Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-12-05

thousand pereons illegally held as slaves
In Cuba. Next the Captain General OF
that colony was deprived of the power to
set aside the order of his superiors at Mad
RID, which bad pertained to the Office
since 1925. The sequestered estates OF
American citizens, which had been the
cause of long and fruitless correspond.
ence, were ordered to be restored to their
owners. All these liberal steps were
taken in the face of n violent opposi-
tion, directed by the reactionary slave-
holders Of Havana, who are valnly
striving to stay the march of ideas
which have terminated slavery In chris
tendom-Cuba only excepted. Unhap-
PLY, however, this baueful influence
has thus far succeeded in defeating the
efforts of all liberal minded men In
Spain to abolish slavery In Cuba, and In
preventing the promised reform in that
Island.
The struggle for political supremacy
continues there. The pro.elavery and
aristocratic party in Cuba Is gradually y
8rraigning itself in more aud more open
hostility and defiance of the home gov
ernment, while it still maintains po.
litical connection with the Republic in
the Peninsula; and although usurping
and defyipg the authority Of the home
government whenever such usurpation
or defiance tends in the direction of op-
preston or of the maintenance of
abuses, it Ia still power in Madrid and
is recognized by the Government. Thus
an element more dangerous to continued
colonial relations between Cuba and
Spain than that which inspired the in
surrection at Yara-an element opposed
to granting any relief from misrule and
abuse, with no aspirations after freedom,
commanding no sympathies in generous
breasts, aiming to rivet still stronger
the shackles of slavery and oppression,
has seized many Of the emblems of
power in Cuba, and under professions Of
loyalty to the mother country is ex-
hausting the resources of the island, and
is doing acts which are at variance with
those principles of justice, OF liberality
and of right which gives nobility Of
character to Republic. In the inter-
ests of humanity, of civilization and of
progress, it is TO be hoped that this evil
influence may soon be averted.
THE vIRaINIUs AFFAIR.
The steamer Virginius was, on the
Goth day of September, 1878, duly regis
tered at the port of New York, as part
of the commercial marine of the United
States. On the 4th of October, 1878,
having received the certificate of her
register in the usual legal form, che
sailed from the port of New York and
has not since been seen within the ter
ritorial jurisdiction of the United
States. On the 2lst day of October last,
while sailing under the flag of the
United States on the high seas, she was
| forcibly seized by the Spanish gunboat
| Tornado, and carried into the port of
| Santiago de Cuba, where many of her
passengers and crew were inhumanly,
and so far at least "a relates to those
who were citizens of the United States,
were without due process of law put to
! death.
| JURISDICTION ON TIE HIGH SEAS.
1T is well established principle, as
serted by the United States, from the
beginning of their national independ-
ence, recognized by Great Britain and
other maritime powers, and stated by
the Senate in resolution passed on the
10th of June, 1858, that American ves-
sells on the high seas, in time of peace,
bearing the American flag, remain un-
der the jurisdiction OF the country to
which they belong, aud therefore any
visitation, molestation or detention OF
such vessel by force, or by the exhibition
of force, on the part OF foreign power,
is in derogation OF the sovereignty of the
United States.
In accordance with this principle the
restoration of the Virginius and the sur
render of the survivors of her passen.
gers and crew, and due reparation to
the flag, and the punishment of the au
thorities who had been guilty of the il
legal acts of violence, were demanded
The Spanish Government has recog
nized the justice of the demand, and
has arranged for the immediate delivery
of the vessel, and OF the surrender Of thI
survivors of the passengers and crew
: and for salute to the flag and for pro
ceedings looking to the punishment o.
those who may be proved to have beer
guilty of illegal acts of violence towards
citizens OF the United States, and also
towards indemnifying those who may
have been shown to be entitled to in
demnity.
TIE CONFERENCE.
A copy of protocol of conference
between the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister, in which the terms
of this arrangement were agreed to, il
transmitted herewith. The correspond
ence on this subject with the Legation
of the United States in Madrid was con
Quoted in cypher and by cable, ant
needs the verification OF the actual tex
of the correspondence. 1t has seemed
to be due to the Importance of the cast
not to submit this correspondence unit
the accurate text can be received 10y
mail. 1t is expected shortly, and will
be published when received.
In taking leave of this subject for The
present wish TO renew the expression
OF my conviction that the existence o
African slavery in Cuba is the principa
cause of the lamentable condition of tn
island. do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will
soon be made to disappear, and tina
peace and prosperity may follow its all
clifton.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
The embsrgoing of American estate
in Cuba, cruelty to American citizen
detected in no act of hostility to tn
Spanish government, the numbering o
prisoners taken with arms in thei
hands, and finally the capture, upon tn
high seas, of vessel sailing under tn
United States flag, and bearing Unite
States registry, has eliminated in al
outburst of indignation that has SCENE
for time to threaten war. Pendin
negotiations between the United State
and the government Of Spain on th
subject of this capture, have author
lied the Secretary of the Navy to pu
J our navy on war footing TO the exter
at least of the entire annual appropris
tlon for that branch of the service, trust
ing to Congress and the public opinio
Of the American people TO justify m
. action.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Assuming, from the action of the las
Congress in directing the Committee O.
Privileges and Elections to prepare an
report to this Congress Constitutions
amendment to provide better metho
of electing President and Vice Pres