Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-11-28
Ex-Prosident Woolsey on the Virgin.
ius Case.

ius Case.
The venerable gentleman express
ed his willingness to converse upon
the matter, and evidently had taken
considerable interest in 1t. Upon
being asked whether he thought
that there was cause for the United
States to declare war against Spain,
he said, emphatically, no. If he
understood the matter, there was
not the slightest ground for war,
and he then went on to say that he
was to some extent ignorant OF the
true situation, or, at least, knew on
ly what had been published in the
public press about it. Assuming
that this was in the main true, the
Spanish authorities have done what
they had, according to the laws of
the nation, a perfect right to do, in
capturing the Virginius. If the
capture was made in accordance
with Spanish laws, if the men were
tried and executed in accordance
with Spanish laws, and if the Vir-
ginius, though sailing under the
United States flag, was nevertheless
endeavoring to render aid to the in
surgcnts, was in short engaged in
traffic prohibited by the law of the
nations, then the United States gov
eminent cannot make the TRANSACTION
any ground for war or in fact of
complaint.
There is another point, too, that
must be considered. 1t is stated
that the Virginius was captured in
English waters, that is, within three
leagues Of the island Of Jamaica.
Now, if this is SO, then the English
government can protest and remon.
strate with Spain, not the United
States. The United States may re-
quest England to take cognizance of
the transaction, but England must
be the first to take such steps actu-
ally, and may or may not do
it, as she chooses. If England pre-
fers to do nothing about it, the Uni
ted States cannot take any steps.
This is simple matter of intcrna-
tional law, which the United States,
with England and Spain, is govern
ed by. Now, it has been stated
that Mr.. Fish claims that the arrest
was illegal because made on the
high sea, and not while the vessel
was entering some harbor; but, said
the ex-President, if Mr.. Fish takes
this ground it will be inconsistent.
if his president Woolsey's) mem
DRY served him right, with the pre-
cedent established by the United
States during the civil war, because
our vessels captured on the high
seas neutral vessels, even before
they entered the port of Nassau.
Moreover, there is another point.
Our government cannot declare war
now, for Congress is not in session.
The President can only recognize
an existing state Of war when we
are invaded. Congress must de-
clare a war with another nation.
Now, there is still another point.
That is the recognition of state of
belligerency iii the island of Cuba;
but this has nothing to do with the
Virginius case. Belligerency could
be acknowledged at any time, and
will not help this case in any way.
Nor can this case in any manner
whatever be made the pretext for
acknowledging bclligcrency.
If the Virginius, sailing under
the United States flag, was engaged
in lawful undertaking, the case is
very different, and Congress can
then take such steps as it sees fit.
1t can demonstrate, and if that does
no good, can declare war, but, at
least as far as present dispatches
show, the Virginius was clearly on
fllibustering expedition, and as
such appears to be the case, nothing
has been done contrary to the law
OF nations, at least so far as the
United States is concerned.
President Woolscy then said that
the whole matter looked to him as
though it would settle down to a
question Of the inhumanity Of the
transaction. If the Spanish laws
permit the killing OF SO many per-
sons, there was an inhumanity about
such laws, such as to call for the
remonstrancc, not only of the Uni
ted States. but Of every civilized
nation. Our government can pro-
test with Spain in the cause of hu.
manity against such proceedings,
and could if the Vlrginius had sail
ed under any other flag. If Spain
admits its weakness and inability
to control its colony, then there
would be time to take such a con-
tingcncy into consultation. Proven
that the Virginius was engaged in
illicit business, was going to Cuba
to benefit the insurgents, so far rs
that single transaction is concerned
the United States has not the slight
est ground for war or complaint,
except as to the inhumanity of the
affair.
WE see by the Dubuque Herald
that the Board Of Supervisors of
Jackson county have arrived at a
settlement with Bryant, the default.
ing Treasurer. At an extra session
of the Board, Bryant was invited to
vacatc the Office, and was allowed
the privilege oftendering his resig-
nation, which he did, and Judge
Donelly, Treasurer elect, was ap.
pointed to his place. In the com
promise which the Board effected
with Bryant's securities, the latter
secured 100000 to the county in
first mortgages on real estate, and
have been released from further H.
ability in the matter. But Bryant
is still held liable, and is regarded
rs fallen man in character and fl
nances. All his property, to the
very last dollars worth is in the
hands of his surcties, who are to
pay cash installncnt Of Sl2, 900 on