Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-26
A HUMILIATING CONTRAST.

GranvilIe's Calm Way, by Which
EngIana's Honor is VindIcatcd-
BraSgart HurIyburIy and Ends In
Fizzle.
New York Herald.
The case of the Virginius, which made
such cOmmOtiOn in its time, bringing th,
country to the verge of war with Spain, Ia.
died away. The settlement has been mad,
and forgotten. There were some ardent
congratulations in the Administration
newspapers as to the promplitude with
which the President had vindicated our ma
tional honor. Our American minister wa:
recalled, virtually in disgrace, because M
had in some way impeded a settle.
| merit, and a new minister was Sent
| in the person of one of the foremost men of
the republic, who would place the relations
of the two countries upon firm founda-
ton. If we remember the actual terms OF
the Spanish concessions, they included a
surrender of the Nirg.nius, which now lies
in decaying, coToding peace off the stormy
reaches of Hatter&s; the return Of all the
American citizens that had not been shot
AL having been shot whose death was in
any way desired by Spain-and a salute TO
the American flag. We should add, also.
that TO attain these results We spent several
millions on our navy, which in itself was a
GOd-Send to a Secretary hungry for apprO-
priations.
We are enabled to compare the results
of this diplomacy with that of Lord Gran
vile or the English Government, a sum-
mary of which will be found in an article
from the London Times. This article is
written in the kindliest spirit toward Spain,
and it shows that the English Government
was actuated by similar spirit. We learn
that as soon as the English Government
heard that seventeen British subjects had
been executed at Santiago, Lord Granville
at once telegraphed 10 NJ. CASTELAR, ''that
the Spanish Government and all the per-
sons concerned would be held responsible
for any further executions of British sub
jectS." AT this notice." says the Times.
m. CASTELAR, Immediately sent of a mes
sage to the Captain General of Cuba, d.
rectinG the suspension of all further execu-
tions of British subjects or Others"
If this statement is accurate, and
it seems to be based upon official
information, then it seems that
z bhC NtAC ooAItN VI lliC CANALEAlS
who were not executed to the energy of the
British Minister and the firm promptitude
shown by Sir Lambton Lorraine. Having
secured the release Of its subjects the Brit
ish government proceeded still further. She
took the ground that the American register
Of the Nirginius made her an American
ship; that she had been captured on the
high seas in the commission Of no actual
wrong; that there was no positive proofthat
she was assisting the insurgents; that to
put the prisoners to death was san act of
mere revenge, and that Of a kind unworthy
of any nation claiming to be civilized
that this ''unjUstifiable execution was sim
ply judicial murder
In the words of Lord Granville, '.there
was no charge either known to the law of
nations or to any municipal law under
which persons in the situation of the Brit
ish crew of the Virginius could have been
justifiably condemned to death. They
were persons not owing allegiance to Spain;
the acts done by them were done out Of the
jurisdiction of Spain; they were essentially
nOn-combatants in their employment, and
they could by no possible construction be
liable to the penalty Of death" As
therefore, England has de-
manded not only all tina: America did, but
more. She insists that Spain shall make a
national recognition of the wrong done TO
her flag and compensate the relatives of the
victims.
The question at once arises, what has
the President done? We know that the
Nirginius has been restored, that the pris-
oneIS have been released, and that Spain
promised TO salute our flag, but was re-
leased from the promise; and we know the
millions given to the Navy Department in
those days of hurlybGrly aud threats Of war;
TIE wrong done TO the American FLAG was
greater than that done to the flag
Of England, for ours was directly inSulted.
Has any one heard that Spain has made
any Irrational recognition Of that wrong?
Have we ever said 10 Spain. that scOIn-
pensatiOn must be made TO the relatives of
the victims?' Is Spain TO understand that she
can take American citizens on the high seas
and shoot them, without hindrancc, and
yet, if she happens TO shoot EugliShmen un-
der less a@grayatlug circumstances, she
must make a national replratiOn, and COM
penS3te the relatives Of the victims? As the
Y irginius case now stands, this is precisely
what has been done. Oar Government made
4 tremendous noise, spent millions in re-
pairing the navy, and really received no
substantial redress from Spain. England
did not spend a dollar, except perhaps for
cable dispatches to Havana, and yet, 10y her
diplomacy, she compelled NJ. CASTELAR, TO
put an end to executions; by her navy she
saved American lives, and she
is now about to receive further and Just
This is not pleasant contrast, and we
wish the facts did not justify it. The coun-
ny certainly does not understand the mat
er or we should have proper demonstra-
ion of angry public opinion. As char
addendum to the state of the case,
our citizens will read the list of promo
ions of the officers of the Tornado re-
,ently made by the Spanish Government.