Virginius Affair - U.S. Public Reaction

U.S. Public Reaction

The initial press reaction to the capture of the Virginius was conservative, however, as news of executions poured into the nation, certain newspapers became more aggressive in promoting Cuban intervention and war. The New York Times stated that if the executions of Americans from the Virginius were illegal, war needed to be declared. The New York Tribune asserted that actions of Burriel and the Cuban Volunteers necessitated "the death knell of Spanish power in America". The New York Herald demanded Secretary Hamilton Fish's resignation and that the U.S. recognize Cuban belligerency. The National Republican, having believed the threat of war with Spain was imminent, encouraged the sale of Cuban bonds. The American public considered the executions as a national insult and rallied for intervention. Protest rallies took place across the nation in New Orleans, St. Louis, and Georgia encouraging intervention in Cuba and vengeance on Spain. The British Consul to the United States, Sir Edward Thornton, believed the American public was ready for war with Spain. A large rally in New York's Steinway Hall on November 17, 1873 led by future Secretary of State, William Evarts, took a moderate position and the meeting adopted a resolution that war would be necessary, yet regrettable, if Spain chose to "...consider our defense against savage butchery as a cause of war..."