The Weekly Sumter republican. (Americus, Ga.) 18??-1889, December 09, 1870, Image 2

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sttt WttUggtyntUan. HANCOCK. GRAHAM A REILLY . W. HANCOCK,.. AMERICUS. GEORGIA Friday Morning, December 9, 1870. FOR CONGRESS—2d Distbict, HON. NELSON TIFT, OF DOUGHERTY. The Downfall of the Republican Party. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. * * * In the same hour camo forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick, upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the part of tlxe hand that wrote. * * \nd this is the writing that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, TJPHARSIN. The above was the forewarning of King Belshazzar; but the words that are on the wall of Radicalism requires no Daniel to interpret them. Beyond all donbt the kingdom has been numbered and finish ed, the principles of the party and char- actcrs of its leaders have been weighed in the balance and fonnd wanting; and, worse than all to the fond lovers of Radi calism, is the upharsin of that unfortu nate Pagan King: “It is divided.' Yes, the Radical party is divided and the hour of its dissolution is fast drawing nigh. The premonitory symptoms of death oro abundantly visible, and we trust no femedy shall be fonnd of suffi oicut efficacy to repel the approach of of the great equalizer. “They have drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood and of stone,” nntil 4 tho people have been wcllSnigh robbed of all their rights and privileges. But the gronnd swell has, at last, made its appearance and tried and vphaniu has been proclaimed. The places that have known it will soon know it no more—it is passing away, for it is dividedMany of its best and ablest men are leaving it, while others are pre paring for the leap when the final crash comes. And, as evidence of its critical condition, we givo an extract from the New York Evening Post, which has been one of its staunchest and ablest defend- The Republican party was tho party of equal rights, of honest and economical government, and of reform. While it carried oat, in all the departments of government, the ideas upon which it was founded, it retained the confidence and favor of tho people. But if it is to be made tho party of monopoly, of privilege and favoritism ; if its predominance is to bo used to strengthen and perpetuate old abuses, to defend and shield monopolies, the people will avert their faces and let it fall, in spite of its glorious record. There is no doubt but that this disaf fection has and is taking a wide range, aud one that is calculated to accomplish the end of Radical rule and usurpation. The revenue and civil service reform destined to strike down Radicalism and build up Democracy. From every quar ter comes the cry of reform, and every day the cry becomes louder and more firm. But the work is not yet accom plished, although commenced. Speak ing upon this subject a Washington a respondent of the Baltimore Sun says: A good many Senators and members have been here during the last few days engaging quarters for the session. An opportunity has thus been given for an expression of views on the revenue and civil service reform movement, which prove to be quite unanimous against any attempt to form a new or third party, al though quite general on the part of Dem ocrats and Western Republicans in favor of organizing tho next House on tne basis of revenue reform. One Western Republican member declares that the people of his section are united in favor of reducing the tariff to a revenue stand ard without affording any incidental pro tection, and he believes that an attempt will be made in that direction at the coming session without waiting for the next Gongress, A Pennsylvania Repub lican member, whose opinion has been asked, says that the administration must resist such a movement with all of its lluence; that tho law convening the Forty-second Congress on tho 4th of March must bo repealed, or else that State will bo hopelessly lost to the Re publican party. The coal and iron and manufacturing interests of that State, he declares, will go to otter decay if the tariff is further reduced. The revenue Republicans say that they will show their strength in tho present Hoose by uniting with the Democratic vote to pre vent tho repeal of tho law convening Cougress on March 4th. While there will be no absolute political coalition, it is pretty evident, judging from the gene- nil talk of the liberal Republicans, that members of the two parties will be fonnd voting together in tho coming session, as they voted in the last, in favor of lower rates of duties. Soon after the Senate meets Mr. Schurz will make a speech the revenne reform movement. But' the work must progress—it has not yet proceeded far enongh. At pres ent it has gone only far enough to create a division and thoughts of forming new party. We do not believe there should be any new party now. In the language of the New York World, separate party now, made up of those w ho bavo either renounced or quarreled with Radicalism, could be of no service to the country, and wonld be fatal to its own creators. Most certainly is it so, if fonnded on a single doctrine, especially if it be one of social economy. None view the great question of revenne re form with greater respect than do the Strict Democracy, for it is a part of their political creed; bnt looking back at his tory, we find the invariable fate of one- idea parties. A triumphant party wonld never have been crystalized, or rather rolled like a mass of tattered rags, round the one-idea of antislavery, (moral, not economical,) bat for (be folly and fan aticism elsewhere, and we do not believe there is any such magic in Revenue Reform alone as to make it an exception to tl»t. rule. But if the Bepnblican Revenue Re formers think their one article of faith necessary to salvation, it surely is not so exclusive a dogma as to compel them to reject companionship with other great measure*—protection of the constitution al right of the States against centraliza tion and abuses of military power, gener al amnesty, curtailment of expenditures, reduction of all taxation, direct as well as indirect, restraint of Execntivo exor bitance, rehabilitation of commerce by a policy of peace and liberality, and puri fication of the whole public service, civil Ifidmililaiy. These arc some of the re- formy proposed to be carried into effect by the Democracy when they come to power in 1873, and they sorely offer no impediment to the sympathy and co-bp- eration of men who have abandoned Rad icalism because of its corruptions, es and flagrant outrages upon the Conti- Let them instead of forming a new, one idea party, come and join us that we may the more effectually enter the con test for victory. We have room for them all and oar motto is t -• While the lamp hold* oat to burn The vilest tinner mtjr return. * What is to be tbe Result. A Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, of a recent date, thus speaks of the politics of this State: ‘•The Senator says everything now looks very hopeful for a Republican vic tory, Of course he disclaims, in his usu al modest way, any services of his own that wonld be likely to contribute to the party. The organization is very good, and the members of it pretty generally united. Senator Cameron think* that if the lnll negro vote can be brought out the Republicans will have a fair majority.— There are some fears, however, that the negroes in the country districts may be kept away from the polls through intimi dation. To prevent this the Senator is of the opinion that a strong force of troops should be distributed through the State. This would give courage to the negio voters, while at the same time it would, prevent any disorder or outbreak. “Governor Bollock, of Georgia, is also here, and had an interview with the President, as also did Senator Cameron. It is understood that both gentlemen < -tressed their views, of the situation _ to the President, and urged the protect all the legal voters. “As already indicated in these dis patches, the President, through the Sec retary of War, has ordered that addition al troops be sent to Georgia, to remain until after the election. Should the Re publicans carry the Legislature, Govern or Bullock will be a candidate for the United States Senate, and the chances are that he will be elected. The success of the Republican party in Georgia will naturally strengthen tbe position of At torney General Akerman—who is from that State—in the Cabinet. That gentle man, therefore, is very solicitous for the success of the party.” It will be remembered that Senator Cameron was in the State a few weeks since, amt from the above, it will be seen thRt the Radicals are exceed ingly desirous of carrying this State. It will also be seen that this resalt is par ticularly and personally desirable to Bol lock and Akerman ; the former wishes to secure the United States Senatorship, while the latter is solicitous to “strength en his position” os Attorney General This is a fair specimen of Southern Rad icalism. Their aims and ambitions sel dom rise above self. The Government is ignored, the rights of the people forgot ten and the general condition of afiairt cast aside and made subservient to jer- sonol aggrandisement And this only the case with the Radical office- seekers and office-holders in this State, bnt it is so in every Southern State. When such is the case why is it the people will persist in sustaining such mis erable creatures in office f Are officers elected to discharge duties and serve the people, or are they elected to advance their individual interests ? Bnt let us retnrntotbe coming contest From the dispatch, above given it will be seen that the whole power and influ ence of the Washington Government going to be directed to this State in order to secure it to the Radical pnrty. Then in the face of this, what is oar duly? Should we court divisions, or tolerate dissentions? Shonld Democrats run mad after office ? Should the Democratic party permit more than one ticket to be run under the name of Democracy ? We think not, and as wo have before stated, the contest is not going to be an easy and cau only be gained by bard work and concert of action. If we have divisions and splits we may expect defeat. There fore, we appeal to all to unite in opposi tion to Radicalism. The State danger, the rights of the people i danger, the credit and* solvency of the State is in danger, and we appeal to the people, by all they hold dear, to rally to the rescue. Put down dissensions, lay aside personal feelings and preferences and rally to the determined support of the party. If this is done, and the peo ple will pat their shoulder to the wheel, tbe result of the election will show that the Republicans will not have a “fair majority.” An Acquisition. In onr last issue we published “ a card to the public ” from Dr. Samuel Bard, Editor of the True Georgian, iu which he declares “ that the mission of the Re publican party has ended ” and “ that the futnre welfare of the country will be best secured by the complete triumph of the declared principles of the Democratic party, ” and gives his “ unqualified sym pathy with aud adhesion to the National Democratic Party. ” We are glad tc *ee thu*, first, because we are always glad to sec men turn from error and embrace right, and, second, because we regard him its a valuable acquisition. There are many, no doubt, who will attempt to say great many lxard things abont him and his recent change, bnt we shall not be of that number, for we recognize in him, and have always done so, one |among the best editors of the State. We verily be lieve, had it not been for him and his pa per, tho Radical party wonld not be where it is to-day, in this State. As a paragraphist there are few superior tcJ Bard, and many have felt the weight and pnngeucy of his'sqnibs. So farms we concerned we welcome the Doctor in- mr ranks and extend him the right hand of fellowship—the Atlanta Sun to the contrary, notwithstanding. By the way, we do wish, for the relief of the Sun, that Bard wonld notice it for jost one time, if no more. >• Radicalism the Same Everywhere. .. Gov. Lindsay’smajarityas indicated by tbe returns of the election published in the presence of a majority of the General Assembly an Saturday last, was ascertain ed to be fourteen hundred and twenty- nine. Bnt, to this majority ihonld be •erljl added, Gov. Lindsay’s majori- in Washington arid Baker counties, which would swell his majority in the whole State to between 20,000 and 25,- 000. We are credibly informed that tbe returns from Washington county were sent by mistake to the direction of Lieu tenant Governor Applegate, and came in to the hands of the widow, wbodelivered the package into the hands of a leading Republican, and that is the last that has been heard of it The Baker county re turns have never been received at the Capitol, for reasons that we cannot ex plain. In addition to this. Gov. Lindsay shonld be properly credited with 900 votes, this being tbe number of illegal votes taken by Mr. Stanton to the polls in Jefferson, of persons who were not legally compe tent to vote being residents of that coun ty or citizens of the State. The conte it progressing in the Hocse of Representa tives in regard to the members from Tal ladega connty is already developing large Radical frauds in that county. We are conscientiously satisfied that the Demo cratic and Conservative majority in the E lls thoroughly purged wonld not be »than ten thousand.—Mont Adr. 30/A. We may profit by the above extract, if e will. The dissolution of the Radical party is fast approaching and, now, it is a death strnggle with them. In every election their best efforts will be put forth, and tho past jnstifios us in the as sertion that carrying points by fraud and corruption is not, in the least, objection able—indeed, we believe it is regarded preferable. Then, when we have such testimony be fore ns we most guard against them in the approaching election. We must see to it that they perpetrate no frauds upon us, and to do this we must prepare for it. It cannot be prevented unless necessary steps are taken, in ibis connty, unless the people make a better show to-day than they have before. There must be < mittees appointed to watch the polls and take the name of all voting illegally that they may be prosecuted ; then, the returns, as sent up, must be remembered so that any change in them can be de tected. We have got to watch every point and we had just as well prepare to do it, and let a step be taken in that di rection by the meeting to-day. h2KThe Supreme Court of Pennsyl vania is called upon to decide, if a man, who gains a wife by false representing himself to be rich, shall be divorced, the wife claiming that a marriage contract through such false pretences, is null and void. Of course the divorce cannot bo granted, because, as in the case of false pretences to obtain money, it wai lady’s doty to ascertain, before parting with herself, that the representations were correctly founded. Tho case is i remarkable illustration of how far discon tented married people will go, in these tree love days, to procure their libera tion from the marriage thrall. As well might a husband sue for a divorce on the ground of having been deceived by a wig, or padded dresses, or by a row of false teeth. Bear this Fact in Mind.—The Atlan ta Constitution calls attention to the fol lowing Section of the Code of Georgia, not repealed by the Mongrel so-called Legislature. “If. by 10 o’clock a. m., on tho day of the election, there is no proper officer present to hold the election, or there is one and he refuses, three freeholders may superintend the election, and shall lie of the same effect ns if token by u qualified officer.” Sec. 1314, Chap’ 2, Title 14, Pt. 1, Code of Georgia, page 253. A Card. We hereby notify onr friends and the public that we are not bound by the pre tended nomination, but axe still indepen dent candidates as before. We Jars and ever have been willing to abide by the wish of the people, bnt we will not be controlled by any Such trick. •We call upon onr friends to sustain ns by their votes on the day & election, and we will show them that a few tricksters do not control the country., > Stebuxo Glover. Joed R. G. Horne. Pfas-ta. D5L. On Wednesday night last, the Ar mory of Mr. Tbos. M. Eden was entered by some nnknowu pel-son or persons, who carried away about twenty new pistols, several fine guns and abont thirty dollars in cash —the whole amounting to abont $400.00. Mr. Eden is *n hard-working, honest man, and the loss to him, at this time will be particularly heavy. Our good citizens will see in this robbe ry the necessity of a change in the admin istrative affairs of the city. The fact that a house on the Public Square was entered and good* to the amount of $400.00 taken off—and no clue of the perpetrator be found—speaks poorly for the vigilance of our police. It is uow time that the po lice shonld be strengthened, and it should be composed of sober men. It is impos sible for two meu to patrol the city a night, as it shonld bo doao; and those in authority impose a duty op the police which they cannot perform, besides im pose upon the tax-payers in leaving their property so poorly protected. It is Let ter to have no police than to liave an in efficient one. LIST OF LETTERS. Remaining iu the Americas Post Of fice, held for Postage, if not called for in fifteen days will l»e sent to tho Dead let ter office. A. Allen, Richland, Go. ; William Adams, Montezuma, Ga. ; Miss Mary W. Ay cock, Rome, Gu. ; Robert Bird, Aracri- (»a. ; J. W. Burke, Macon, Ga. ; W. H. Barlow, Newton, Gu.; John F. Butler, Byronville. Ga. ; Mrs. W. Ii. J. Boswell, Greensboro, Ga. ; Film an Brunson, Macon, Ga.; J. J. Barn ell, Albany, Ga. ; Mr. Cunboge, Americas, Ga.; F. F. Chan, Union Spring*, Ala.;— Mrs. M. F. Coin, Americas, Ga. ; Miss. Sallie Dixon, Americas, Gi Feagin, Wilburns Mill, Ga. ; Capt W. F. Ford, Columbus, Ga. ; S. F. Green, Culepina Ala.; Ashley Hamilton, Moriou- na, Flo.; Mrs. M. A. Hardwick, Ameri cas, Ga.; S. S. Haynes, Floyd Springs, Ga.; Macliet Johnson, Americas, Go.; Jasper Johnson, Dover Ga.; W. F. Jinkins, Eatonton, Ga. ; J. L. KeUey, Sandersville, Ga. ; Mrs. M.E. Lansford; Americas, Ga.; Ellis Moore, Americas, Ga. ; Luke Mills, Elmira Ala.; Mi** Mollie MeMillian, Cuthbert, Ga. ; J. P. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS. DELIVERED MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1870. CONGRATULATORY. To the Senate anH House of Representa- •es: Washington, December 5.—A year of peace and general prosperity to - this na tion has passed since the last assembling of Congress. Yfehave, through a kind Providence, been blessed with abundant crops, and have been spared from com plications^ and war with foreign nations. In onr midst comparative harmony has been restored. It is to be regretted, however, that a free exercise of the elec tive franchise has, by violence and inti midation, been denied to citizens—In exceptional eases—in several of the States lately in rebellion, and the verdict of the people has thereby been reversed. The States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas have been restored to representation in onr national councils. Georgia, the only State now without representation, may confidently be expected to take her place there also at the beginning of the new year, and then let ns hope will be com pleted the work of reconstruction. With an acquiescence ou the part of the whole people in the national obligation, to pay the public debt created as the price of our Union—the pensions to onr disabled soldiers and sailors and to their widows and orphans, and in the changes to the constitution which have been made n essary by a great rebellion, there is reason why we should not advance material prosperity and happiness as other nation ever did after so protracted and devastating a war. THE UIUTED STATES AND PRUSSO-FRENCH WAB. Soon after the existing war broke out in Europe, the protection of the--United States Minister in Paris was invoked favor of North Germans domiciled French territory. Instructions were sned to grant the protection. This has been followed by an extension of Amer ican protection to citizens of Saxony, Hesse, Saxo Coburg Gotha, Columbia, Portugal. Uruguay, the Dominican Re public, Equador, Chili, Paraguay and Venezuela in Pans. The ckargo was au onerous one, requiring constant aud vero labor, as well as the exercise _ patience, prudence aud good judgment. It has been performed to the entire satis faction of this government* aid as I am officially informed, equally so to the sat isfaction of the government of North Germany. As soon as I learned that a Republic had been proclaimed at Paris, and that the people of Franco had ac quiesced in the change, the minister of the United States was directed by tele graph to recognize it, and to tender my congratulations and those of the people of the United States, as the re-establish ment in FAnce of a system of govern ment disconnected with the dynastic tra ditions of Europe appeared to be a porp- er subject for tho felicitations of Ameri cans. Should the present strnggle re sult in attaching the hearts of the French to our simple forms of republican govern ment, it will be a subject of still further satisfaction to onr people. While we make no effort to impose our institutions upon the inhabitants of other countries, and while we adhere to our traditional neutrality iu civil contests elsewhere, cannot be indifferent to the spread of American political ideas iu a great and highly civilized country like France. We were aske.l by tho new government to use our good offices jointly with those of European powers iu the interest of peace. The answer was made that the established policy and the true inter est of the United States forbade them to interfere in European questions jointly with European powers. I ascertained informally aud unofficially that the gov ernment of North Germany was not then disjxised to listen to such representations from any power, and though earnestly wishing to see the blessings of peace re stored to the belligerents, with all of whom tho United States are on terms of friendship, I declined on the part of this government to take a step which could only result in injury to our true interests without advancing the object for which onr intervention was invoked. Should the time come when tho action of the United States cau hasten the return of peace by a single hour, that action will be heartily taken. I deemed it prudent in view of the number of persons of Ger man and French birth living in the Uni ted States, to Issue soon after au official notice of a state of war which had be received from both belligerents, a pro clamation defining the duties of the Uni ted States os a neutral, and the obliga tions of persons residing within their territory to observe their laws and the laws of nations. This proclamation followed by others, as circumstances seemed to call for them. The people thus acquainted in advance of their duties and obligations, have assisted iu prevent ing violations of the neutrality of the United States. McCall, Montezuma Ga. ,• 8, B. Myers, Milledgeville, Ga.; H. S. Fulleu, Bhdus- ty, Ga.; Abram Purdy, Americas, Ga. ; B. F. Peacock, Buena Vistn, Ga.; R. Par ham, Eatonton, Ga.; Miss. Sessuf Smith Sandersville, Go.; Mrs. Ann MT Wood. Cuthbert, Ga.; C. W. Wheatiy, Ameri cas, Ga.; -G. T. Wilbnrn, Americas, D. BARWALD P. M. The “Good Templar’s Advocate” is rapidly increasing in circulation, and merchants would do well to use its col* nans tp majse koown their business. derstood that tho condition of the insurrection iu Cuba has material ly changed since the close of tho last session of Congress. In an early stage of tho contest the authorities of Spain jurated a system of arbitrary ar rests, of close confinement, and of mili tary trial and execution of persons sus pected f complicity with tho insurgents, and of the summary embargo of their properties, and the sequestration of their revenues by executive warrant. Such proceedings, so far its they affected the persona or property of citizens of the United States, were in violation of the caty of 1705 between tho United States aud Spain, and representations of inju- resnlting to several persons claiming to be citizens of tho United States by reason of such violations were made to tho Spanish Government. From April, 18419, to June last the Spanish Minister at Washington has been clothed wilh a limited power to aid in redressing each wrongs, but that power was fonnd to be withdrawn iu view, as it wiis said, of the favorable situation in which the Island of Cuba thou “was,” which, however, did not lead to a revocation of the sus pension of the extraordinary and arbitra ry functions exercised by tho executive power in Cuba, and we were obliged to make our complaints at Madrid. Iu the negotiations thus opened, and still pen ding there, the United St.»tesonly claim ed that, for the future, rights secured to their citizens by treaty should be respect ed iu Cuba, and that, as to tho past joint tribunal shonld bo established the United States with fnll jurisdiction over all such claims. Before such an im partial tribunal each claimant would be required to prove bis cose, and on the other hand, Spain wonld bo at liberty to traverse every material fact, and thus complete equity would be done. A case whi«?h, at one time, threatened seriously to affect the relations between tho United States and Spa n. has already been dis- gold, which has since been paid by"the Imperial, Government These recent examples show that the mode which the United States have proposed t adjusting the pending claims, is just and feasible^ and thatitxnay be agreed to by either cation without dishonor. It is to be hoped that this moderate demand maybe acceded to by Spain wiihont far ther delay. Shonld the pending nego tiations, unfortunately and unexpectedly, be without result, it will then-become my duty to communicate that fact to Congress and invite its action on the sub ject. The long deferred peace confer ence between Spain and the allied South American Republics, has been inaugura ted in Washington under the auspices of the United States, pursuant to the re commendation contained in the resolu tion of the House of Representatives of the 17th of December, 1866. The Exe cutive Deportment of the Government offered its friendly offices for the promo tion of peace and harmony between Spain and the allied Republics, but hesi tations and obstacles occurred to the ac ceptance of the offer. Ultimately, how ever, a conference was arranged, and was opened in this city on the 26th of Octo ber last, at which I authorized the Secre tary of State to preside. It was attend ed b.v the ministers of Spain, Pern, Chili and Ecuador; but in consequence of the absence of a representative from Bolivia, the conference was adjourned until the attendance of a plenipotentiary from that Republic could be.secured, or other measures could be adopted towards com passing its objects. The allied and other republics of Spanish origin on this conti nent may see in this fact a new proof of our sincere interest in their welfare, and of onr desire to see them blessed with good Governments, capable of maintain ing order, and of preserving their respec tive territorial integrity, and of our sin cere wish to extend onr own commercial and moral relations with them. The time is not probably far distant when, in the natural course of events, the Euro pean political connection with the conti nent will cease, and onr policy should be shaped in view of this probability so as to ally the commercial interests of the Spanish American States more closely to our own, aud thus give the United States all the pre-eminence and all the advan tage which Mr. Monroe, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Clay contemplated, when they pro posed to join in the Congress of l ann- SAN DOMINGO TREATY. During the last session of Congress _ treaty for the annexation of the Republic of San Domiugo to the United States failed to receive the requisite two thirds vote of tho Senate. I was thoroughly ■convinced then that the best interests of this country, commercially and material ly, demanded its ratification. Time has ouly confirmed me in this view. I n firmly believe that the moment it known, that the United States have < tirely abandoned the project of accepting, as a part of its territory, the Island of San Domingo, a free fort will be nego tiated for European nations in the Bay of Satnuna. A largo commercial city posed of in tliis way : I he claim of the owners of the “Colonel Lloyd Aspinwoll, for tho illegal seizure and detention of that vessel, was referred to arbitration by mutual consent, and has resulted in an award to tho United States for tho owners of tbe sum of nineteen thousand seven hundred and two dollars and fifty cents in gold. Another, and long-peu- ding claim of like nature—that of the whale ship “Canada”—has been disposed of by friendly arbitrament during the present year. It was referred, 1>Y the joint consent of Brazil and the United 8tates, to the decision of Sir Edward Thornton, Her Britannic Majesty's Min ister at Washington, who kindly under took the laborious task of examination of the voluminous mass of oorrespon- will spring up to which we will be tri butary without receiving corresponding benefits, and then will be seen the folly of our rejecting so great a prize. The Government of San Domingo has volum tarily sought this annexation. It is t weak power numbering probably less than one hundred and twenty thousand souls, and yet possessing one of tho rich est territories under tho sun, capable of supporting a population of ten millions of people in luxury. The people of San Domingo are not capable of maintaining themselves in their present condition, and must look for outside support. They yearn for the protection of our free institutions and laws : our progress and civilization. Shall we refuse them ‘ The acquisition of San Domingo is de sirable, because of its geographical po sition. It commands the entrance to the Caribbean Sea, and is tho Isthmus transit of commerce. It possesses the richest soil, l»est aud most capacious harbors, most salubrious climate, aud the most valuable products of the forest, mines and soil, of any of the West India Islands. Its possession by the United States will, iu a few years, build up a coastwise commerce of immense magni tude, which will go far towards restoring to ns our lost merchnut marine. It will give to us those articles which we < same so largely and do not prod: thus equalizing onr exports and imports. In case of a foreign war, it will give ns com maud of all the Islands referred to and thus prevent nn euemy from ever again possessing himself of a rendezvous upon our very coast. At present, our coast trade between the States bordering on the Atlautio and those bordering on tho Gulf of Mexico, is cut in two by the Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice, we must, as it were, pass through foreign countries to get by sea from Georgia to the west coast of Florida. San Domingo, with a staple government under which her immense resources can be developed, will give remunerative wages to tens of thousands of laborers not now upon the island. This labor will take advantage of every available means of transportation to abandon tho adjacent islands, and seek the blessings of freedom and its sequence each inhabitant receiving the reward of his own labor. Porto Rico and* Cuba will have to abolish slavery as a measure of self-preservation to retain their labor er.. San Domiugo will become & large consumer of the products of Northern farms and manufactories. The cheap rate at which her citizens can be furnish ed with food, tools and machinery, will make it necessary that contiguous islands should have the same advantages, in or der to compete in the production of su gar, coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, etc. This will open to ns a still wider market for our products. Tho production of our own supply of these articles will cut off more than one hundred millions of our imports, besides largely increasing our exports. With such u picture, it is easy to see how our large debt abroad is ultimately to bo extinguished. With a balance ot trade, agaiust us, including interest on bonds held by fereigners, and money spent by onr citizens trav elling in foreign lands equal to the entire yield of the precious medals in this coun try it i3 not so easy to see how this result is to be otherwise accomplished. Tho acquisition of San Domingo is on adherunco to tho Monroe doctrine. Ii a measure of national protection ; it is asserting our just claim to a controlling influence in the great commercial traffic soon to flow from west to east, by way of the Isthmus of Darien ; it is to build up our merchant mariue ; it is to furnish new markets for tho products of our farms', shops and manufactories; it moke slavery insupportable in Cuba aud Porto Rico at once, and nlti- matelyso in Brazil ; it is to settle tho nnhappy condition of Cuba, and end extermiuatiug conflict; it is to provide honest means of paying onr honest debts without over-taxing the people; it is to furnish our citizens with the ne. essories of every day life at cheaper rates than ever before ; and it is, in fine, a rapid stride towards that greatness, industry and enterprise of the citizens of the Uni ted States entitled this country to assume among the nations. In view of the importance of the ques tion, I earnestly urge upon Congress early action, expressive of its views as to the best means of acquiring San Dorn- 3 of the acquisition of Texas. So coovineed ami of the advantages to ment flrtfi. UkA ..nni.ilinn G.M TY/im•« fTL. flow from the acquisition of Son Domin go and of the; great disadvantages—I mighCalmost say calamities—to flow from non-acquisition, that I believe the snb- jecthas only to bo investigated to be ap proved. * : ' THE MEXICAN TJURA ZONA. It is to be regretted that onr represen tations in regard to the injurious effects, especially upon the revenne of the Uni ted States, of the Mexican Government in exempting from impost duties a large tract of its territory on our borders, have not been fruitless, bat that it is even pro posed in that ooantry to extend the lim its within which the privilege adverted to has hitherto been enjoyed. ' Tne expe diency, of taking into your serious consid eration proper measures for countervail ing the policy referred to will, it is pre sumed, engage your earliest attention. EXTRADITION TREATIES WITH CENTRAL It is the obvious interest, especially of neighboring nations, to provide against impanity to those who may have commit ted high crimes within their borders, and who may have sought refuge abroad. For this purpose extradition treaties have been concluded with several of the Cen tral American Republics and others are in progress. CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA. The sense of Congress is desired as early as may be convenient upon the pro ceedings of the commission on n1*im* against Venezuela, as communicated in my messages of March 16, 1869, March 1,1870, and March 31, 187a It has not been deemed advisable to distribnte any of the money which has been received from that Government until Congress shall have acted upon the subject. iugo. My suggestion is that, by joint- resolution of tho two Houses of Cougress, tho executive be authorized to appoint a commission to negotiate a treaty with the authorities of San Domingo, for the acquisition of Jthat island, and that an appropriation 1)0 made to defray tho ex penses of bucU commission, Tho ques- LCBpuu- tioti may then be determined either by d?nce and. testimony submitted by' the ] the action of tho Senate npon the treaty, Itwo governments, • and awarded to the I or the joint action of the two Houses of United Staten the sum of $100,740 09 in | Congrps upon a resolution of annexation Tlie massacres of French and Rnssian residents at Tien-Tsin nnder circum stances of great barbarity, were supposed by some to have been premeditated and to indicate a purpose among tbe popnla- tion to exterminate foreigners in the Chi nese Empire. The evidence fails to es tablish such a supposition, but shows a complicity between the local authorities and the mob. The Government at Pekin, however, seems disposed to observe its treaty obligations, so far os it was able to do so. Uufortnnately the news of the war be tween the German States and France reached China soon after the massacre. It would appear that the popular mind became possessed with idea that this con test, extending to Chinese waters, wonld neutralize tho Christian influence and power, and that the time was coming when the superstitions masses might expel all foreigners and restore mandarin influence. Anticipating trouble from this cause, I invited France and the North Germany to make an authorized suspension of hos tilities in tho east, where they were tem porarily suspended by each of the com manders, and to act together for the fu ture protection, in China, of the lives and properties of Americans and Euro peans. TREATIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN. Since the adjournment of Congress the ratification of the treaty with Great Brit ain, fer abolishing the mixed courts for the suppression of the slave trade, have been exchanged. It is believed that the slave trade is now confined to the eastern coast of Africa, whence the slaves are tak- ea to Arabiun markets. Tho ratification of tho Naturalization Convention between Great Britain and the United States have also been exchang ed during the recess, and thus a long standing dispute between the two Gov ernments has been settled in accordance with the principles always contended for Ly the United States. BOUNDARIES. In April last, while engaged in locating a military reservation near Pembina, a corps of engineers discovered that the commonly recognized boundary line be tween tho United States and the British possessions at that place is about 4,700 feet south of the true position of the 49th parallel, and that the line, when run on what is now supposed to be the true po sition of that parallel, would leave the fort of the Hndson Bay Company at Pem bina within the territory of the United States. This information being com mu nicated to the British Government, I wai requested to consent, and did consent, that the British occupation of the fort of the Hudson Bay Company should con tinue for the present. I deem it impor tant, however, that this part of the bound ary line should be definitely fixed by a joint commission of the two governments, and I submit herewith estimates of the expense of such a commission on the part of tho Umted States and recommend that an appropriation be made for that pur pose. The land boundary has already been fixed and marked, from the summit of the Rocky Mountains to the Georgian Bay. It should now be, iu like manner, marked from the Lake of the Woods to the summit of the Rocky Mountains. ALABAMA CLAIMS. I regret to say that no conclusion has been reached for the adjustment of the claims against Great Britain, growing out of the course adopted by that Govern ment during the rebellion. The cabinet of Loudon, so far as its views have been expressed, does not appear to be willing to concede that lier Majesty’s Government was guilty of any negligence, t permitted any net during tho war by which tne United States has just cause of complaint. Our firm and unalterable convictions are directly the reverse. therefore, recommend to Congress to thorize the appointment of a commission to take proof of the amounts and the ownership of these several claim*, on no tice to the representatives of Her Majes ty at Washington, and that authority be given for tbe settlement of these chums by the United States—so that the Govern ment shall have the ownership of the pri vate claimoias well as the responsible con trol of all the demands against Great Britain. It cannot be necessary to add that whenever Her Majesty’s Govern ment shall entertain a desire for a full and friendly adjustment of the claims the United States will enter upon their co sidcratiou with an earnest desire for conclusion consistent with tho honor and digoitv of both nations. THE FISHERIES—UNFRIENDLY CANADA. The course pursued by the Canadian authorities towards the fishermen of the United States, during the postseason, has not been marked by a friendly feeling.— By the first article of the Convention of 1818, between Great Britain and the Uni ted States, it was agreed that the. inhabi tants of the United States shonld have forever, in common with British subjects, the right of taking fish in certain waters therein defined. In the waters not in cluded in the limits named in the conven tion, within three miles of parts of the British coast, it has been the custom for many years to give to intrading fish- ermenj of the United States a reasonable warning of their violation of the tech nical rights of Great Britain. The Imperial Government is under stood to have delegated the whole ora •bare of its jurisdiction or control of these in-shoro fiwhing grounds to the co lonial authority, known as the Dominion of Canada, and thisjsemi-independent, bat irresponsible agent, has exercised its del egated powers m an unfriendly way. Ves sels have been seized without notice or warning, in violation of the custom pre viously prevailing, and have been taken into the colonial ports—their voyage broken up and the veateb condemned.— There is reason to believe that this un friendly and vexatious treatment was de signed to bear harshly upon the hardy fishermen of the United States with a view to political effect upon this Govera- withher conduct with respect toteT gggfesaSSf tire Tolmne of its waters. On the or™"; . T - - that she possessed both banks of three mnrlne miles of any of the Lawrence where it discoboli'*... 1 ',-. bnvs.- creeks or harbom nt n.n.l. into the sea, die denies to t),., r ' Stolen the right of navigation US'} about one-half of the Inters oiLe* Ontario, Erie, Hnron, and Superior ..1 which the nver flows, are th« prope £ ‘ ■The statutes of the Dominion of Cana da assume a still broader and more un tenable- jurisdiction over the vessels bf ^heUnitej^tatea. They authorize offi- -‘•'g vessels hovering coasts, bays, creeks or harbors of Canada, into port—to search the cargo—to exam ine the master on oath, touching the car go and voyage, and to inflict upon him a heavy pecuniary penalty, if true answers are not given; and if such vessel is found preparing to fish within three marine miles of any such coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors, without a license, or after the expiration of the period named in the last license granted to it, they provide that the vessel, with her tackle, etc., etc. shallbe forfeited. It is not known that any condemnation! have been made nnder this statute.— Shonld the authorities of Canada attempt to enforce it, it will be my duty to take such steps as may be necessary to pro tect the rights of the citizens of tho Uni ted States. It has been claimed by HerMsjesty’t officers that the fishing vessels of the Uni ted States have no right to enterthe open ports of the British possessions in North America, except for the purposes of shel ter and repairing damages, of purchasing wood and obtaining water; that they have no right to enter the British c tom-houses or to trade there, except the purchase of wood and water, and that they most depart within twenty-four hours after notice to leave. It is not known that any seizure of a fishing vessel, carrying ths flag of the United States, has been made under tliis claim. So far as the claim is founded on alleged construction of the convention of 1818, it cannot be acquiesced in by the United States. It Is hoped that it will not be insisted on by Her Majesty’s Gov ernment During the conferences which preceded the negotiation of the conven tion of 1818, the British commissioners proposed to expressly exclude the fisher men of the United States from the privi lege of carrying on trade with any of His Britannic Majesty*8 subjects residing with in the limits assigned to their use, and, also, that it should not bo lawful for the vessels of the United States, engaged said fishery, to have on board any goods, wares or merchandise whatever, except such as may be necessary for the prosecu tion of their voyage to and from said fish ing grounds; and any vessel of the Uni ted States which shall contravene this regulation may be seized, condemned and confiscated, with her cargo. This proposition, which is identical with the construction now put upon the language of the convention, was emphat ically repudiated by the American com missioners, and thereupon was abandoned by the British plenipotentiaries, and tide first, ns it stands in the convention, was substituted. If, however, it be said that this claim is founded on provisional or colonial stat utes, and not upon the convention, this Government cannot bnt regard them unfriendly and in contravention of the spirit, if not of the letter, of the treaty for the faithful execution of which the Imperial Government is alone responsi ble. Anticipating that an attempt may pos sibly be made by the Canadian authori ties in the coming season to repeat their unneighborly acts towards onr fishermen, I recommend you to confer npon the Ex ecutive the power to suspend by procla mation the operation of the laws anthor- uung the transit of wares ond merchan- ^ k° n< L across the territory of the United States to.Canada; and, further, should such a n extreme measure become necessary, to suspend the operation of •ny laws whereby the vessels of the Do minion of Canada are permitted to enter the waters of the United StAtes. NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. A like unfriendly disposition has been manifested on the part of Canada in tho maintenance of a clam of right to exclude the citizens of the United States from the navigation of the 8t. Lawrence. This river constitutes a natural outlet to the ocean for eight States, with an aggrigato population of abont 17,600,000 inhabit ants, with an aggregate tonnage of 961,- 367 tons npon the water which discharges into it The foreign commerce of onr ports on the sea waters is open to the British competition, and the major part of it is done in British bottoms. If the American seaman be excluded from this natural nvenne to the ocean, the monopoly of the direct commerce of the lake ports the Atlantio wonld be in foreign hands— trans-Atlantic voyages lake ports, which their vessels having access to would be denied to American voyages. To state such a proposition is to refnte its justice. During the administration of Mr. John Quincy Adams, Mr. Clay unanswerably demonstrated the natural right of the citizens of the United States to the navi gation of this river—claiming that the act of tbe Congress of Vienna, in open ing the Rhine and other rivers to all na tions, showed the judgment of European jurists and statesmen that the inhabit ants of a country throngh which a navi gable river passes have a natural right to enjoy the navigation of that river to end into the Rea, even though passing through the territories of another power. This right does not exclude tho co equal right of the sovereign possessing the ter ritory throngh which the river deboneb- es into the sea to make such regulations relative to the police of the navigation as may be reasonably necessary, bnt those regulations should bo framed in a liberal spirit of comity, and shonld not impose needless burdens japon the commerce which has the right of transit. It has been fonnd, in practice, more advantageous to arrange those regula tions by mutnal agreement. The United States are ready to make any reasonable arrangement as to the police of the St. Lawrence which may be suggested by Great Britain. If tbe claim made by Mr. Clay was just when the population of States bord ering on the shores of tho lakes was only 8,400,000, it derives greater force and equity from the increased population, wealth, production and tonnage of the Canadian frontier. Since Mr. Clay ad vanced his argument in behalf of om right, the principle for which he con tended has been frequently and by various nations recognized by law or by treaty, aud bas been extended to several other great rivers. By the treaty concluded at Mayenco, in 1831, the Rhino was declared freed, from the point where it was first navigable into the sea. By the convention between Spain and Portugal, concluded in 1835, tiie navigation of the Douro, throughout its whole extent, was made free for the subjects of both crowns. Iu 1853 the Argentine confederation, by treaty, threw open the free navigation of the Parana and Unignay to tho merchant vessels of all nations. In 1856 the Crimean war for the free navigation WSPSHIS9IP In 1856 Bolivia, by treaty declared that it regarded the river Amazon and LaPla- |ta, iu accordance with fixed principles of national law, as highways or channels opened by nature lor the commerce of all nations. In 1859 the Paraguay was made free by treaty, and.in December, Emperor of Brazil, by Imperi al decree, declared the Amazon to be open to the frontier, of Brazil to thq mer chant ships of all nations. v The greatest living British authority, on this subject while asserting the ab stract right of ths British olain4 says: It seems to. .be difficult to deny that! Great Britain may gronnd her refusal i strict law, but it is equally difficult to ■ j, first, that in so doing-sho exercises harshly as an extreme, and hard, law; secondly, that her conduct with respect to the navigation of the^St, Lawrcnco . is in glaring, discreditably inconsistency flows, of the United States. - The whole nation is interested in cwjng cheap tra; aporUtion from tu agricultural States of the West to it! Atlantic seaboard. To the citizenj nl thow States it secures a greater , “ tll .' for their labor—to the inhabitants of o, seaboard it affords a cheaper food—1 0 the nation an increase in the annn.i surplus of wealth. It is hoped that the Government of Great Britain will see the justice of aba a . doning the narrow and inconsistent claim to which her Canadian provinces have urged her adherence. PROTECTION OF COMMERCE. Onr depressed commerce is a subject to which I called your special attention at the last session, and snggested that we will, in the future, have to look more to the countries South of us and to Chin* and Japan for its revival. Our repre- ■entatives fo all these Governments have exerted their influence to encourage trad* between the United States and the coun tries to which they are accredited, bat the fact exists that the carrying i, done almost entirely in foreign bottoms and while this state of affairs exists, v? cannot control our due shore of the com mere© of the world. That between ti* Pacific States and China and Japauu abont all the, carrying trade now co D . ducted in American vessels. I would recommend a liberal policy towards that line of American steamers—one that will insure its success and ever increased use. fulness. The cost of building iron vessels—the only ones that can compete with foreign ships in the carrying trade—is so much greater in the United States than in f or . eign countries that, without some assist ance from the government, they cannot be successfully built hero. There will be several propositions laid before Con gress in the course of the present session, looking to a remedy for this evil, even if it shonld be at some cost to the national Treasury. I hope such encouragement will bo given as will secure American shipping on the high seas and American ship-bnilding at home. A NEW DEPARTMENT OF STATE BCILDISC.. The condition of the arckieves at the Department of State calls for tbe early action of Congress. The building now rented by the department is a frail struc ture, at an inconvenient distance from the Executive Mansion and from the other departments. It is ill-adapted to the purpose for which it is nstfl—has not capacity enough to accommodate the archieves and is not fire proof!. Its re mote situation, its slender construction and the absence of a supply of water in the neighborhood leave little hope of safety, for either the building or its con tents, in case of the accident of afire. Its destruction would involve the loss of the rolls containing the original acts mi l resolutions of Congress—of the history and records of the Revolution and of the Confederation—of the whole series of diplomatic and consular archieves, since the adoption of tbe Constitution, and of the many other valuable records and pa pers left with that department, when it the principal depository of the gor- ernmental archieves. I recommend an ppropriation for the construction of a building for the Department of State. TRANSFERS OF BUSINESS. I recommend to yonr consideration the propriety of transferring to the Depart ment of the Interior, to which they seem appropriately to belong, all powers and duties in relation to the territories with which the Department of State u now charged by law or usage, and from the Interior Department to’the War De partment the Pension Borean, so far ns it regulates the payment _ of soldiers' pension. I would further* recommend that the payment of naval pensions be transferred to one of the Bureans of the Navy Department. CIVIL LIST. The estimates for the expenses of the Government for the next fiscal year are $18,244,346 01 less than for the current ;bnt exceed the appropriations for the presant year, for tho same items, $8,972.- 137,56. In this estimate is included $22,- 338,278,37 for public work, heretofore began under Congressional provision, and of which only so much is asked ts Congress may choose to give. ; The ap propriation for the sam e works for the present fiscal year was $11,984,518,09. SPECIE PAYMENT. The average value of gold, as compar ed with national currency for the whole of the year 1869, was abont 1,31, and for eleven months of 1870 the same rela tive value has been about 1,15. Tt« approach to a specie basis is very gratify ing, but the fact cannot be deDicd tint the instability of the value of our cur rency is prejudicial' to our prosperity and tends to keep np prices to the det riment of trade. The evils of a depre ciated and fluctuating currency are so great that now, when the premium ou gold has fallen so much, it would se^m that the time has arrived when, by wise and prudent legislation, Congress should look to a policy which would pl*^ cnrreacy at par with gold at day. * - REDUCTION OF TAXES. ' The tax collected from the people las been redriced more than eighty million 8 of dollars, per annum. By steadiness in our present course there is no reason why, in a few short yeans, the nation*! tax gatherer may not disappear from the door of the citizen almost entirely. Witt the revenue stamp dispensed by postal ters in eVery comunity, a. tax upon liquors of all sorts and tobacco in all i° forms, and by a wise adjustment of tbe tariff which will pat a duty only npon those articles which we could dispense with, known as luxuries, aud on those which we use more of than wo produce, enough may be raised, after » few yeare of peace and consequent reduc- distant tiou of indebtedness to fulfliU all onr obligations. A further redaction of ex penses, in addition to a reduction « interest account, may be relied on to make this practicable.' DOWN ON THE REVENUE REFOBVEKS. “Revenue Reform,” if it menas this, has my hearty support. If it implies * collection of the revenne for th<j support of the Government—the payment of tbe principal and interest of the public debt, pensions, etc., by dir** ing the people, then I am agai?f enne Reform,” and confidently Re lieve the people are with me. If it means failure to provide the necessaiy mean* to defray all the expenses of the Govern ment, and thereby repudiation of tw public debt and pens ons I am still more opposed to snch “Revenue Reform , ’’ Revenne Reform” has not been defin^* y any of its advocates, to my kno^‘- dge, bnt seems to be accepted as some thing which is to supply: every ma ?-, wants without any cost or effort on hi* park A true “ Revenue Reformer” not be made in a day, but must be the work ot the national Legislature and of time. As soon as the revenue can w dispensed with, roll dntyv should be re moved from coffee, tea, and other articles of universal use hot prod need by oar- ^selves. - : -. vThe necessities of the country compel no to collect revenue from onr imports."