The Portland daily press., 1875-03-18
CIeditabIe GiDlOmacy.

The settlement of the Virginius affair is in
the highest degree creditable to the accom-
plished gentleman at the head of the State
Department and to the Executive who sus-
tanned him in his wise and moderate course.
The line Of conduct pursued is in marked
contrast with the traditions of American di-
plomacy. Like our cousins over the water
we have been prone TO bully weak nations,
to "vindicate" the national honor when it
could be done without danger to ourselves,
TO buster and "talk big' when there was lit
tie or no occasion for it. We have ever be.
haved ourselves insolently toward our neigh
bors, and have not hesitated to despoil them
in order to enrich ourselves. We have GER
tainly conducted ourselves as nation, in a
manner which would subject man to the
charge of cowardice. But we have in other
ways cleared ourselves from that imputation,
and only serve as another illustration of the
truth of Charles Lambs remark that bully
is not necessarily coward.
1t would have been an easy thing for the
governments to have seriously complicated the
Virginius difficulty and even to have involved
US in war with Spain. The country, irritat-
ed by the first news of the outrage, fur
ther excited by the Incorporate speech of
hot-headed zealots ard calculating hold
ers of Cuban bonds in New York,
was ready to burst into fame, and
wanted only word from Washington.
The naughty temper and overweening
national pride of the Spaniards would have
taken umbrage at the slightest menace or at
the faintest indication of a dictatorial tone in
calling Spain to account. An act of indis-
cretion would have precipitated conflict.
It is unnecessary to consider the result of
that conflict. 1t is sufficient to know that
it would have cost much blood and treasure,
would have indefinitely postponed the pay
ment of the national debt, and would have
given serious setback to our reviving trade
aud industries. From such a calamity the
moderate temper and wise counsels of Sec
retary Fish saved us.
The course pursued by the Secretary must
command general appreciation. While firm
in pressing the demand for indemnifcation
upon the Spanish government he was care
full, as gentleman and skilled diplomatist
should be, to refrain from unnecessary AFRO
gance in language and from making those
extreme demands which from their nature,
must have defeated the very end he was
seeking to reach. At the same time he
yielded nothing material in his desire to ac-
commodate himself to the rules of inter-
national courtesy. Many of the papers
abounded in filings at and taunts of Mr.. Fish
at the time Spain made the settlement with
Great Britain. He has his revenge now,
for he has effected more favorable settle
ment.
4 In July 1874 Minister Cushing wrote to the
Secretary, saying, ''I entertain confident
belief that with steady but patient persis-
tence of reclamation we shall, in good time,
reach satisfactory solution of most, if not
all, of the unsettled questions growing out of
the capture ofthe Virginius." The policy
then announced has been pursued and has
resulted in settlement of all the questions.
In November of the same year information
was received that Spain purposed to pay
Great Britain five hundred pounds sterling
for each white and three hundred pounds for
each colored man who suffered. Minister
Cushing was instructed to make similar de-
mand, with this difference; that no less sum
should be received for black than for a
white man, the United States recognizing no
distinction of color in the treatment of its
citizens. The negotiations then put on foot
have resulted in the settlement which has just
been made public. Spain agrees to pay $780,
900 in full and final settlement of the claims.
The advantages which this settlement pos
sesses over that of Great Britain are that We
receive as large sum on account Of colored
as of white citizens, that we are not obliged,
as is England, to give an account to
the Spanish government of the distribution
of the money, and that the settlement is
final between the two countries, leaving no
vexatious questions to come uD in dispute
hereafter. Doubtless we are in great
measure indebted for these advantages 10 the
accomplished diplomatist who represents us
at Madrid. The matter was arranged by the
Spanish Republic, and there were some
doubts as to the attitude of the restored
monarchy regarding it. But the Secretary
made its acceptance a condition of the recog-
milton of Alfonso, and so accomplished his
object.
The country will notice with qualification
that Mr.. Fish, while keeping within the
bounds of courtesy, did not hesitate to take
exceptions to the attempted defence by the
Spanish Minister of the barbarous acts. In
language dignifed and firm he expressed his
regret that review OF all the facts attend
ing the executions, and consideration OF
the acts, barbarous and cruel without par
allel, connected herewith, did not deter the
representative of Spain from the use of any
expressions of justification.