Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-12-04
OUR SPANISH RELATIONS.

-AL
one time she welded the sceptre of uni
verSal supremacy, The civilizations Of
Greece and Rome acknowledged her mas
tional nagnifcencc, and to her own grand
achievements. she added the glory Of the
one aud the splendor Of the other. Do
side her unchallsnged power at home,
based on a wise administration Of Govern
ment and the prosperity and contentment
of the people, her unnumerable d%ependcn-
cies we're the richest and fairest portions
of the universe. This was when the pure
and noble Castilian race, distinguished
for their fervid patriotism and generous
impulses, managed Spanish affairs and
guided Spanish destiny. This nobil-
ity. under the c~orrupting influences Of un'
restricted power aud a continuously pie
thoric treasury, has iegsneratcl into the
ignominious treachery and brutality of
the modern Spaniard.
During the last century, Spain has com
mitted a series Of outrages, with a cool dc.
6,nce and audacity challenging the highs
es. admiration Of the heather and savage,
that would bringa blush Of shame and
an overwhelming remorse Of conscience to
a nation less INSCRIPTIONS blood thirsty
and inhuman, During the Presidency Of
Franklin Pierce, she attacked the COM
morcial marine Of the United States, but
that Democratic administration ruled by
a party in the interest Of o system of
slavery akin to Spanish vassalage, was
too cowardly and impotent to require the
reparation which the enormity of the OUT
sage demanded. EE w1spgT
The second insult to our flag. which is
of recent occurrence, was the seizure of
the yirginius in English waters, of the
49, 49,
Cuban coast, sailing under American col
ors and with an American clearance
bringing the vessel into a Cuban port un-
der condemnation Of flibustering, exc
cutting her captain, crew, and . portion of
her passengers who were American and
British subjects, and porpctrating these
blood>stirring acts without even the un'
hallowed sanction Of a %farcical court mar
tial trial. The massacre of Santiago, for
1t can be called nothing else, wrought up
the bellicose nature of our people to the
highest pitch Of excitement and patriotic
fervor, The acrimonies and bitterness of
sectional feeling were Immediately forgot
ton, and thousands of brave men, from all
sections, offered their services to- the
United States in response to tho universal
shout and sentiment Of "Frse Cuba and
Revenge" The war,cloud lowered, black
and dense with the righteous wrath and
indignation Of an outraged people, Cas-
tclar, and his Cabinet, heard the notes Of
preparation ringing in tho American Navy
Yards, and knew they had no ~mcn>of>war
that could successfully combat the iron
monsters Of destruction that would scourge
their waters and lay their seaboard cities
ID ruins, They saw that their armies
would DO driven from Cuba, aud q free
Republic would be established in the
Queen Of the Antilles" under the proteo'
ton Of the american bayonet.
Tho authorities at Washington have
regarded the virgiaius affair With calm
consideration, calculating discretion. but
with a delay which in the present asitated
and Infatuated condition Of the public
mind, has provoked a universal censure
and indignation. But finally the %alterna'
tive Of war or q peaceful repatriation was
submitted TO Spain in the following de-
mand: First-The release of the officers
and crew Of the virginius. Second-The
return Of the xisginius. Third-Prcvi>
si9E Cor the families Of the slaughtered
captives. FOafsh-A salute 81 the