The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-12
SHALL WE HASTILY INTER
EEESEl


The capture of the Nirginius presents
too many and too grave questions to be as
fippantly discussed and disposed of as
seems fashionable among certain class of
newspapers at the present day. We pre-
sumo that no one will be found who will
justify the summary execution Of certain
persons captured with the vessel, even if
they, or some of them, were "roughs' or
"cut-throats" of the worst kind, or, even,
If it should appear that the capture of the
vessel was legitimate and the destruction
of human life in accordance with the forms
of law. We take it that the American
people do not desire war with Spain, even
if it should result in the freedom of the
"Gem of the Antilles" We are equally sure
that the governing class in Spain, or any
of her intelligent citizens, do not desire
war with the United States, unless it may
be on the part of some who may think that
a revolution and ovcrturn may be produced
thereby. Those lives cannot be recalled,
whether the Spanish authorities were right
or wrong, any more than can the lives of
the ''grey-cyed man of destiny" and his as
socates and fellow sufferers. A spasm of
righteous Indignation passes through the
press on account Of the summary ven
geance wreaked by the Spanish or Cuban
military authorities on their captivcs, and
it is not strange that it does. We share in
this indignation, but do not propose to al
low ourself to be carried away thereby, or
to be hurried into idle denunciations and
insane demands. We should like, above
all things, to see every state, country and
island blessed with the same free institu-
tons that we enjoy. We desire the full
and perfect independence of Cuba. as much
and as heartily as can any one, but we can
not forget the advice of the Father of his
Country" to beware of excessive partially
=" for one foreign nation, and an excessive
dislike of another" and his warning us
against ''the mischief of foreign intrigues"
and 'to guard against pretended patriot
ISM" What is this cutlery, as the whole
subject is now UNDERSTOOD but an cndcavor
to show forth pretended patriotism,
and fan into consuming flame the spark
OF IAN excessive dislike" of Spain? A
government, he tells US, often adopts,
through passion, what reason would re-
"ject f; at other times it makes the animos-
"ity of the nation subservient to projects
"of hostility, instgated by PRIDE ambt-
sion, and other sinister and pernicious mo-
" tives." And, moreover, above all things,
he enjoned a perfect neutrality in refer
ence to ''entanglements" between foreign
nations, or between one nation and its so,
called dependencies
If we depart from the strict rules of this
neutrality in any way we ought to hope
that Spain will be able to Justify her
course by the strict letterof the law. Spain,
one OF the most oppressed and long suffer-
| ing OF nations upon the face of the earth,
is struggling for free institutions. With
| Castilian pride, she dislikes to part with
any Of her possessions and with her expe-
rlence Of centuries, she treats the Cubans,
deemed rebels, as her despotic government
did before them, Republican Spain has
not, as yet, been educated up to the point
OF mercy and humanity, but we trust it
Will come in due time. While condemning
the atrocity, let us remember if we can.
that their education is notours. While rep
ROTATING seeming or real departure from
the rules of civilized warfare, let us remcm-
Der that these Spaniards are following the
example set before them by our southern
fellow citizens only short time ago, If
the Spaniards think, honestly believe, that
'hey are lighting for God, their country
anu tlie rlght,-or even, if they do not
nave their atrocities, thus far, exceeded or.
even equallcd the horrors of Andersonvillc
OF Belle Isle, or of the other numerous
prison pens OF the south A large num-
Der OF the residents of the lately rebellious
states, as well as many in the north. claim
and honestly believe that the hanging of
Mumford was cold blooded, unnecessary
murder, not justified by the laws of war.
the usages of civilized nations, or the laws
OF the land. Aside from this, there are
grave international questions involved in
this issue. The law officer of the govern.
ment has not, as yet, decided what are the
rights OF Spain, under the treaty of 1905
conceding the right of search, under Ger
'ain circumstances-wbich has never been
abrogated. The government is not vet in
possession of all the facts of the case and
Will not, of course, act until it is fully in
formed. The press and the people, also,