The New York herald., 1874-05-14

and Of those opposing it 234 republican to lN
democratic The infiationists in Congress
pretended to be acting according to the viii OF
the people. These figures show that the peo-
pie of the West, as well as the people OF the
East are opposed to further issues Of ire
deemable currency.
from General Burrtel.
Our correspondent in Madrid sends us
letter written by General Burriel in explana-
ton Of the virginius massacre. This letter
We print elsewhere in justice to the General,
whose conduct in that unfortunate affair seemed
an outrage upon civilization The General OK
plains that the number of the prisoners ex-
eouted was not as large as is generally sup
posed that ffty-three were executed and
the remainder given their liberty. He says
further that he did not permit the interference
of the foreign consuls because he acted under
peremptory laws and regulations, which COM
pelled him to inaict prompt and exemplary"
punishment upon all insurgents he quotes
another order, directing all insurgent vessels
in port or ON the high seas to be treated as
pirates. As to the charge that he showed un-
usual rigor in carrying out these cruel orders
he says that, while he might have shot his
prisoners simply upon Identification" he
gave them all fair and patient trial that it
was eight days after the capture before the
last of them were slain. As to the protests OF
the American consular Office, the General says
he had only his duty to perform as soldier,
him to amend them, but for the governments,
by treaty and reclamation. Nor is it true
that he yielded to the menaces of the volun-
teers for, as he relates, there was time
when alone he deied the volunteers and COM
PEELED their assent to the laws Of Spain. He
denies that he disobeyed any order of M.
CASTELAR, to suspend the executions.
General Burriel then assures US that in the
United States only the mob favored war;
that ''high financial and commercial inte-
rests" ''lawyers Of universal fame" ''the
genuine common sense element" recognized
the right Of the General to shoot his unfortu-
nate prisoners. That furthermore, the Vir-
ginius was justly captured as pirate and
its passengers properly condemned and exc
cuted.
There is really nothing in the statement
Of the General that is new to us. The
orders that controlled his actions were brutal
enough, and only exist from the extraordinary
liberation of the American government, which
seems to see no harm in any decree of the
Spanish authorities in Cuba, no matter how
cruel It is due to M. CASTELAR, TO say that
with prompt humanity he commanded the
executions to cease, and it does not seem
that General Burriel disobeyed that order.
The American government was, of course
bound to recognize the spirit which prompted
the action of NJ CASTELAR,, to respond to it in
the same temper and to accept the surrender
of the prisoners as an atonement for the exc
the temper of the American people if he sup
poses that there was any feeling but one of
horror and detestation at his course. This is
the sentiment of the civilized world. The
desire to deal gently with Spain and not to
add TO the embarrassments which surrounded
and in time destroyed CASTELAR, largely
influenced our action. Our people some
how seemed to feel that war upon the Cas-
telar Republic would have been in some re-
spects o fratricidal war. and, as result, the
utmost forbearance marked the whole negotia-
ton. This is point which has escaped the
attention of the General. The tone of his
letter shows that he feels uneasy and unhappy
because Of the Judgment passed upon his ac-
ton at Santiago by the civilized world. But
this is Nemesis from which men like Gem
eral Burriel cannot escape His victims are
dead, his country has been released from the
consequences Of their death, new honors have
fallen upon him because of the vigor and
promptitude with which he executed barbarous
DEGREES But his name will be remembered
in history, with that of the Duke of Alva, as
one of those cruel rulers who were silent to
every thought OF humanity. Better be with
the dead adtenturers who sleep in the soil
of Cuba than to live and carry through life
the name and fame of B1rriel
The Promised Reduction OF Taxation.
Comptroller Green has promised the tax
payers Of New York material decrease in the
rate of taxation, as result Of the law author
izing the reopening of the city and county
apportionments The rate at the amount
heretofore authorized is 3.40 per cent. This
is calculated on the valuation of real and per-
sonal estate for last year; but on the valua-
ton Of 1871 it would have been $3.70 per
cent The increase in the valuation since
1871 has been as follows on real estate:-
Assessments on real estate In the city
OF New York for 1873.... 1886, 693, $50
Assessments ON real estate IN 1871... 769, ,396 4l0