Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-11-22
The gibexal aepubIiran.
DALLAS. SATURDAY Nov.22.
THE vIRGINIUs AFFAIR.

us the news of the capture aud shoot
Ing OF the entire crew Of the Virginiu
by the Spanish authorities of Cuba
he total number shot was one hnndre,
and ten, mostly Americans. This j
without doubt one of the mos
outrageous and inex cusable massacre
that was ever committed by an,
civilized nation; but it is in per:ec
keeping with the spirit aud well known
character of the Spanish people. Al
we read the account of the terribl,
murder-ten at time marched up I,
be shot over the dead bodies of thei
brave companions,-tie mind cannot
help revolving at suoh barbarities
which are only equaled by those Of the
savage spd untutored red men ol
America.
Not only does the deed itself, but
siso the manner IN which it was
transacted, cries loudly tor retalitory
measures from the government of the
United States. The American Govern
nent was not only not informed of the
matter until the shocking deed was
done, SO that it might act in the
premises and punish its own citizens
ghould it transpire upon inquiry that
they were guilty of violating the law
of nations, but the American Consul,
who interfered in order that he might
stay if possible, the wholesale buteherey
of the unfortunate prisoners until he
should be able to communicate with
his government in respect to the affair,
was replied to with taunts, aye with
threats unless be ceased Lia inter-
ference. The British Consul who also
attempted to interfere, Jared no better.
This kind OF conduct in a nation that
pretends to be..civilized, and, which to-
day, is fighting for popular freedom
and equal rights, is as degrading as it
barbarous.
If all the facilities for enlightenment
afforded by this the MONDAY of the
nineteenth century are not suf fctent to
raise benighted and priest.riddeu
Spain above the dark and damnable
ways Of the Inquis;tlon, then we are of |
the opinion that it is high time that she
be taught such lesson Of justice and
humanity, as will serve to open her
eyes to the important truth that she is
living in that advanced age of the
world when she can no longer chop off
with impunity, the heads OF those who
should chance to be SO unfortunate as
to incur her vengeance, as she was wont
to do in ths more barbarous times Of
Cortez and Pizarro.
1t may be said iG behalf of Spain,
the We should sympathize with her in
her laudable endeavors to found and
maintain sister republic across the
seas, and that the matter should be
overlooked by our government as
necessary evil. While we would wish
to see republican institutions triumph
on the continent of Europe, still, at the
same time, we must also bear in mind
the fact that Cuba has been struggling
for years to free herself from the
CALLING burden of foreign yoke, aud
that her citizens have been unceremoni-
ously shot down and murdered wherever
and whenever caught. Ifit be necessary
to maintain the Spanish Republic in
blood; if such horrid butcheries as the
one which has just been perpetrated
iD Cuba are essential to her preserva-
ton and success; if she must indis.
criminately slaughter her citizens in
order that she may maintain her
existence then, certainly, 1t must be
because majority of her citizens are
opposed to that form of government,
and we, under those circumstances,
could not wish her success.
Should the Government think
proper to engage in war with Spain, as
the present activity in the Navy
Department seems 1oY to Indicate, it
will without doubt, result in the
'snnexatlad oi Cuba, at lsast in her
indepcnlebce
For years have the United States been
silent lockers on of the great struggle
between Cuba and her despotlc ruler,
and although the patriotic Cqbans have
made several appeals to her for aid,
nevertheless, restrained by her policy
of noninter.erence, and her ut tparalleled