Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-12-10

with the independent action of the ma
tions on this continent. The American
system OF government is entirely differ.
ent from that Of Europe. Jealousy a.
mong the different sovereigps of Europe.
lest any one Of them might become too
powerful for the rest, has caused them
anxlously to desire the establishment ol
what they term the ''balance of power.' -
n cannot be permitted to have any ap.
Plication on the North American conti-
nent, and especially 10 the United States
we must ever maintain the principle,
that the people of this continent alone
have right TO decide their own destiny
Should any portion of them, constituting
an independent state, propose to unite
themselves with our confederacy. this
Will De question for them and US 10
determine, without any foreign interpo-
sitlon. We can never consent that Eu-
roPean Powers shall interfere to prevent
such union, because it might disturb
the "balance of ofpower" which they may
desire TO maintain upon this contne nj.
Near quarter Of century ago, the
principle was distinctly announced to the
world in the annual message of one of
my predecessors, that "the American
continents. by the free and independea a,
condition which they have assumed and
maintain, are henceforth not to be con-
sidered as subjects for future coloniza-
tion by any European Power"
This principle will apply with greatly
increased force, should any European
power attempt to establish any new col>
ony in North America. In the existing
Of the world, the present
is deemed a proper occasion to reiterate
and reaffirm the principle avowed by Mr..
Monroe, and to state my cordial concur
renee in its wisdom and sound policy.
The reassertion of this principle, espe-
cially in reference 10 North America, is
at this day but the PRONUNCIATION Of a
policy which no European power should
cherish the disposition to resist. Exists
ing rights Of every European nation
should be respected; but it is due alike
to>our safety and our interests, taat the
efficient protection of our laws should be
extended over our whole territorial linn
its, and that it should be distinctly an.
nounced to the world as our settled pol
icy, that no future European colony or
dominion shall, with our consent, be
planted or established on any part Of the
North American continent.
A question has recently arisen under
the tenth article of the subsisting treaty
between the United States and Prussia.
By this article, the consuls of the two
countries have the ri ght to sit as judges
and arbitrators "in such differences as
may arise between the captains ard
crews Of the vessels belonging to the ma
ton whose interests are committed to
their charge, without the interference Of
the local authorities, unless the conduct
OF the crews or Of the captain should dis
turb the order or tranquility Of the coun
try; or the said consuls should require
their assistance to cause their decisions
to be carried into effect or supported.
The Prussian consul at New Bedford
in June, 1874, applied to Mr.. Justice
Story to carry into effect decision made
by him between the captain and crew of
the Prussian ship Borussia; but the re-
quest was refused on tho ground. that,
without previous Legislation by Congress,
the judiciary did not possess the power
to give effect to this article OF the treaty
The Prussian government, through thei
minister here, have complained Of thi.
violation of the treaty, and have
asked the government Of tho Unitee
States 10 adopt the necessary meas
ures to prevent similar violations
hereafter. Good faith to Prussia as wei
as to other nations with whom we have
similar treaty stipulations, requires tina
these should be faithfully observed.
have deemed it proper, therefore. to la,
the subject before Congress, and to re
commend such legislation as may be ne
nessary to give etfec. to these treaty OBJ
legations.
BY virtue Of an arrangement made be
tween the Spanish government and tha
of the United States in December, 1881
American vessels. since the 29th of A
pr,l, 1882, have been admitted to entr
| in the ports of Spain, including those {
the BaIearic and Canary Islands, on pay
ment of the same tonnage duty of iv
cents per ton, as though they had bee
Spanish vessels; and this whether ou
vessels arrive in Spain directly from tn
United States, or indirectly from an
other country. When Congress, by tn
act of the 18th of July, 1882, gave el
feet to this arrangement between the tw
governments. they confined the reductio
Of tonnage duty merely to Spanish vel
sells looming from port in Spain,
; leaving the former discriminating duty
, remain against such vessels coming fro
port in any other country. 1t is mai
ilastly unjust that, whilst American ve'
sells. arriving in the ports of Spain fro
other countries, pay no more duty tha
Spanish vessels. Spanish vessels arrl,
) ing in the ports of the United States fro
!; other countries, should be subjected
heavy discriminating Tonnage duties Th