Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-12-11

Presidents Message.
k:..s;s Es.s;... u AZ ss.a's and Ros's q Repre-
Ano,hsr year Of hcal,l, and Of sufficiently
abundant harvests has passed. For these
and especially for the improved condition Of
oUf national affairs, our renewed and pro.
found gratitude to God is due.
We remain in peace and friendship with
foreign powers. The efforts Of disloyal citi-
acns Of the United States to involve us in
foreign war, to aid an inexcusable insurrec-
tioA, haYe been unavailing Her Britanic
Majesty's government, As Was justly expected,
have exercised their authority to prevent
fhs' departure Of new hostile expeditions
from British ports. The Emperor Of France
has, BY like proceeding, promptly indicat-
ed the neutrality which he proclaimed at the
beginning Of the contest. Questions Of great
intricacy and importance have arisen out Of
the blockade and other bclligerent operations
between this Government and several Of the
maritime powers, but they have been dis
cusxsd, and, so far a. was possible, accom-
rnodated in spirit Of frankness, justice and
mutual good will. It is especially crafty.
ipg that our prize courts, by the impartial
ity Of their adjudication, have commanded
me respect and confidence Of maritime pow
ers.
The supplemental treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain for the suppress
sion Of the African slave trade, made on the
18th day Of February last, has been duly rat
lied and carried into execution. 1t is belisv.
ID that 80 far as American ports ond Amer.
ican citizens are Concerned, that inhum an
and bafbarous traffic has been brought to
IN end. -. *A-7
shall submit for the consideration Of the
Senate, tho Convention for the adjustment
Of possessory claims in Washington Terri
tory, arising out Of tho treaty Of the 18th Of
June, 1e46, between the United States and
Great Britain, and which have been the
source of some disquiet among the citizens
q that now rapidly improving part Of the
country.
A novel and important question, involv.
ing the extent Of the maritime jurisdiction
Of Spain in the waters which surround tho
island Of Cuba, has been debated without
reaching an agreement, and it is proposed,
in an, amicabls spirit, to refer 1t to the ar
bitrament Of = friendly power. A conven-
ton for that purpose will be submitted to the
Senate. saa
Ihave thought il proper. subject to the
approval Of the Senate, to concur with the
interested commercial powers in an ar
rangemsrit for the liquidation Of the Scheldt
dues, upon the principles which have been
heretofore adopted in regard to the imposts
upon navigation, in the waters Of Denmark
The long pending controversy between
Tins Government and that Of Chill touching
the seizure Of Silina, in Peru, by Gillian Of
6cers, Of large amount in treasure belong
ing to citizens Of the United States, has been
brought to close by the award Of His Maj.
ssty, the King ofths Belgians, to whose arbi.
tfatisn the question vas referred by the par.
ties. The subject was thoroughly and pa
tientiy examined by that justly respected
magistrate. Although the sum awarded to
the claimants may net have been a. large as
they expected, there is no reason to distrust
the wisdom Of His Aajesty's decision. That
decision was promptly complied with by
Chill, when intelligence in regard to it reach.
ed that country.
The joint commission, under the last ses
sion, for carrying into effect the convention
with Peru, on the subject Of claims, has been
organized at Lima, and is engaged in the bu
Siness entrusted to il.
Difficulties concerning inter oceanic transit
through Nicaragua are in course Of amicahl,
adjustment.
In conformity with principles set forth If
my last annual Message. l have received ,
representative from the United States of Co
iunbia. and have credited . Minister to tina
Republic
Incidents occurring in the progress of ou
sivil war have forced upon my attention tn
uncertain state Of the international cues
ton touching the rights Of foreigners in thi
country, and Of United States citizens abroad
In regard to some Governments, thes
rights are at least partially defined BY treat
les. In no instance, however, il it expressly
stipulated that on the instance of civil war,
foreigner residing in this country within tn,
lines OF the insurgents, is to be exempted
from the rule which classes him Is belig
srent, in whose behalf the Government O
bis country cannot express any privileges o.
immunities distinct from that character.
regret to say, however, that such claims hav
been put forward, and in some instances il
behalf Of foreigners who have lived in tn,
United States the greater part Of their lives
There ia reason to believe that many per. :,
born in foreign countries. who have declared
their intention to become citizens, or VIII,
have bssn fully naturalized, have evaded tn
military duty required Of them, by denyin,
the fact, and thereby throwing upon the Gov
eminent the burden of proof Il has bee,
found difficult, or unpracticable, to Obtain
this proof, from the want of guides to In
proper sources of information. These nigh
be supplied by requiring the clerks of court
where declarations OF intention may be made
or DECENTRALIZATION effected, to send. periodic
ally, lists of the names Of persons natural
izsd or declaring their intention to becom
citizens, to the Secretary Of tho Interior. Il
whose department these names must be a,
ranged and printed for general information
There is also reason to believe that foreigner
frequently become citizens Of the Unite
States Tor the sole purpose of evading the du
ties imposed by the laws of their natiy
country, to which, in becoming naturalize
mere, they at once repair. and though neve
returning to tho United States, they sti
claim the interposition of the Government q
citizens. Many alterations and great pref,
dices have heretofore grown out of this abus,
1t is therefore submitted to your serious cor
sideration. 1t might be advisable to fix
limit beyond which no citizen of the Unite
States, residing abroad, may claim the int,
position Of this Government The right {
suffrage has often been assumed and exercise
by aliens under pretense of naturalization
which they have disavowed whom drafted int
the military service. submit the expedier
cy OF such an amendment of the laws as wi
make tho fact Of voting "A estoppsl again!
any plea Of exemption from military servie
alienage.
IN common with ether Western Power
our relations with Japan have been brousl
into serious jeopardy through tho peryer.
opposition Of the hereditary aristocracy |,
the empire to the enlightened and liberal DO
'cy OF the Tycoon, designed to bring Ii
country into the society Of nations. It is
be hoped, although not with entire cor 65snc