The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-11-27

corning the capture OF the Nirginius and
the execution Of her officers and passen-
gers HIS in some degree subsidized 1t is
seen, when the facts are known and the
bearings of international law upon the
case understood more fully, that the Span
iards are not so much transgressors in the
capture of the vessel The real offence is
against the laws of humanity in the bar
barous and wholesale execution OF the
persons found on board In that the United
States cannot find a special offence against
its rights, or a plausible cause of war. If
we have any right of complaint it is found
in the fact that Cuba is near us, and that
we have Alright to complain of the nuisance
of slaughter house at our doors Spain
may indeed reply that her reign antedates
our national existence, and that her prac-
| tees have always been the same, from the
determination of the native Cubans three
hundred years ago, down to the assassina-
tons of the present day But then the
laws Of humanity have gathered strength
of late years, among other races, il not
with Spain, and protest by this or any
other civilized government in the name
of outraged humanity must have force.
| The first duty of the authorities at
Washington is to proceed with delibera-
ton, GOODNESS. and determination to
seek the best interests of the country,
whatever may be the popular excitement,
or the demands OF those who expect to
profit personally by 4 war. The country
has had quite enough OF that class of
| patriots of late. 1t seems to be pretty
well established that though the Virginius
carried the flag OF the United States, she
did so wrongfully-that she was clearly
| the property of Cuban revolutonists, and
had since she was furnished with papers
worn the flags OF two other nationalities.
| And even if she had not forfeited her
nationality the act of carrvin" the n. uln-
| >tv.4l7,7 ana tnelr arms and attempting to
| land on the Cuban coast. would seem to
put her outside the pale of this country
pi'tN'ti'il -hih slS iol wv ttlHtllS tNt-
cuted, probably every intelligent man
among them knew that in joining the cN-
petition he took his life in his hands, and
| denationalized himself by the act. so long
as he served that cause.
| 1t would seem, therefore, that we have
| scarcely pretext for war with Spain in
this matter, even upon the showing Of
| those who complain. There is 4 great
| deal more Of offence to lis as Il nation in
the unprovoked assassination OF our citizens
| in the streets of Havana by rutfianly mobs,
while the victims were there on legitimate
business, as has been done repeatedly, the
only offence being that they We're Ameri-
cans. And also in the coniiscation, with
out sufficient cause, OF estates belonging
| to citizens of the United States Spanish
abuse of Americans visiting Cuba is sys-
tematic and persistent There ought to
| be day Of reckoning for it all, but we
must bide our time for all that we can
make of the captured Virginius and her
slaughtered crew, as a cause of war.
War is a calamity in any shape it may
come, and no one is wise enough to see
the end when once begun of a conflict and
the complications that may arise out of it,
even against a nation SO weak as Spain
appears to be. 1t is to be avoided by all
honorable means. At the same time we
would have this country make for itself
among nations the reputation of protect
ing the lives, property and rights of the
humblest Of its citizens whenever and
wherever they may lawfully 90. For a
wrong to one Of them or to a ship that
lawfully carries the flag we would have
the government demand prompt and full
reparation at the lannon's mouth But to
all cases Of the kind should be applied the
homely and wholesome maxim BE sure
you are right, then 90 ahead"
The New York Herald publishes, from
4 Spanish source, the official account OF
the capture and execution of the pas
scngers and crew OF the unfortunate Viz
, ginius. The countrymen of Capt Frye,
: one of the Americans executed, will be
glad to know that he did not join in the
, abject and cowardly begging for his life
4 and the offers to betray the Cuban cause
t which marked the last hours of the Gu,
L hanc In manly lattar IN tho command