara. an element OPP
posed TO granting any relief FROM mis-
rule aud abuse, with no aspirations after
freedom, commanding no sympathies in
generous breasts, aiming TO Iiyet still
stronger the shacklcs Of slavery aud op-
preston, has seized many of the emblcms
of power in Cuba, aud under professions
of loyalty to the mother country, is ex-
hausting the resources Of the island, and
is doing acts which are at variance with
those principles Of justice, Of libcralty,
OF civilization ard of progress, it is to be
hoped that this evil influence may be seen
and avcr,cd
THE vIRGINIUs CASE
The steamer Virginlus was, on tie Goth
day of September, 1870, duly registered
at the port of New York as part of the
commercial marine Of the United States.
On the 4th Of October, 1870, having re.
,eived the certificate of her register in the
usual legal form, she sailed frcm the port
of New York, and has not since been
within the territorial jurisdiction Of the
United States. On the Dist day Of Octs-
her last, while sailing under the flag OF
the United States, on the high seas, she
was foreibly seized by the Spanish gun
boat Tornado. and was carried to the port
of Santiago de Cuba, where many Of Acr
passengers and crew we've inhumanly, and,
50 far at least as relates TO those who were
citizens of the United States, were without
due process Of law put to death. 1t is "a
wel-establishcd principle, asserted by The
United States from the beginning Of their
national independence, recognized by Great
Britain aud other maritime powers, and
stated by the Senate in resolution passed
unanimously on the 10th of June, 1858,
that American vessels on the high seas in
time Of peace, bearing the American flag.
remain under the jurisdiction OF the couu.
try 10 which they belong, aud therefore
any visitation, niolestation, or detention CT
such vessel by force, or by the exhibition
Of force, on the part of a foreign power is
in derogation of the sovereignty of the
1 United States. La accordance with this
principle the restoration of the Virginius
and the surrender Of the survivors Of her
passengers auu crew. auu uue repara-
tion TO the flag, and the punishment Of the
authorities who had been guilty of the
illegal acts Of violence were demanded
Tho Spanish Government has recognized
the justice of the demand. and has ar.
ranged for the immediate delivery Of the
vessel and for the surrender Of the sur.
vivors of the passengers and crew, aud