The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-07

consequence, as long as the negotiations
were continued. He refused to personally
confer with the Spanish minister, but there
after, continued the discussion in writing.
Each article of the proposed "protocol,"
embracing the demands Of the United
States were considered. discussed and
finally agreed to. 1t only remained that
General Sickles and the Spanish minister
of state should append their signatures
thereto, to make ii binding upon the two
countries. Then delay occurred de-
lay which, perhaps, may be accounted for
without much difiiculty-and the time
passed in which General Sicklcs was ill.,
structed that the Spanish government must
assent to our demands, the matter be
finally settled, or he must demand his pass
ports and leave the country. In com
pliancc with the 'ultimatum," which he
was instructed to present to that govern
ment, and in further compliance with his
instructions. General Sicklcs demanded
his passports and prepared to leave Madrid
II is well understood by our readers that
we have never approved of the course ia
ken by the government in this natter II
has seemed to us that our demands were
not justified by the law of nations, and
that, i'll any event, some consideration
ought to have been shown to Spain. en-
gagged in life and death struggle for free
institutions. We did not and do not, think
the horror of our country was involved in
the matter, or that the flag of the United
States had been wantonly and Intentionally
insulted. We have thought, and still think,
that great and powerful nation could af-
ford to be magnanimous to Il weaker ma
ton, especially when it was bending its
every energy to save its very life. We
would not allow II weaker power TO insult
lis with impunty without demanding re-
dress, but in international affairs. as well
as in individual concerns, there is "A great
deal of truth in the saying that ''ciroum-
stances alter cases" If, however, General
Sicklcs was instructed to negotiate "A settle
ment of the difficulty if he was directed to
present to Spain an ''ultmatum"; if a day
was fixed when, if the matter was not set
tied, he was to demand his passports if.
in compliance with his instructions. he had
negotiated the settlement in the ac-
tual terms demanded; IT there was
n delay in completing the "proto-
coz by IA neglect to sign the same.
whereby there might be given to it vitality !;
if on this account, and in compliance with
his instructions he demanded his passports
he ought TO have been sustained by the gov
eminent, ought he not? Why was the de
lay? 1t is apparent enough now While
Sickles was obeying the instructions of the
government and had procured the assent of
Spain to each and every of our demands,
another negotiation was going on in Wash
ington between our secretary of state and
the Spanish Admiral Polo
The Spanish government knew of this.
but our minister to Spain was kept in the
dark in reference thereto. Polo was en-
klcs had been instructed to demand, and
had actually succeeded in his project The
Washington negotiations were concluded
before the day when Sickles was instructed
to demand his passports. The Spanish
government knew it Sickles was ianor-
ant thereof. OF course the Spanish minis
ter would not sign the "protocul" arranged
between him and Sickles. Sicklcs. as we
have said, in compliance with his impcra-
tive Instructions. demanded his passports
and was about to leave Madrid. when he
was informed that ''protocol' had been
agreed to and signed in Washington, and
that the whole difficulty was settled. From
whom, think you, did this informa-
ton come From the government he rep
resented, Of course. The secretary of state
would hasten to inform him of the fact, so
that he might govern himself accordingly,
would he not 1t would certainly seem so,
but that is not the way modern diplo-
macy is conducted. His first intimation of
any negotiations in Washington, or OF the
fact that the matter had been settled there,
was obtained from the Spanish government
and this is modern diplomacy. Is it any
wonder that Sicklcs resigned He showed
more dignity of character and self respect
in this one act, than in Il the other actions
of his life We are, as we have said, no
admirer OF General Sickles. We thought
it grave mistake when he was appointed
minister to Spain. Taking his career at
Washington, his known habits of life, his
conduct in South Carolina, etc, etc., we
wondered that he should have been con
firmed by the Senate. But he was so ap-
pointed and confirmed. He represented
the dignity and honor of the United States
in Spain, and, rs such representative, he
was entitled to decent and honorable treat
ment on the part OF the government. Has
lie received it : Let the facts answer 1t
is conceded that he had, in compliance
with the express instructions of the govern
ment, negotiated a settlement of the Viz
ginius difficulty in the very letter and
terms OF our demands, yet he is publicly
snubbed in the face of the Spanish nation
and the world Without his Knowledge.
another settlement is made, and he is rem
dered ridiculous before the nation To whom
he is the accredited minister Such is
modern diplomacy
Letter From fXeene.
TEMPERANCE.