True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1845-12-24

rope. Jealousy among the different sovereigns
OF Europe, lest any one OF them might become
too powerful for the rest has caused them anx'
iously TO desire the establishment Of what they
term "the balance of power" 1t cannot be
permitted to have any application on the North
American continent, and especially TO the Uni
ted States. We must ever maintain the prin-
ciple, that the people of this continent alone
have a right to decide their own destiny.
Should any portion OF them, constituting an IN
dependent State. propose to unite themselves
with our confederacy this will be a question
for them and US to determine, without any for
eign interpostion. We can never consent that
European Powers shall interfere to prevent
such union, because it might disturb the "bal-
ance of power" which they may desire to main
tain upon this continent Near quarter of a
century ago, the principle was distinctly an
nounced to the world in the annual message of
one of my predecessors that "the American
continents, by the free and independent condl-
ton whiph they have assumed and maintain,
are henceforth not TO be considered as subjects
for future colonization by any European Pow
err" This principle will apply with greatly
increased force should any European Power
attempt to establish any new colony in North
America. Ia the existing circumstances of
the world, the present is deemed proper oc.
casiOn to reiterate and realfirm the principle
avowed by Mr.. Monroe, and to state my cor
dial concurrence n its wisdom and sound pol.
icy. The reassertiOn of this principle, especial
ly in reference to North America is at this
day but the PRONUNCIATION OF policy which no
European Power should cherish the DISPOSE
ton to resist Existing rights of every Eu-
ropean nation should be respected but it is
due alike to our safety and our interests. that
the efficient protection of our laws should be
extended over our whole territorial limiIs and
that it should be distinctly announced TO the
world as our settled policy that no future Eu
ropean 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 ofthe subslsIng treaty between the
United States and Prussia BY this article the
conSuls Of the two countries have the right to
sit as judges and arbrtrators " in such differ
ences as may arise between the captains and
crews of the vessels belonging to the nation
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 disturb the order or tranquility of the
or the said consuls should require
their assistance to cause their decisions to be
carried into effect or supported"
The PTuSSian consul at New Bedford, in
June, 1914, applied to Mr.. Justice Story to car
ry into effect decision made by him between
the captain and crew of the PruSSian ship b.
russia; but the request was refused on the
ground that without previous legislation by
Congress, the judiciary did not possess the
power to give effect to this article of the treaty
The Prnssian government through their min
ster here, have complained Of this violation of
he treaty, and have ASKED the government of
he United States to adopt the necessary meas.
lres to prevent similar violations hereafter
Good faith to Prussia, as well as to other ma
lions with whom we have similar treaty slip.
requires that these should be faith
uIy observed | have deemed it proper,
therefore,, 10 lay the subject before Congress-
md to recommend such Legislation as may
Ne necessary to give effect to these treaty
Obligations
By virtue OF an arrangement made between
he Spanish government and that of the United !
tates, in December 1881, American vessels,
ince the Goth of April, 1882, have been admit
ID TO entry in the ports of Spain, including
nose of the Balearic and Canary islands, on
ayment Of the same tonnage duty of five cents
ents per ton, as though they bad been Spanish
essels; and this, whether our vessels arrive in
pain directly from the United States, or indi- |
ectly from any other country When Con.
-ress, by the act Of 18th Of July, 1882, gave
fleet to this arrangement between the two |
governments, they confined the reduction Of /
onnage duty merely to Spanish vessels coming
rom a port in Spain, leaving the former dis
duty to remain against such YES.
els coming from port in any other country. |
I is manilcstly unjust that, whilst American
essels, arriving in the ports Of Spain from
ther countries, pay no more than Spanish YES
els, Spanish vessels arriving in the ports of \
he United States from other countries should |
'e subjected to heavy tonnage duties This is
Ieither equality nor reciprocity. and is in viola
ion Of the arrangement concluded in Decem.
YER, 1881, between the two countries The
spanish government have made repeated and
arrest circumstances against this inequality,
nd the favorable attention Of Congress has
zen several times invoked to the subject bv my
PREDECESSORS. recommend, as an act Of Jus
Ice to Spain, that this inequality be removed
y Congress, and that the Discriminating duties
which have been levied under the act Of the
9th Of July, 1882, on Spanish vessels coming
, the United States from any other foreign
oUniry, BE- refunded This Recommendation
Ops not embrace Sn3nish vessels arrivino in