Year: 1873

to be read by our representative; that
the American Legation at the Spanish capital
was mobbed and that our Minister was making
preparations to leave when induced to sus-
pend them by the British Ambassador. This
is the information we have, and Spain is well
come to it. What does she want more I?
What delay does she require in order
to make up her mind whether these
atrocities demand apology and repara-
ton? Away with such ridiculous triAing
and humbug If the American government Of
to-day had any of the pluck of our fathers
any of the grit and vigorous patriotism Of
Andrew Jackson, these outrages would have
been atoned for long since by the surrender
of the Vlrginius and those of her passengers
and crew who are still alive, the punishment
OF the buccaneer, Costello, and the butcher,
Burriel, indemnity for the murders and free
dom for Cuba.


How much longer are we to wait, with our
flag trailing in Spanish mud and our national
honor splashed with the blood of the Santiago
victims? Are we to be patient until Sehor
Soler with his brilliant staff of funkies, con-
cludes his gorgeous pleasure trip to Cuba and
reports to his government that 'there is
nothing in the Virginius AFFAIR."" Are we to
wait ninety days, as in the case of the Lloyd
Aspinwall, and then be satisfied with
money indemnity? Shall we wait until
Spain has sent all her iron-clads into these
waters, has purchased more guns in New
York to be sent to Cuba, and has made all
the preparations she can to resist our demands
or slaughter our soldiers and sailors? Shall
we wait until s'the excitement dies out" so
compromise may be fixed up dis
graceful in the present and without
any real guarantee for the future?
Shall we wait until Spain has INDUCED in her
grandloquent roar, twirled her terrible mus
tache sufficiently and is prepared to allow us
to present our complaints? Or, shall we do
the only act that can insure reparation for the
past and security for the future-occupy Cuba
with our troops, guard her harbors with our
vessels and hold possession until final and
satisfactory settlement can be made?


This is the only course our government can





should be in Cuba before their landing will
cost serious sacrifice of life While the
present political condition of Cuba is suffered
to exist we can make no settlement with Spain
that will be secure or permanent. Madrid
cannot control and we cannot trust the
turbulent and savage men who disgrace
the name of humanity on the unhappy
island. They are cowardly, treach-
erous and cruel, without sincerity or
honor, and guided clone by passion. They
would break solemn agreement tomorrow
as they have violated treaty obligations here
tofore. The cases of the Lizzie Major, of the
Lloyd Aspinwall, of the Mary Lowell; the
murder of some American citizens at Havana
and Santiago; the Imprisonment and bar
barous treatment of others; the confiscation
of property; the almost incredible atroci-
ties committed by the volunteers-all
these things are not dreams, but realities.
The capture of the Virginius and the
wholesale butchery of her people are no fable
the horrible truth is before our eyes. What
faith can we have in the outlaws who, de-
flying their own authorities have committed
these crimes? We must treat them as
felons and scourge them into humanity. If
Spain is mad enough to fight for them we
must teach her lesson her beggarly
pride has long needed If her so-called
Republic is worthy the name she
will disown the lawless acts Of the cutthroats
OF the Casino Espaiiol and will unite with US
in giving free institutions, peace and civiliza-
ton to Cuba. Saould she force war upon us
it will be war in which we shall have the
sympathy Of the civilized world, for we shall
fight for the freedom of the seas; to protect
the lives of citizens Of all countries
from butchery without trial; to maintain the
sacredness OF international law and treaty OBJ
legations, and our triumph will strike down
the last vestge of human slavery in the civil
lied world. Yet our government trembles
and hesitates between such war and dis
honorable peace.