National Republican., 1873-11-29
Is 1T PRACES


Unless something untoward, md perhaps |
not improbable, occurs within few days, |
the forthcoming message Of the President to
Congress will contain an assurance that the
difficulties which have arisen between Spain
dnd the United States regarding the Virgin
ius case have been amicably settled so far as
they can be settled by diplomacy. Congress
and the public will then be enabled to judge
how scdulously and efficiently the honor of
the Government has been maintained. The
negotiations have been tedious, and have
been attended at times with critical contln-
gencics threatening the most serious results.
War has been imminent and the terms OF
the correspondence have sometimes bordercd
upon stern demands for most earnest meas |
urcs. AZ no time has Our Government
failed to assert the open violation
of law by Spain in the seizure
Of the virginius on tho high seas or to main
tain that assertion despite the suspicious
which have surrounded the character Of the
vessel. The case, so far as that character
was concerned was purely prima Jacie, and
the equities thereof were not allowed to
enter into the controversy. The assumption
being granted that she was primd fdoie an
American vessel, valid grounds for demand
for rcparation became apparent. Then fol-
lowed discussion regarding the terms Of that
demand.
The atonement for the insult to our flag
was the subject Of grave consideration. How
far justice should be tempered by mercy for
the condition Of tho CASTELAR, government,
and how far the remembrance Of past wrongs
which we have suffered at the hands
OF the Spanlards as people should be al
lowed TO influence the tenor of that atone
mcnt, wcrc questions always present.
Above all, the inhuman butchery of the
Santiago slaughter prompted an impulse
10 demand the most extreme ven-
geacc against the blood-thirsty Burriel
and his savage associates. Precedents
were consulted, somcwhatto the damage per-
haps Of the public desire that Burricl should
be handed ever for punishment, because 1t
was found that when an American naval
officer bombarded Grcytown, In violation Of
law, the United States Government insisted
upon Its authority to try and punish Its own
citizens under Its own laws. Then II became
apparent that Spain could demand consist
entity the right to punish Durricl in her own
way.
q general way the terms Of tho concessions
to be made by Spain. II they prove accept
able to the people the Administration will re-
cciyc the credit which Is due to it. 1t is
morally certain, however, that many will be
disappointed because they are not so COM
prchensivc as to include the Independence Of
the Cuban republic, the annexation Of the
island, or revengcful punishment Of the
Santiago butchers. These were the cries of
the excited people when the news OF the out
rage and massacre was FIRST received. They
were tho impulslye response Of the nation
to tho thrilling and sickenlng sensation Of
horror and disgust when the details
Of the murders were learned. Sut
we do not hesitate TO declare our belief
that the overwhelming majority of the Amer
lean people will accept the humillating spec
tacle Of the restoration of the American flag
10 the Nirginius, the return of the vessel,
with salutes from Spanish men-of-war, to the
United States, and the release Of the remain
der OF The unfortunate crew, as sufficient,
Remembering, rs we must, the naughty pride
Of the Spanish dons, their boastful nature,
and their impetuous blood, we cannot fail to
admit that they have yielded full atonemcnt
character Of the virginius, and the obvious
object OF her voyage, the humiliation is
dOublcd.
We cannot say too much in praise Of the
honest and straightforward craftsmanship of
President CASTELAR, and his Cabinet. Fear
less Of results which may plunge them into
bloody contest both at home and In the colo
nies OF Spain, they have not faltcred In their
efforts to serve the evident demands OF jus
ticc. In the face OF influences which threaten
not only their lives but the existence Of the
Government which they love better than life
itself, they have dared to declare that the
young republic Of Spain shall yield honest
rcparation for the wrongs committed by her
agents.
Let us hope hat they will be able now to
fulfill all their promises, and that notwith-
standing the possible rebellion Of the Volun-
teers on the island Of Cuba, their devotion to
the cause Of liberty and justice will yet be
rewarded by the establishment Of republican
principles in Spain on firm and lasting
Lasis