Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-20
Tuy IMPENDING WAR.

TIE IMPENDING WAR.
The browning infamy yet perpetrated
in Cuba is published this morning The
Spanish volunteers At Santiago, on hear
ing of the capture Of the virginius, gave
vent to their fendish delight and pas
sions by visiting aud outraging the
widows of the Masons shot in 1868.
Four of the women we're killed, seven
have since died, and several are in
critical condition, not expected to live.
Well may the civilized world stand
aghast, and the question be asked, Do
we live in the age Of the Duke dc AlvaY
Can tue Government hesitate to take
vigorous measures to avenge and repress
such crimes against humanity? Our com
mon nature shudders at such atrocities,
and sense of justice in every man s
heart demands that summary re,ribu-
ton shall be visited upon the sayages
who know and defy alike the laws Of
God and man. 1t is evident that the
home government Of Spain does not
control the volunteers on the Island, and
that when the crisis comes it is with the
latter that We will have TO deal. War at
any time is a costly and terrible rem
edy for any wrong; il is always to De
avoided as long as consistent with the
rights and honor OF nation. But IN
this issue with the Spanish. Cuban Gov
eminent there is principle involving
our self respect, the safety Of our oiti-
zens abroad and the rights of OPP
pressed neighbors at stake, which
rises far superior to any other
consideration. A barbarism is perpe-
tra,ed near our shores that would have
dissraced the reign o. Philip II. IL
comes down from the dark ages unmitl-
gated and pitiless. Its tyranny has not
been softened by the mild influences OF
Christianity, or been modified to meet
any az the essential requirements OF civ
ilization. These last crimes are so no
torious that, being against the American
flag and people, we must act or be de-
graded at home and abroad and the fact
advertised to all mankind that the Gov
eminent of the United States is power
full only at home, and is capable Of pun
ishing none but its ,own oitizens. We
would hope that honor and Justice might |
be yindicated without a resort to blood |
shed or a demonstration in force, but
we have to deal with ssEassins, who are
as insolent and reckless as they are I'M
scrupulous. an apology from the Span
ish government is a mockery, and 1t
would no more prevent future outrages
against American citizens than the
pleedings of the women who were vio-
ated by the british volunteers at San
.iago. 1t has been alleged that only
The press of the country is agtating this
question, and few of the papers treat
.he subject with levity. but we observe
hat they are the identical journals
loted for bowling loudest at q pretended
Ku-Klux outrage, which will satisfy the
public in regard to their sincerity. The
iacts are enough in their bare state
nent to arouse the people, OF whom the
press is merely the exponent. Large
meetings held in various cities have
Asen presided over and addressed by the
,blSst and most conservative men of the
country, aud but one expression has gone
'orth, and that calls for armed interview
lion in Cuban affairs. II Congress de-
sires to send an army TO Cuba It would
be an easy matter to raise lOO,0 600 yolun-
teers, two.tbirds of Esem veterans from
the Union and Confederate armies, in
ten days. The total force Of the regular
army scattered over Cuba numbers
about 10000. The volunteers may num-
Der as many more. but they are the
home guards who do the butchery, and
not any fighting in the field The
islend could be taken before midwinier,
the spaniards driven of forever. aid
the Republic of Cuba recognized
az such before spring There is
probability that Great Britain will act
with our Government IN settling this
question, as her Government is inter
ested in doing 50. that Cuba may not
fall AXE ripe orange into ons lap. !
This would be better, a. the two Govern
menis could shord mutual and joint
proteetorate, with proper guarantees.
over the Republic of Cuba, and leave
the people Of the Island 70 develop their
own strapgth, capacity and preferences.
In the course Of time many Americans
would settle in Cuba; the English Ian
guage would become known 20 some ex-
rent aud the people might eventually |
apply for admission 20 the Union with /
their rich soil. delighted climate varied
productions, ioriy-tvo fhousand square
miles and q million and half people.
TIE renort Of the Comptroller o. The !
Cnrrency viii. il is said, contain no sug- |
usstions looking toward free banking |
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