The Lamar register., 1898-04-23


OF them mere boysl were marched TO
the slaughter house. There they were
lined up at the edge OF a trench. bound
but not blindfolded. and made to kneel.
The clergy then passed solemnly down
the line and delivered the only message
OF hope left to their agonized souls. I'm
mediately. the commanding officer
gave the signal to Rre by waving his
sword and instantly thirty-seven
American citizens fell-some lifeless.
others dying. and still worse those who
were wounded but still allye-into the
shallow trench Then came the crown
ing barbarity. A company Of artillery,
till now kept in reserve. galloped for
ward and crushed with It's inhuman
juggernaut OF hOofs and wheels the dy-
ing. dead and wounded into one indls-
tinguishuble mass. The bodies were
subsequently tumbled into mule cars
by chain gang Of negroes and carried
10 the place OF burial. Il had been tho
intention Of Gov. Burriel to repeat this
mode Of butchery till the entire crew
Of the VIrglnius had been massacred,
but on Nov. .. a few hours before the
timo for third slaughter British
warship, the Niohe, appeared in the
harbor and her captain promptly in
formed the governor that he would tol-
crate no further bloodshed until the
matter had been referred TO the home
authorities. In consequence the re-
mainder OF the captiyes were saved
from death. Their reScue was, howsy-
er. the net Of an individual English
man. or Irishman. rather. Commander
Ryan When Ryan returned to Eng
land he was dismissed from her majes-
ty's service In disgrace" Yet his
name will be remembered forever in
the hearts OF all who have read OF his
humane act
The insurgents In Cuba were fsht-
ing for their Independence. The na-
tlyes were making a silent and pathetic
bid for the protection Of the American
fiag, and the technical misunderstand-
Ing which arose out OF the VirEinius
fostered a hope that in the event Of
trouble between Spain and the United
States the immediate expulsion OF the
spaniards from Cuba would ensRe. The
universal excitement In the United
States at the conduct OF the Spanish In
Cuba for a time appeared to make a
war between Spain and the United
States inevitable.
The United States maintained that
the capture OF the Yirginius was
dGrogAtion Of Its sovereignty, assum-
ing simultaneously that the vessel WsI
n United States merchant ship lawfully
floating the American dag The Span
lsh. however, maintained that the ship
was manned with pirates who were
also their rebellious subjects. and that
the claim TO the protection OF the
American nag was fraudulent Com
piications thickened. and long course
of diplomatic correspondence cnsued.
The United States demanded that the
Virginius be surrendered; that the sur
viyOrs be delivered safely TO them. and
that the vessel be saluted as a rIghtfui
American ship. However, Il WAS
agreed that the salute should be dis
pensed with II before the 25th Of De-
cember, Spain could satisfy the United
States that the VirgInius had no right
to carry the flag. The Spanish uitI-
mately succeeded In convincing the
Americans that the claim of the Viz
ginius to the Gag was unlawful. and
the salute was consequently dispensed
with. However. the other demands
were duly complied with, and dis
clainer OF an intent Of indignity to the
flag Of the United States was expressed
by the Spanish minister on behalf OF
his government. Thus after a pro-
tracted and complicated network OF
diplomatic negotiations. a peaceable
settlement Of the difficulty was effected,
Thus the loss of many lives through
the clash of war was peaceabIy ayerted,
though no apology. however abject,
could bring to life the innocent mar
tyrs to the cruelty OF Spanish murder
ers.
1t may be reasoned. possibly, that
according to international law. Spain
was technically right In the vlrginius
affair; but there can be no possible