National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-06
TIE HIRGLNIUS CORRESPOND
e.. nr ENCE. te.a.Ea.

The regular readers OF lHE NAhiONA
REPUBLICAN will. find but little that is new 10
them in the abstract of the official CORE
spondence regarding the Virginius analr,
which we print to-day. The message Oh
the President submitting the correspondence
which we print in full, is charactes,stlcahy
concise. Disdaining all rhetorical argo-
ment he grapples directly with the Facts OF
the case, and presents them in clear and
. precise language. A more condensed, and,
: At the same time, plain and satisfactory
statement could not have been prepared.
The straightforwardness with which he as
shmes the responsibility of directing the de-
mands for PREPARATION upon the Spanish Gov
eminent is worthy of the most earnest
commentator. The subsequent proceed
ings in the case being under his immediate
supervision, if not actual direction, partake
of the sharp and decisive character which
10 has 50 often developed in great emer-
kencies. While frankly admitting the lille
eal character of the vessel, he 90 satsfac-
torily maintains the right Of the United
States to punish offences against their own
laws that the most captious opponent of the
Administration will be compelled TO- admit
the strength with which an admittedly
weak case was supported. The imperative
manner of the demand for the return OF the
vessel and the surrender of the surviving
members of the crew appears to have been
sodigni6ed and to have been so firmly ad-
hered to as to compel the respect anc, after
repeated protests, the final compliance of
the Spanish Government In short. the
entire management of the affair must com
mend ITSELF as here presented, to the ap-
prevail of every honest and thoughtful mind
The declaration by the Spanish Minister
in behalf of his Government is most posi-
tive that no insult was intended by Spain
to the United States. 1t is but the begin
ming of the end, which has been unfortu-
nately delayed by the changed condition of
affairs at Madrid. But judging from what
we already know, we have reason to believe
that when the consideration of the case is
resumed, the firmness which has go sfg
nally illustrated its conduct in the past will
be continued. The result is therefore as
sured. Each and every one of the points
yet in sbeyance must and will be conceded.
At the same time our own Government will
proceed to execute its part Of the agree
ment. In the end we shall have the pun
ishment CT the parties on both sides who
have been guilty of violation oflaw.
Regarding Minister Sickles' connection
with the case, it is evident that many ex-
cuses may be offered in his behalf His
assertions relative to the duplicity and de-
ceitwhich no doubt the Spaniards attempted
to practice upon him suggests the idea that
CASTELAR, himself was unable at first to con-
troll the impulsive anger of his Minister of
State, and that until after that impulsive
anger had subsidized it was natural that he
should have become rcstive. 1t is appa-
rent from this deduction that Admiral
Polo, acting as he did with unexampled
and dispassionate GOODNESS, rescued both
Governments from threatened danger. He
seems to have appreciated the Sit
uation with the clear foresight of
q statesman. Understanding the char
acter of the Spanish cabinet, he no
doubt foresaw that no accommodation could
be reached until after the anger of the first
passion had been sllayed. 1t il probable
that he also knew that CASTELAR, would
finally be able to prevail and, relying upon
the integrity of his chief, proceeded with
the negotiations in behalf of his Govern
ment with a reliant hope. now happily
realized, that calm and conciliating opinions
would prevail in the end. The deceit of
which General Sickles complained 80 justly
was TINS overcome, and the misfortune of
a warlike result avoided.