The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-12-17

| IutlOual system VI government. gOOu un
destanding continues to exist between on
Government and the Republics Of Hayti an,
San Domingo, and our cordial relations Will
the Central and South American States re-
main unchanged. The tender, made in con
formity with resolution of Congress, OF tn
good Offices of the Government, with a viey
to an amicabls adjustment of peace between
Brazil and her allies Oh one side, and Para
quay on the other; and between Chill an,
her allies, on the one side, aud Spain on tn
other, though kindly received, has in neithe
case been fully accepted by the belligerents
The war in the valley of the Parana is still
vigorously maintained. On the other hand
actual hostilities between the Pacific State
and Spain have been more than year sus
pended. shall, on any proper occasion tha
may occur, renew the conciliatory recon
mendations which have been already made
Brazil with enlightened sagacity and com
prehensive craftsmanship, has opened tn,
great channels of the Amazon and its tribu
taries to universal commerce. One thin.
more seems needful to assure a rapid anG
cheering progress in South America. / refer
to those peaceful habits without which
States and Nations cannot, in this age, vel
expect material prosperity or social advance
ment. l-----7--
The Exposition of Universal Industry at Paris
has passed, and seems to have fully realized the
high expectations of the French Government.
| II due allowance be made for the recent DO
litical arrangement of industry here, the
part which the United States has borne in
this exhibition of invention and art may be
regarded with very high satisfaction. Dur
ing the Exposition conference was held OF
delegates from several nations, the United
States being one, in which the inconvenience
of commerce and social intercourse resulting
from the diverse standards Of money value
were very fully discussed, and plans were
developed for establishing, by universal con-
sent, common principle for the coinage Of
gold. These conferences are expected to be
renewed, with the attendance of many for
eign States not hitherto represen-e ed. re-
port OF these interesting proceedings will be
submitted to Congress, which will no doubt
Justly appreciate the great object, and be
ready to adopt any measure which may tend
to facilitate its ultimate accomplishment.
On the 25th of February, 1862, Congress
declared by law that Treasury notes without
interest, authorized by that act, should be
legal tender in payment of all debts, public
and private. within the United States. An
annual remittance Of $4,000, less stipulated
expenses. accrues to claimants under the
Convention made with Spain in 1884, These
remittances, since the passage of the act,
have been paid in such notes. The claim
ants insist that the Government ought to
| require payment in eein. Fhee sn bject may
| 10 al of rraffo
| TUE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
No arrangement has as yet been reached
for the settlement of our claims for British
depredaions upon the commerce of the
United States. have felt it my duty to de-
cline the proposition Of arbitration made by
Her Majeay's Government, because it has
hitherto been accompanied by reservations
and Limitations incompatible with the rights,
interest, and honor of our country, 1t is
not to be alprehended that Great Britain
will persist in her refusal to satisfy these
just and reasonable claims, which involve
the sacred principle of non Intervention a
principle hencefo,th not more important to
the United States than to all other CON-
mercial nations.
TERRITORIAL ACQUISITIONS IN THE WEST INDIA
lslANDs.
The West India Islands we're settled and
colonized by European States Simultaneously
with the settlement and colonization of the
American continent. Most of the colonies
planted here became Independent nations in
the close of the last andthe beginning of the
present century. Our own country embraces
communities which, at one period, we're col
onies of Great Britain, Rance, Spain, Hel-
land, weden, and Russia The people in
the West Indies. with the Exception of those
of the Island of Hayti, hav. neither attain
ed nor aspired to independence, nor do they
become prepared for self-defnce. Although
possessing considerable commercial value
they have been held by the several European
States which colonized or at some time Gen.
quered them, chiefly for purpoies of military
in carrying out European policy and designs
in regard 10 this continent. In our Revolu.
tionary War, ports and harborsin the West
India Islands were used by oui enemy, to
the great injury and embarrassment of the
United States. We had the same experience
in our second war with Great Britain. The
same European policy for 3 long tine exclud-
ed US from trade with the West lndiss, while
we were at peace with all nations. In oul
recent civil war the rebels, and their Pratical
and blockade breaking allies, found fasilities
in the same ports for the work, which they
too successfully accomplished, of injarine
and devastating the commerce which We are
now engaged in rebuilding. We labored es
pecially under this disadvantage-the Eu
ropean steam vessels, employed by our enc
mics, found friendly shelter, protection and
. supplies in West India ports, while our owl
naval operations were necessarily carried OF
from our own distant shores. There wa
then universal feeling of the want of al
: advanced naval outpost between the Atlanti
coast and Europe. The duty of obtainin
such an outpost peacefully and lawfully
while neither doing nor menacing injury t
other States, earnestly engaged the. attsn
tion of the Executive Department before tn
close of the war, and it has not been los
sight of since that time. A not entirely dis
similar naval want revealed itself during tn
same period on the Pacific Coast. The re
quired foothold there was fortunately secure
by our late treaty with the Emperor of Rui
sia, and it now seems imperative that tn
more obvious necessities of the Atlanti
coast should not be less carefully provide
for. A good and convenient port and harbo
capable of easy defence, will supply tina
want. With the possession of such static
by the United States, neither We nor an
other American nation need longer apprehen
injury or ofense from any Trans Atlanti
enemy. agree with our early statesme
that the West Indies naturally gravitste t,
aud may be expected ultimately to be Absorb
ed by the Continental States, including OF
own. ! agree with them alse that it is wis
to leave the question of such ABSORPTION t
| this process of natural political gravitatioI
The Islands Of St. Thomas and 81. john,