The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-15
Has the President Defended Our
National H0nOre

o commouon IN Its time, bringing the country
to the verge Of war with Spain, has died
away. The settlement has been made and
forgotten. There were soRe ardent rhetorical
congratulations in the administration news
papers as to the promptitude with which the
President had indicated our national honor.
Our American Minister was recalled, virtually
in disgrace. because he had in some way i'm
peded settlement and q new minister was
sent in the person of one Of the foremost men
of the Republic, who would place the relations
of the two countries upon firm foundation.
If we remember the actual terms OF the
Spanish concessions, they included sur
render of tho Virginius, which now lies in de-
caying, corroding peace off the stormy reaches
of Hatteras; the return of all the American
citizens that had not been shot-all having
been shot whose death was in any way desired
by Spain-and salute to the American flag.
We should add also, that to attain these re-
suits we spent several millions on our navy,
which in itself was God-send to Secretary
hungry for appropriations
We are enabled to compare the results of
this diplomacy with that of Lord Granville or
the English government, summary of which
will be found in an article elsewhere printed
from the London Times. This article is
written in the kindliest spirit toward Spain,
and it shows that the English government was
actuated bya similar spirit We learn that as
soon as the English government heard that
seventeen British subjects had been executed
at Santiago Lord Granville at once telegraphed
to M. CASTELAR, ''that the Spanish government
and all the persons concerned would be held
responsible for any further executions of
British subjects. SAT this notice." says the
Times, "M. CASTELAR, Immediately sent off a
message to the Captain General OF Cuba
directing the suspension of all further execu-
tons of British subjects or Others" II this
statement is accurate, and it seems to be based
upon official information, then it seems that
we owe the safety of the American citizens who
were not executed to the energy of the British
Minister and the firm promptltude shown by
Sir Lambton Lorraine. Having secured the
release of it's subjects the British government
proceeded still further. She took the ground
that the American register Of the Virginius
made her an American ship; that she had
been captured on the high seas in the
commission Of no actual wrong; that
there was no positive proof that she was
assisting the insurgents; that to put the
prisoners to death was "an act of mere re-
venge, and that OF kind unworthy of any
nation claiming to be civilized" that this
"unjustifable execution was simply judicial
murder"
In the words Of Lord Granville, ''there was
no charge either known to the law of nations
or to any municipal law under which persons
in the situation of the British crew Of the
virginius could have been justifably con-
demned to death. They were persons not
owing allegiance to Spain; the acts done by
them were done out of the jurisdiction Of
Spain; they were essentially non-combatants
in their employment and they could by no
possible construction be liable to the penalty
of death" AS consequence, therefore, Eng
land has demanded not only all that America
did, but more. She insists that Spain shall
make national recognition of the wrong done
to her flag and compensate the relatives Of the
victims.
The question at once arises, What actually
has the President done? We know that the
Virginius has been restored, that the prisoners
have been released and that Spain promised
to salute our flag, but was released from the
promise and we know the millions given to
the Navy Department in those days of hurly-
burly and threats of war. The wrong done TO
the American flag was infinitely greater than
that done to the flag of England, for ours was
directly insulted. Has any one heard that
Spain has made any national recognition" of
that wrong? Have we ever said to Spain that
compensation must be made to the relatives OF
the victims?" Is Spain to understand that she
can take American citizens on the high seas
and shoot them, without hindrance, and yet il
she happens to shoot Englishmen, under less
aggravating circumstances, she must make a
national reparation, and compensate the rela.
tives Of the victims? As the Virginius case
now stands this is precisely what has been
done. Our government made tremendous
noise, spent millions in repairing the navy,
and really received no substantial redress from
Spain. England did not spend dollar, ex.
cept perhaps for cable dispatches to Havana,
and yet by her diplomacy she compelled M.
CASTELAR, to put an end to executions; by hei
navy she practically saved American lives, and
she now is about to receive further and just
compensation.
This is not a pleasant contrast, and we
wish the facts did not justify it. The country
certainly does not understand the matter or
we should have proper demonstration Of
angry public opinion. As q characteristic
addendum to the state Of the case our citizens
will read the list of promotions of the officers
Of the Tornado recently made by the Spanish
government.
Tho Attempt TO Cover Up Official Mis-.