The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-01-08
THE CUBAN COMPLICATIONS.

Before the adjournment of Congress for
the holidays, there was a call made for all
the papers and correspondence in relation
to matters growing out of the Virginius af-
fir and the last dispatches represent the
report as nearly ready and very voluminous.
The impression has been made on the public
mind that our government, from the be-
ginning, has managed things very awkward
ly if not disgracefully for the country. The
capture of the Yirginius, flying the Ameri-
can flag, with regular papers, however inn
properly obtained, and the murder of so
many of her officers aud passengers with
out any time given for investigation, was
an outrage calling for the most decided end
prompt action on the part of our govern
ment. All foreign nations at once ad-
mitted the unlawfulness of the Spanish pro-
ceedings, and were horrifed by the
butchery which occurred. II we had pun
ished the bloodthirsty Spaniards immedi-
ately before resorting to negotiation, we
-si44lall- -hazn- had-tha sanction of the civ
ilized world and been honUreufor the u1eu.
But instead of this, the Grant government,
which has always been. suspected Of being
under Spanish influence, commenced beg
ging the powers at Madrid to make apollo
eies, explanations and redress, until the
whole matter was frittered down into half
way measure of satisfaction, looking more
like an effort to cover up the humiliation Of
Spain and spare her delicate sensibilities
than to protect the honor and redress the
wrongs of the once progd republic The
people of the United States have felt deep
shame at the whole proceedings. The sus-
picious sinking of the coal barge at
the entrance of the navy yard at Brook
lyn, which prevented the Spanish
iron clad from leaving the harbor-
the sneaking out, in the dead hour of night
from the harbor of Havana, Of the Inflated
Yirginius, to save the sensitive feelings Of
the Cuban Spaniards-the out of the way
delivery of the Virginius, which no one
was allowed to witness for the same shame
full reason-and finally, the scuttling and
sinking of the virginius on her way back to
the United States, to got rid Of the trouble
some question of redelivery to Spain, which
| it is said had been demanded after the dc.
cision of Attorney General Williams all
these things have an ugly look, and Ameri.
cans abroad and at home may we'll blush
when reminded Of them. Has demoraliza
tion at home become so great that even II
our foreign affairs, not particularly affect
ing the Radical party, but affecting the
honor Of all, we must show to the world
that not single sound spot remains in th'
governing power Of this countryl That Il
all appearance abroad, we arc nothing but 1
mass Of corruption, lost to honor and self
respect, ana affected only by questions o
money! This Is the way matters look and
must look to an unprejudicei mind. w
must think OF these things, however un.
pleasant they arc. The people Of the UniteC
States must do something 10 redeem thei
lost character IS soon as possible, and vi
think they viii, the first opportunity that j
presented. At every election thas take.
place hereafter, these things should be re
membered and discussed, as we'll as other
Of grievious notoriety. aud the Radica
party must be put down aud the old Demo
cratic party raised up aud a new trial give
10 it. It has never yet been found wan;
ing. so far as tho honor Of the county wa
CONCERNED. It is our only hope.