Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-16
Will. WE HAVE wAR WITH SPAIN,

WILL WE HAVE WAR WITH SPAIN?
These indiscriminate massacres by
the hecatomb in Cuba are becoming
horribly monotonous. Yesterday
brought intelligence by way of Glen
fuegos that fifty-seven more of the Vir-
ginius captives were shot ON the 10th
inst, and the mornings telegraph viii
doubtless bring another batch. 1t
would seem that our pleasure seeking
but withal phlegmatic administration
has become aware that it is expected to
do something; what that something
viii be, it does not seem to know. There
is sudden display of energy mixed
with mystery at the various navy yards.
A 1.-THE of this energy, exercised years
ago, would have averted not only the
Virginius outrage, but many another
which has occurred in Cuba during
the past five years. 1t is notorious
that In numerous instances
the rights of person and
property of American citizens,
in no way connected with the insurrec-
ton, have been grossly violated, and
the repeated circumstances of our gov
eminent have elicitednothing but empty
promises made only to be broken. The
supineness of Grants administration
has been criminal, and its present pro-
misses Of a more vigorous policy come
rather late to benefit the slaughtered
victims of Spanish sayagery. The mis-
cradle impotency of the Madrid repub-
lie to control the dominant party in
Cuba, is no new development in diplo-
matte circles. All the facts about the
Cuban situation known to-day, were
known years ago, and ought to have
been acted upon. Many think the tar
dy vigor of our government may lead
to war. Several cities, South
as well as North, have
already manifested some ebul-
itions of war feeling, and more
such demonstrations Will follow. In
olden times it was the custom to accuse
the South Of coveting the annexation
of Cuba, for the extension of slavery.
AT present the Southern people would
rather desire its independence. From
Alaska to Florida, the United States
are already large enough and diverse
enough for all purposes, without en-
deavoring to absorb new and ipcom-
patible elements. The experiment of
universal suffrage among uneducated
freedmen already covers enough sur
face, without extending it to the diaper
ed blacks and coolies of Cuba. TIE
present administration might take a
different view of annexation, if the
prize were within It's grasp. European
government, have a habit Of settling
such questions by a cold-blooded calcu-
lation of the revenues that can be
squeezed out of a given territory.
Grants Administration, with its
centralizing tendencies and increas-
ing expenditures, in the face
of decreasing revenues, may be
sorely tempted. But direct war with
Spain is not likely. The CASTELAR, cabal
at Madrid will make all apologies and
all reparatlon demanded. Even should
the United States demand the summary
trial and execution of the chef authors
Of the recent massacres, we may antici-
pate an earnest effort, at least, to COM
ply. The loss Of the Island would be a
death-blow to the republic in Southern
Spain, for all the different parties OF
that country (outside of Biscay, per-
haps,) are a unit for retaining this last
remnant Of ancient glolies, the gem Of
the Antilles. A war between New
Spain and the old Spanish element il
Cuba is, therefore, less unlikely than a
war between either Spain or Cuba and
This country