The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1867-12-11


principle heneeforth not more important to
the United States than TO England itseH.
THE PURCHASE OF ST. THOMAS,
The purchase Of a naval station in the |
West Indies, has, during the present year,
attracted the attention OF the State Depart
ment. All the commercial nations of the |
West India Islands were settled and colon
ized by the European States, simultaneous |
ly with the settlement aud colonization OF |
the American continent. Most of the colo |
nies planted here became Independent na |
;ions in the close of the last aud the Oegin |
ning of the present century. Our own |
country embraces communities which at
one period were colonies of Great Britain,
France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Rus
sia
The people of the West Indies, with the
exception of those of the Island Of Hayti,
have neither attained nor aSpired in inde
pendencG nor have they bee me prepared
ior selfsdefense Although possessing con-
siderable commercial value, they have been
held by several European States which col
onized and at the same time conquered
them, chiefly for purposes of military and
naval strategy. In carrying out the Euro
pean policy and designs in regard to this
| continent in our Revolutionary war, ports
ond harbors in the West India Islands we're
used by our onemy 10 the great injury and
emharra ,sment of the United S ates.
| We had the same experience in our sec
end war with Great Britain. The same
European policy for long time excluded
us even from trade with the West Indies,
while we were at paac4 with all n.toa'.-
| In our recent civil war the rebels and their
piratica and blockade breaking allies, found
| facilities in the same ports for work which
they too successfully accomplished, of injur
ing and devastating the commerce which
we are now engaged in rebuilding. We la
bored especially under this disadvantage,
that European steam vessels, employed by
our enemies, found friendly shell er, protec
ton and supplies in West India ports, while
our own naval operations were necessarily
carried on from our own distant shore.
There was then universal feeling of the
want of an advanced naval post between
the Atlantic coast and Europe. The duty
of obtaining such an outpost peacefully and
lawfully while neither doing nor menacing
injury to other States engaged the atten-
ton Of the Executive Department at the
close of the war, and it has not been lost
sight of since that time. A not entirely
dssimilar naval want revealed itself during
tfc same period on the Pacific coast The
required foothold there was fortunately se-
cnred by cur late treaty with the Emperor
Of Russia, and ii now seems imperative
that the more obvious necessities OF bhe
Atlantic coast should not be less carefully
provided for. A good an convenient port
aud harbor, capable of easy defense, will
supply that want. With the possession OF
such station by III" United States, neither
we nor any other American nation need
any longer apprchend injury or offcnse from
any Transatlantic enemy.
| agree with aur early statements that
the the West Indies are naturally gravitas-
ing to aud may be expected ultimately to be
absorbed by Continental States, including
our own. l agree with them also that it l.
wise to leave the question OF such absorp
ton to this proc So OF natural political
gravitatinn. The Islands OF St. Thomas
and St. Johns, which constitute part OF
the group called Virgin Islands, seemed to
offer us advantages Immediately desirable,
while their acquisition could be secured in
harmony with the principles to which |
have allnded. A treaty has therefore been
concluded wit, the King of Denmark for
the eoasion of those Islands, and it will be
submitted TO tho Senate for consideration
ALASkA.
It will hardly be noc'saary to call the ats
tentiop Of Congress TO the subject of pros
viang for the payment to Russia ofthe sun
stipulated for the casSlon of Alasta posses.
sion having been formally delivered to our
Commissioner. The territory remains for
= the present in the care Of military force,
/ awaiting snch civil organization as shall be
, directed by Congress.
RIGHTS OF NATSEALFZED AMERICAN CTTl-
ZGNs.
I The annpxatinn Of many German States
to Prussia, and the reorganization of that
, country under new and liberal Constitu
: tiun have Induced me to renew the effort to
obtain Just and prompt settlement of O
, long yexed question, concerning the claims
OF the foreign states for the military ser.
vica from the subjects naturalIzed in the
United States and in connection with this
, subject the attention Of Congress is respect.
| ! fully called to a singular and an embarras-
, sing conflict OF the laws.
I ! The executive Repa tment Of this Gov
, ernment has hitherto uniformly held, as il
$ now holds, that naturalization in conform.
, ! ity with the Constitution and laws of the
$ United STATES absolycs the recipient from
! his native allegiance. The courts of Great
E Britain hold that allegiance to the British
Crown is indcfeasible, and is not absoivcd
! b. our laws Of naturalization; the British
\ judges cite the courts and law authorities o.
= the United States in support OF that theory
. SS'nst the position hold by the executive
Authority OF the United States.
This contaict perplcxes the public mine
: concerning the tights of paturniizsd citizens
, and impairs the na,,.. nal authority abroad
! called attention to tbs subject in. ny
r ! st annual Message, and now again l. re
spectfuy appeal to Congress to declare th'
. national will Enthusiastically upon this inror
tant question.
! THE SLAVE TRADE.
1 The abuse OF our laws by the candestint
, prosecution of the African slave trade from
r American ports or by American citizens ha
/ altogether ceased, and under existing cir
!. cumstances no apprehension of its renewa
, in this part of the world is entertained -
/. Under the circumstances, it becomes ques
. ton whether we shall not propos, to He
Majesty's government q suspension or dis
{ continuance of the stipulations for main
y tanning n naval force for the suppression o
that trade. .-
G Signed ANDREW JOHNSON.
. WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1867
D n Bp EPAnJEA V,S upEAnU u