Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-19


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The Cuban Massacre.
The latest news is that the Cuban au.
thorities have completed their bloody work
by shooting, to the last man the passengers,
officers and sailors who were on board the
" virenius" As to the Spanish or Cuban
passengers, who went out to engage in the
contest in that island, little sympathy is de-
served, or can be felt, save so far as we
sympathize in the cause in which they we're
engaged. These men challenged the for
tunes Of war, and they have NETT is said
bravely met---tho saddest of them. But
for the American citizens, who we're the
officers and men Of an American ship, we
cannot admit even that mournful consola.
ton. That they were not pirates deserv-
ing Of death by the universal law Of civilized
nations, is evident from the fact that they
made no resistance when overhauled by the
Spanish ship Of war. They we're then, at
the utmost guilty only Of violating the
neutrality acts Of the United States and the
obligation to observe neutrality recognized
by the civilized nations Of the world for
which the penalty is not death The Cuban
authorities, therefore, had no legal or moral
right to put them to death; they are so
far, murderers and the universal indigna-
ton of the government and people Of this
country is amply justified by their inhuman
crime.
l'ut what ought or can be done2 There
is no possible remedy, because the lives Of
murdered men cannot be restored Spain
can apologize for the crime it can punish
its agents who have committed it, and it
ought to give ample security for the future
against a repetition Of the outrage. The
truth ought not to be disguised, however,
that it will be a very delicate and perhaps
an impossible thing for the government Of
Spain to do what it undoubtedly desires to
do-that is, give all possible satisfaction to
the United States The government oil
Spain is Republican, and as such has the
sympathy of the United States But il
holds its tenure by hair; an offense tC
Spanish pride may be enough to destroy the
, Republic and restore the royal government
J Ought our own government, or our owr
citizens, urge this affair to the sacrifice o
free government in Spain7 This question
has undoubtedly embarrassed Presiden
4 Grant, and we think must embarrass every
! true friend Of freedom the world over.
e Is easy to clamor for revenge, or to fnt
fault with the administration, and the hop
Of Winning little more strength to tn
opposing party is a temptation that has no
D been and will not be resisted So much tn
y more need then is there for all Just an
prudent men to reserve their opinions, an
y wait for all the facts in the case and a car
consideration of all the difficulties it pre-
sents The latest report from Washington i
that President Grant insists that either Spail
D shall enforce her DEGREES against such act
upon its agents in Cuba, or that the United
D States will do it; and that Spain has beel
e required to give its decision by the 9th inst
4 Although the Navy Department is activel
!. engaged in preparing its iron-clad ships an
1t monitors for active service, it is not to b
inferred that war is to be declared in Gel
:, tain contingency on thanksgiviDg-day. Thu
!, is not good day for " talking turkey" bu
|. rather for eating it. The President ca
g prepare the navy for possible need in Ii
1t future, but Congress only can declare wa
This reported demand of the Presidel
= :, upon Spain, or demand for any action !
q Spain at or before that date, can only
i in reference to his message to Congress,
IN the end that he may recommend such a
ie ton as the occasion shall in his judgmeI
demand.
:, The general opinion of the London new
d papers to the 18th is represented to be thu
is Cuba is lost to Spain On the morning
|. that day the Spanish loan dropped to i
d lowest figures in the stock market tt
London Times suggests that the indepeu'
, encc of Cuba should be recognized joint
" by Great Britain and the United State
is In that case Spain will find war hopele
81 undertaking. Another suggestion is tn
"a the United States should seize and hold Il
N island. That may not be peaceful or
easy task unless Spain shall consent. |
h. we want Cuba ?
i'd With the panic came apopular demar