The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-01-08

ing the American flag 1t is the duty Of
our Goverhment to prevent an abuse of
the nag IN this case as well as in that of
the General Sherman, and q rigid inquiry
should be instituted"
The Post, also, seems to be waking up
to the dangerous tendencies of it's own
teachings and saysi
ARE We NATION OF FILIBUsTERs?
Since the DAYS of William Walker and
the Mosquito War, if not indeed since the
government was organized, we have
hardly been for one year without fill
buster case" of more or less consequence
Several of them, like the latest one, have
brought us to the brink of war, and most
of them have cost us good deal of
money and more in the disturbance of
commercial and social relations. The
necessary freedom allowed all
sorts of adventurerssunder our system of
government is undoubtedly answerable
| for many of these troubles; but it is also
true that the good nature or carelessness
of successive administrations is to blame
in great measure.
No sooner has the Virginius been dis
posed of at cost to this country of five
million dollars than another steamer is
fitted out for the same unlawful purpose
1t Is announced from Baltimore that the
Edgar Stewart is to be- made ready for
sea, that its destination is Jamaica, and
that several of the, old crew of the Vir-
ginius will join it. This vessel will sail
| under the United States flag. The prob
ability that it will so sail simply to con-
ceal its real character, and protect it from
the penalties it deserves, makes it inter
esting to note the conduct of the govern
ment in the parallel case of the Virginius.
That vessel was fitted out under the very
eyes of the United States officers. Its
character was notorious. 1t sailed in the
service of the Cuban insurgents for many
months, and made no pretenee of being
in the merchant service 1t was every
where lodging and flying away from the
Spanish cruisers. Uhe 0f its posts of
con cealment was in the harbor Of Aspin-
wall, where it was blockaded by Spanish
man-of-war. The Spanish consul at that
place was authorized by his government
TO offer proof to this government that
the vessel was a pirate by the law of
nations, and had no right to carry the
United States flag. If they could not
prove its unlawful character, its owners
and our government were to be reim-
bursed for all loss or injury. In response
to this apparently fair offer, a United
StaIeS war VeSSeI, all ready Tor action,
voluntarily escorted the Virginius out OF
the harbor and beyond the reach of the
Spaniard's guns.
Is this story to be repeated by the
Edgar Stewart? Is every vagrant vessel
having no Wis BILE means of support, every
filibuster that chooses to fly the United
States flag to be protected and encour-
agment up to the very time when overt
acts of piracy shall be committed? We
may as well at once license vessels to do
an unlawful trade with any insurgent
state. 1t is unquestionably true that
whatever property is covered by the
American flag is sacred against seizure
but this does not justify the license of all
sorts of contraband craft; it should
rather induce greater care in the registry
of vessels and in the shipping of cargoes
and crews. If the Edgar Stewart sails
regarded as pirate, and again the gov
ernment will be fortunate to escape wal
by the payment of several million dol
lars. 1t appears to US that the cheaper
and safer way is to prevent this conclu
sion rather than to await it's consequent
ces. Why not let United States wal
vessel watch its movements /? If its
object is legitimate, its owners ought to
be glad of the escort. If not legitimate
they have no right to object, and the
country will be saved great embarrass
ment and expense, not to say disastrou:
war. The government can stop the
system of filibustering which has become
almost national sin, and now is a gooc
| II me to try it.