Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-11-20
Capture OF the Vrgtnius-CubaE
Butchery- Warlike Aspect.

The capture Of the steamer Yer
qiniuS on the Let inst. near port of
Jamaica by the steamer, Tornado,
and the wholesale butchery of her
passengers and crew by the Spanish
authorities at Santiago de Cuba, is
regarded as one the most shocking
barbarities of modern times and
direct insult to our flag and the
rights Of American citizens.
1t seems the steamer VirginiuS
was owned by private parties in this
country, aud had been for number
of years in the service of the Cuban
insurgents, sailing under the Ameri-
can colors and register. Early last
month the Virginius, commanded BY
Capt. Williams, set sail f.om New
York, loaded with passengers and
merchandise for Colon. Many ~
the crew and passengers WEI
American, aud, il il sid, some wert
British subjects, all the passenger
appearing on tho register as labor.
era for q railroad building at Color
At Kingston, Jamaica, Capt, Fry
took command Of the Virginius, and
about the lst inst saileA direct for
Cuba flying the American colors.
When approaching the island the
vessel was run down and captured
by the Spanish steamer, Tornado, and
taken to port OF Cuba on the pre-
text that she Was privateer. And
late dispatches state that her crew
and passengers numbering Ill per-
Sons have since been shot az prison.
ers of war, despite the order OF the
Spanish (Madrid) government and
the protests of the American and
other foreign Consuls az Havana.
This is only one Of the many in
stances of the kind in Cuba when
the Spanish government has been
unable TO enforce it's authority 10 the
protection Of foreign citizens. II il
now generally concluded that unless
the Madrid government consents TO
Joint Intervention in order to restore
tranquility 10 the isl and and punish
the perpetrators Of the recent out
rage, war with Spain is inevitable.
All the facts concerning the capture
Of the VirginiuS and the butchery OF
her passengers will be laid before
Congress for such action as may be
necessary TO preserve the dignity OF
the Nation and for the future pro-
lection Of its citizens. The gov.
eminent meantime IL making prep
arations to meet all issues which
may arise, even if force be required
and this fact is apparent in the
present naval movements
The press OF the country comment
an nlain terms on tho shn"L;-s 49,
bArities perpetrated by the Spanish
authorities. We have space to copy
only the following;
The New York Tribune thinks
now or never il the time tor prompt
action by the government concerning
the Cuban matter. These Outrages
cannot be permitted To Continue.
Nothing, however, could be more
futile Or illegal. it THINKS, than to
grant belligerent rights to the Gu.
bpns. This would do nothing To end
the civil war. The Spanish govern
ment cannot grant ample reparation.
1t must In future protect our hsg and
citizens in Cuban waters.
The New York Times thinks Their,
il no need of an indignation meeting
on the subject. The govorumeut
will do its duty. Every thing DC.
ponds upon how many of the per-
sons shot were Spanish subjects, and
whether the VIrginius was bona
Jide American vessel, or simply car
rying the Amen lean flag as snare
1t thinks It certain that some of the
victims were Americans. They were
not amenable to Spanish laws, since
they we're captured on the high seas.
80 violation Of international law. If
Spain has done this it is a crime tor
which no extenuAtion or apology can
atone. There will be nothing left
the United States government bat to
declare war with Spain.
The New York Herald regards il
a. q crime which outrages humanity
aud has exhausted he patience of the
civilized world, and which, by its
en- rmity prompts an uprising a Wig.
lance committee, and the swift pun.
ishment of the offenders. The first
impulse of the American people
should be to avenge the murders and
the insult TO our nation. The pop
ular voice would applaud the Pres
ident IL he sent feet of iron ,clads
to Santiago dc Cuba, TO demand the
surrender of the Spanish butcherer,
Burriel, and the commander of the
Tornado, TO be dealt with according
to their deserts; but Notwithstanding
these promptings, the Herald advises
patient elaboration in dealing with
the matter.
@-London Journals express the