Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1865-12-13
WHOLE NUMBER 972.

the freedmen, by act of the President of
the United States, must have been extend
ed to all colored men, wherever found,
and so must have established a change of
suffrage in the northern, middle and west
ern States, not less than in the southern
and southwestern. Such an act would
have created a new class of voters, and
would have been an assumption of power
by the Presiden. which nothing in the
Constitution or laws of :he United States
would have warranted.
On the other hand, every danger Of
conflict is avoided when the settlement of
the question is referred to the several
States. They can, each for itself, decide
on the measure, and whether it is to be
adopted at once and absolutely, or intro
duced gradually and with conditions In
my judgement, the freedmen, if they
show patience and manly virtues, will
sooner obtain participation in the elect
i've franchise through the States than
through the general government, even if
it had power to intervene When the
tumult of emotions that have been raised
by the suddenness of tie social change
shall have nubsided, it may prove that
they will receive the kindiest usage from
some of those on whom they have hereto
fore most closely depended. ..
Our commerce with South America is
about to receive encouragement ty di-
rect line of mail steamships to the risin;
empire O.. Brazil. The distinguished par
ty of men OF science who have recently
left our country to make scientific ex-
ploration OF the natural history and rivers
and mountain ranges of that region, have
received from tie Emperor. that generous
welcome which was to have been expected
from its constant friendship for the United
States and his well known zeal in promo
ting the advancement of knowledge A
hope is entertained that our commerce
with the rich and populous countries that
border the Mediterranean sea may be
largely increased. Nothing will be want
ing on the part of this government to cx-
tend the protection of our flag over the
enterprise of our fellow citizens Were
ceive from the Powers in that region as
suranees of good will and it is worthy
of note that special envoy has brought
US messages Of coincidence on the death of
our late Chief Magistrate from the Bey
of Tunis, whose rule includes the old do
minions Of Carthage Oh the African coast
Our domestic contest, now happily end
ed, has left some traces in our relations
with one, at least, of the great maritime
Powers. The formal accordance Of belig-
erent rights to the ihsurgent States was
unprecedented, and has not been justified
by the issue. But in the systems of neu-
trality pursued by the Powers which made
that concession there was marked differ
ence. The materials of war for the in-
surgent States were furnished, in great
measure, from the worshippers of Great
Britain and British ships, manned oy
British subjects, and prepared for receiv-
ing British armaments, sailed from the
ports of Great Britain to make war on
American commerce, under the shelter OF
a commission from the insurgcnt States.
These ships, having once escaped from
British ports, ever afterwards entered
them in every part Of the world TO rcft,
and so to renew their depredations. The
cousequcuces Of this couduc. were most
disastrous to the States then in rebellion,
increasing their desolation aid misery by
the prolongation Of our civil contest. 1t
had, moreover, the effect, to great ex-
tent, to drive the American flag from the
sea- and to transfer much of our shipping
and orr commerce to the very Power
whose subjects had created the necessity
for such change.
These events took place before 1 was
called to the administration of the gov
ernment. The sincere desire for peace
by which | am animated led me to ap-
prove the proposal already made 20 submit
the questions which had thus arisen be-
tween the countries to arbitration. These
questions are of such moment that they
must have commanded the attention OF the
great Powers, and are SO interviewer with
the peace and interests of every one OF
them as to have ensured an impartial de-
cision. regret to inform you that Great
Britain declined the arbitrament, but, on
the other hand, invited Us to the torma-
= ton Oh q ,pluI ~ SSNN'S
al claims between the two countries, from
which those for the depredations before
mentioned should be excluded. The pro-
position, in that very unsatisfactory form,
has been declined.
The United States did not present the
subject as an impeachment OF the geod
, faith of Power which was protesting the
. most friendly dispositions, but as invol-
|, wing questions of public law, of which
:he settlement is essential to the peace OF
nations; and, though peeuniary repara'
T ton to their injured citizens would have
followed incidentally on decision against
Great Britain, such compensation was not
their primary object. They had 4 higher
motive, and it was in the interests OF peace
{ and justice to establish important princi-
pies of international law. The correspon-
, dence will be placed before you; Inc
Il ground on which the British Minister
rests his justification, is substantially,
, that The mupicipal law OF a nation, and