The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-04
The VirqiniuS.


they could the world would triumph over
God, so far as the tribunal of this 1ife's
experience is concerned. To be sure, the
eye ofIaith can look forward even to the
future life and witness the triumphs of
eternity, but God generally vindicates his
authority even to the eye Of reason. This
Is. indeed, almost necessary, as human de-
pravity, utterly careless Of q future world,
would grow ungovernable in it's insolence,
were it not for the sense of that temporal
retribution which all men fear at the
hands of God.
The administration at Washington ap-
pears to enjoy an exemption from this gene
raj apprehension. 1t goes forward to the &C
complisbments of its ends without the
least squeamishness as to the means used
and without, apparently, the slightest
forecast Of impending chastisement. The
Durell usurpation was notable instance of
this in its time, and che Virginius affair is
a much later one.
Mr.. Attorney General Williams for rea-
sons precisely similar, probably, to those
which influenced his Louisiana policy, de-
termined that there should be no war with
Spain. Mr.. Williams aud all his class of
politicians can see NO higher policy than
that of prescription towards tho South.
This 10 tho grand key to all their states-
msnship. Their party 10 for them tho
country, and to maintain their party in
power 1t is necessary to keep the South in
state OF ruinous subsection to negro rule.
Hence Durell is instructed to establish by
~ Z.
sustained by force, and hence, too, an afro
cious wrong, by which American blood was
shed in torrents must be CLOSED over
and pettifogged away.
1t was evident to the sharpened instincts
Of these human jackals that q wac of any
magnitude would break the shsckles of the
South, that their victim would escape from
their tolls, and that their only opportunity
Of control and notoriety would be gone for
ever. They are kind of dirty scum that
rise to the surface of a cauldron kept boil
ing by the insane fires of sectional hatred.
and are sure to settle at the bottom when
normal conditions arc restored.
30 the Administration had no hesitation
in playing attorney for the Spanish Gov
eminent. Mr.. Williams made out o brief
for that side of the case aud called it an
opinion. But granting that according to
his view the V1rginius was not entitled to
American papers; she had them, and it was
not for seamen shipping on board of her to
enter upon an enquiry into matters which
might puzzle ADLER lawyers than Mr.. Will
iiams has the reputation, at his own home,
of being. So far as the crew of that vessel
was concerned, she aras an American ship
to all intents and purposes.
But going farther and admitting, what is
papers to be fraudulent, they were still
American citizens, though on board for
eign craft, and entitled to American pro-
lection. 1t is folly to say that Spain had
pronounced their action to be piracy. Spain
has NO right to call American citizens pi-
rates when they are not, and still less right
to punish them as such. Such . law is
brutal, and it's mere enactment ought to be
easus belH without waiting for its praeti-
cal application to some unhappy victims.
The crew Of the virgtnius were not pirates
in fact no law could make them 10, and
their execution as such was q murder
which ought to be avenged by their gov
eminent.
The blood of those murdered men has
called in vain upon their country for ven
geance. It did not suit the electioneering
views Of political hacks to give them jns-
tice, and justice was refused. But blood
is a very stubborn fact. Like Banquo's
ghost, it will not always "down" at the
bidding. The Virginius went down be-
meath discreet waters; suspicious people
whisper that it was a very convenient
accident; but the ghost of the 'Virginius
will not sleep TRANQUILITY under those wa
ters.
If the Administration has done wrong,
retribution will come. Justice never
sleeps, and it cannot be cheated. Schemes
may be we'll laid, subterfuges may be
very plausible and expedients quite inge-