Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-04

L..
slaves in the States where it exists may heseaer
exist.
g. The duty Of protecting this right in all the common
Territories throughout their territorial existence and
until they shelf be admitted States into the Union,
With or without slavery their constitutions may pre-
scribe.
g. like recognition of the right of tbs aaster to have
bis slave who has escaped from State to anottr
stored and selivered up to him. and of the validity Of
Che fugveslaye law enacted for this purpose togeher
with declaration that ell State laws mpairng de-
feating this right violations Of the Constitution and
are Consequently null and void.
1t may be objected that this construction of The Con-
stituton has already been settled by the Supreme Court
of the United States and what more Csht to be required
The u.s. that very large proportion of She people
of the United States still contest the correctness of this
decision, and will from agitation and admit
its binding force until clearly established by the people
of the several States in their sovereign character Such
explanatory amendment would it is believed forever
terminate the existing sensions and restore peace and
harmony among the States
It ought not to be doubted that such appeal to the
arbitrament established by the Constitution itself would
be received with favor by al the States of the Conce
acy. In any event it ought to be tried in spirit of
Cancellation before any Of these States shall separate them
selves from the Union
When entered upon the duties of the presidential
Office the aspect neither Of foreign nor domestic af
fairs at all satisfactory. We were involved in dan
-gerous complications with several nations and two of
Territories in state of revolution against the
Government restoration Of the African slave trade
had numerous and powerful advocates Unlawful mill
try expeditions countenanced by many Of Citi
zens and suffered in defiance of the efforts of the
Government to escape from Shores for the purpose
OF making upon the unoending people of neighbor
ing republics with whom we were at peace In addition
to these and other difficulties experienced revision
in monetary affairs, after my advent to power of
unexampled severity and of runous consequences to all
the great interests of the country. When we take re-
trocct of what then condition and contrast this
with its material prosperity at the time Of the late pres
Dental election have abundant to return
grateful thanks 10 that merciful Providence which has
never forsaken us nation in all our past trials
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly
character. Since the commencement Of my aeainistra
ton the two aasetous questions arising from The Clay
ton and Buwe treaty and from the right of search claim
ed by the British government, have Been amcably and
honoraby adjusted
The dscodan constructions of the Clayton and Bulwer
treaty peten the two governments which, at different
periods of the discussion, bofe threatening aspect have
resulted in final settlement entirely satisfactory to this
Government. In my last annual message informed Con-
gress that the British government had not then compe
ted treaty arrangements with the republics of Honduras
and Nicaragua Ia pursuance Of the understanding between
the two governments is nevertheless confidently
pected that this good work will ere long be accomplished
This confident expectation has since been fulfilled Her
Britannia Majesty concluded treaty with Honduras
the 2sth Novenber 1885, and with Nicaragua on the
18th August 1890, relinquising the Mosquito protcco
rate. Besides, by the former tie Bay Islands recog
nscd as part of the republic of Honduras It NAV be
observed that the stpuations of these treaties conform in
every mportut particular to the amendments adopted by
the Senate of the United States to the treaty concluded
London the 18th October 1885, between the two gov
ernments 1t will he recollected that this treaty was re-
ectqd by the British because of its objection
the Just and important amendment of the Senate to the
article relating to Ruaan and the other islands in the
Bay of Honduras.
It must be source of sincere satisfaction to all classes
ofouT feewczens, and especially to those engaged in
foreign commerce. that tie c!ein, the part Great
Britain forcby to visit and search American merchant
vessels the high in time of peace, has been aban
doled This was BY far the most Dangerous question to
the peace of the two coute hiel has existed since
war Of 1872. Whilst it remained OPEN tiif fright at
any moment have been precipitated into war This
was rendered manifest by the exsperted state of public
feeling throughout entire country produced by the
OFcibe search OF American merchant vessels by British
cruisers the coast of Cuba in the spring of 1883 The
American people hailed with general acclaim the orders
of the Secretary Of the Navy to naval force in the
Gulf of Mexico, to protect all vessels of the United
States on the high seas from search or detention by the
vcselso of any other nation These orders might
have produced immediate collision between the naval
forces Of the two countries. This was most fortunately
prevented by appeal to the justice of Great Britain and
to the law of nations cxpounded by her own most emf
nent jurists
mains open is the disputed title between the two gov
ernments to the island OF San JUAN in the vicinity of
Washington Territory As this question is still under
negotiation; it is not deeCd advisable at the present mo-
mcnt to make any other allusion to the subject
The recent visit of the Prince of Wales in private
character to the people of this country has proved to be
most suspicious event. In its consequences it cannot
fail to increase the kindred and kindly feelings which
trust may ever acuate the government and people of
both countries in their political and social intercourse
with each other.
With France, ancient and powerful ally our rela
tons continue to be of tho most friendly character
decision has recently been made by French judicial tr
bunal with the appreciation of the Imperial Government
which cannot fail to foster the sentiments Of mutual re-
gard that have SO long existed between the countries
Under the French law person can serve in the armies
OF france unless be be French citizen The law of
France recognising the natural right of cxpatration it
follows as necessary consequence that Frenchman by
the TACT OF having become ctizen of the United States
has changed his allegiance and has lost his native char
acter He cannot, therefore, be compelled to serve in
the French armies In he should return to his native
country These principles were announced in 1852 by
the French Minister of War, and in two late have
been confirmed by the French judiciary In these two
natives of France have been discharged from the French
army because they had become American citizens 70
employ the language OF present minister to France
who has rendered good service this occasion, 81 do
not think our French naturaliz fellow-ctizens will
hereafter experience much annoyance this subject
venture to predict that the time is not far distant when
the other continental powers will adopt the wise
and Just policy which has done much honor to the
enlightened government of the Emperor In any event.
our government is bound to protect tho rights of
naturazed citizens everywhere to the same extent as
though they had drawn their first breath in this country
We can recognise distinction between our native and
naturazed citizens.
RUSSIA.
Between the great empire of Russia and the United
and hose
existed still continues to prevail and if possible to in
crease Indeed our relations with that Empire all