Year: 1873

If our Government has really reached the
decision announced In the Washington dis
matches. concerning the true character of the
VlrCiDius, its success in the negotiations that
secured the surrender makes all the more
imperative its duty now There should
be no hesitation in pressing with the utmost
frankness and prOmptness the measures for
the condemnation of the compromised vessel.
Senior CASTELAR, has met the just demands of
our Government with good faith and high
heroism that demand from us in return the
most scrupul0us fulfillment of our National
obligations. Thus far our State Department
has conducted this difficult business with dig
nity and success; and we may fairly trust it
now to protect the National honor as well in
doing Justice to Spain as in exacting justice
from her


But the results which are to follow indirectly
upon the conclusion of the present incident III
the Island of Cuba are likely to be still more
import8nt than the event which gave rise to
them. aud may settle finally the controversy
which has ragged for five years in Cuba and for
more than half century in this hemisphere.
1t is impossible to deny that the conduct OF
the CASTELAR, Government i'll acceding to the
lust demands of the United States has greatly
strengthened the power of the Madrid Cabinet IN
Cuba. Those who knew most of the savage and
domineering spirit of the Peniusulars OF Havana
were sure that they would never consent to
the humiliation of witnessing the surrender of
the vessel whose capture they had hailed with
such demonstrations of triumph. 1t was
common remark of theirs that they would rather
suffer thousand deaths than such degradation
But they were canny enough to perceive that
their resistance would be simply their own
material ruin, and when the ordeal came
they infinitely preferred the degrada-
ton to the loss of their money and
their plantations. Don Julian de Zulueta,
who has been for several years more
powerful in Havana than the King, was the
first TO counsel moderation 10 his retainers III
the Casino. When it became clear that the
CASTELAR, Ministry were not to be intimidated
by threats or persuaded by appeals from car
rying out their engagements with the United
States. the leading Peninsulars assured Gen.
Jovellar that they would be responsible for
tbe maintenance Of public order. The crowd
that gathered in the Plaza de Armas to riot
over the di appearance of the Virginius from
the harbor was composed only of the landless
and nennilcSs rowdies of the city. They were
soon taught that there was no sympathy for
them in the Casino. and tho cOldness OF tho
Pennsulars was not less discouraging to them
than the charge of the Spanish cavalry which
scattered them from the Plaza.


This moral victory of the Government can
pot but have a wholesome effect upon all the
Spanish residents of the Island. The Casino
can with difficulty recover from the loss of
prestige that it has suffered in being thus de-
fed by CASTELAR,. and being compelled to assist
him in the execution of policy adopted
against its expressed wishes. IL is already
announced, both from Madrid and Cuba, that


the Spanish Government is seriously disposed


to push the advantage it has thus gained. for
| the purpose Of Introducing into tho Island