The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-29

I .
entirely different questions of law to
be discussed. Spain would in such
! case have had an undoubted right to
overhaul the Virginius at any time
outside of American waters without
giving us cause of reclamation.
Something like the above is the ar
gument upon which our government
will base its claim for redress and re-
elamation. Whether the argument
be sound do not promise to discuss,
though l must add that there are
many eminent legists even in this
country who took up this argument
as extremely puerile and even para
doxical. If this be the correct view
it would seem to be a curse and not a
blessing to nation to be acknowl-
edged belligerent, and reductio ad
absurdum is Immediately proven.
1t is to be earnestly hoped that the
second sober thought of the people
and the government of the great and
strong Republic of the United States
and the young, weak aud struggling
Republic of Spain will be to avoid a
conflict. We do not want war. nei-
| ther do they. We can afford war !;
much less than they. We have al
ready a public debt of almost two and
a quarter billions of dollars. A war
with Spain would increase it to three
billions or more. Our financial credit
has been constantly improving since
the close of the terrible civil war
through which we passed, and we do
not want to injure that credit. Our
navy is by no means strong. Our
army has been reduced to a peace
footing. TO recruit the army and to
increase our naval force will necessi-
tate large outlays of money. Last
month our public debt was increased
upwards of three millions of dollars.
The increase the present month will
exceed four millions probably. The
people are now complaining of the
burden of taxation. Business is par
allied and they do not want the bur-
den made more heavy in such times
as these.
But, it will be argued, dollars and
cents should not weigh against ma
tional honor. When the honor of the
flag is attacked we should not count
the cost, but defend it at all hazards
without thinking of the loss of treas
ure or of life. True enough. I would
not say one word to dampen the true
patriotic ardor of any OF my country
men. 1t is beautiful sight to behold
hundreds of thousands of our young
men standing ready at the first note
of warning to avenge with their lives
an insult to the flag of the free. But
why do we love our fag7 Is it not |
because it is the emblem of freedom |
Our patriotism is, or should be, an in
telligent patriotism, not a blind, brute |
instinct. And are not the people of |
Spain engaged in great struggle for |
the establishment of just such gov
eminent as ours ? And must the IN |
FAINT republic of Spain be strangled by |
the giant republic of American Let
US bear and forbear a moment. The
cause of Spain is to some extent our
cause. At any rate let US keep cool;
let us not be hasty in the matter. If
there is any way possible by which
our own national honor can be MAIN
tanned without destroying the exist
ence of the Republic of Spain let us
seek ont that way, Our patriotism is
The patriotism of humanity not of
mere locality.
No man is more jealous of the hon.
or of his country's flag than President
Ulysses s. Grant, the man who led
our armies to victory during the late
var. But. dear reader, his position
S very different from yours or mine,
While it matters but little five should
Individually lose our tempers and
make hostile demonstrations his case
8 very different. He is bound BY
N oath to so conduct the affairs Of II
he government as to subserve the
'est interests of the whole people.
heavy responsibility hangs over
im and he feels it. But no'one fears
hat his accustomed imperturbability l
Fill forsake him. He is famous for {