New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-26
PRESACES or PEACE.

The Administration certainly deserves the
credit of having so inspired the Washington
minors with the breath of contradiction that
they have ceased to exercise any influence
upon public opinion. A general impression
has gone abroad that a peaceful and hon
orable settlement of the Virginius affair is
probable, and this has unquestionably exer-
cised for the time being wholesome influence
upon the public mind. The professional
orators find their occupation almost gone
The passionate clamOr for immediate war
which met With some echo last week has died
away like sound in a vacuum. The extracts
which we have published show that the sentl-
ments of the leading journals of the country tend
decidedly IN the direction of moderate and
reasonable measures, which, while indicating
all our rights, shall keep within the pale OF
law and equity and suhserve our interests no
less than our honor. Unless the situation sud
denly changes for the worse, when Congress
comes together, it's deliberations will not be
embarrassed by any outside pressure, and the
members and Senators will not be influenced
Inv any considerations based on the loss or gain
of popularity in deciding the questions which
NAV come before them upon their merits.
We need not repeat that we have never yet
seen how the Administration is to accomplish
this most desirable contamination. Ii 1t is done,
if we obtain the satisfaction of our just de-
mands from Spain without war or the occupa-
ton of Cuba, the Administration Will have
achieved a great and legitimate success, and
one upon which we can as heartily cOngratu-
late Spain as the United States. We take 1t
for granted that our Government has de-
manded full reparation for the insult to our
flag. The cloud of duss which has been
raised about the legal status of the Fir-
ginius does not. hide or obscure this conclu-
sive fact, that she was an Amer
lean vessel, sailing under our Tag. regu-
larly cleared by the American Consulate
at Kingston, with her papers III order. The
Spaniards had no right to board and search
her; no right, having done that, to capture
her; no right, having captured her. to
take her into Spanish port. 1t results
from this that they had still less right, by any
so-calIed process of court martial, to shoot
any of her passengers or crew, OF whatever
nationality. But the wrong went farther yet.
They shot American citizens, illegally captured,
without notifying our Consular authorities, as
tflbY were ny OIChtJ tO"PbhNH w W.
and even rudely and insultingy defied
the protest of our Vice-Consub and
refused his request to sec the prls-
oners. We have no reason to doubt that
our Government has presented this case with
all the energy it requires to the Government
of Spain, and has demanded full reparation
for the outrage we have suffered. Now, if the
hopes so freely expressed for the last few
DAYS be well founded and the Spanish Gov
eminent is able and willing to satisfy our just
demands, it is in every point of view happy
and advantageous ending of the matter IN
which We shall rejoice more heartily than
Others because to us it has seemed more diff
cult than to most of our cOtemporaries
1t will prove that great advance has been
made in Spain and in Havana, in the treat
rnent of colonial affairs. 1t will show, also,
that the present Republican Government is
far stronger, in the maintenance OF its prlncl-
ples and in the execution of its orders than
anv of the monarchcal Cabinets which have
preceded it, Under the powerful and efficient
rule Of Marshal Prim. it was impossible
TO restrain the Peninsuar sentiment OF
Cuba from any excuses to which the
within Of the hour might drive it.
Through a half dozen ministries, tho
same reforms were promised in response to
the pressing solicitations of our Government,
but they were never put in practice, simply
because they could not be. The Government
under King Amadeus was as powerless as
during the interregnum. If, now, there is
enough Of authority in the civilian Govern
ment of CASTELAR, TO successfully defy tho pop
ular prejudice which always sides with the
Peninsulars of Cuba, it will prove that there
is greater force and cohesion in the Republic
than any one has ever heretofore supposed.
Two facts would seem to sustain this view.
One is that friendly relations still exist be-
tween the respective legations and foreign
Offices in Madrid and Washington; and the
other, which is of the highest Importance, is
that Captain-General Jovellar has assured
President CASTELAR, that he is able to execute
the orders Of the Government in Cuba. If the
happy auguries Of the last few days are sus