The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-05

| The West India islands were 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 and the beginning of the
present century. Our own country embraces
communities which at one period were colo
MOS eff Great Britain, France, Spain, Kohl
and, Sweden, and Russia. The people in
1.-THE West Indies, with the exception of those
of the island of Hayti, have neither attained
nor aspired to independence, nor have they
become prepared for self.defence. Although
nossessing considerable commercial value,
they have been held by the several Europe
an states which colonized or at some time
conquered them, chiefly for purposes of mil
itary and naval strategy in carrying out
European policy and designs in regard to
this continent. e4 -e
In our revolutionary war, the ports and
harbors on the West India islands were used
by our enemy, to the great injury aud en-
barrassment of the United States. We had
the same experience in our second war with
Great Britain. The same European policy
for long time excluded US from trade with
West Indies, while we were at pea ce with
/ all nations. In our recent civil war, the reb-
els and their piratical and blockade-break-
ing allies found facilities in the same ports
for the work which they too successfully &C.
complished of injuring and devastating COM
, merce, which we are now engaged IN re-
building. We labored especially under this
disadvantage: that European steam vessels
, employed by our enemies found friendly
) shelter, protection, and supplies in West In
dian ports, while our own naval operations
L I'll frpm
distant shores. There was then a universal
/. feeling of want of an advanced naval out
4 post between the Atlantic coast and Europe.
The duty of obtaining such an outpost peace
, fully and lawfully, while neither doing mol
| menacing injure to other states, engaged the
e attention of the executive department at the
close of the war, and it has not been lost
= sight of since that time. A not entirely dis
!. similar naval want revealed itself during the
f same period on the Pacific coast. We re
, ouired a foothold there, which was fortunate
1 " secured by our late treaty with the empe
| ror of Russia and it now seems impera
tive that the more obvious necessities of the
, Atlantic coast should not be less careful pro
; vided for. A good and convenient por
: and harbor, capable Of easy defence, will sup
: ply that want. With the possession of suci
a station by the United States, neither vi
1
apprehend injury or offence from any trans
: Atlantic enemy. / agree with our earl,
statesmen that the West Indies naturall
!, gravitate and may be expected ultimately Il
: be absorbed by the continental states, in
| GLIDING our own / agree with them, also
that it is wise to leave the question of sucl
| absorption to this process of natural politl
C cal cravitation. The Islands of St. Thoma
and St. John, which constitute part of the
: group called the Virgin Islands, seemed Il
e offer us advantages Immediately desirable
'. | while their acquisition could be secured IL
y harmony with the principles to which hav'
alluded treaty has, therefore, been con
+ cluded with the king of Denmark for tn
!, | possession of these islands, and will be sui
II mitted to the senate for its consideration.
1t will hardly be necessary to call the a
!, tention of congress- 10 ths "~ej~e. of PROVO
! | ing for the payment to Russia Of the sui
= | stipulated in the treaty for the cession {
!, Alaska, the possession having been forma
u " delivered to our commissioners. The tel
ritory remains for the present in care of mi
- itary force, awaiting such civil organizatio
'e as shall be directed by congress.
The anne xation of many of the small Ger
man states to Prussia, and the reorgan
Of cation of that country under a new and Ill
n. eral constitution, have induced me to rene
" the effort TO obtain Just and prompt settle
ID ment of the long vexed question concern
Is ing claims of foreign states for military SER
ice from their subjects naturalized in III
United States, and, in connection with thi
subject, the attention of congress is respec
'e fnlly called to singular and enbarassin
e, conflict Of laws. The executive department
to of this government has hitherto uniforml
rs held as it now holds, that naturalization,
ne conformity with the constitution and laws c
" the United States, absolves the recipier
from his native allegiance. The courts {
e. Great Britain hold that allegiance TO tn
" British crown is inalienable, and is not al
IL solved BY our laws of naturalization. Brl
sh Judges cite the courts and law authorize
ST of the United States in support of that thee
cs nv, against the position held by the execl
al tive authority of tie United States. TIL
In conflict perplexes Z! public mind concern
ing the rights of naturalized citizens, an
ne impairs the nation; authority abroad.
OF called attention to ii is subject in nay last al
lie nual message, and now again respectful
er appeal TO congress to declare the nations
ne will Enthusiastically upon this important que
N ton.
~ THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
A. The abuse of our laws BY the clandestin
:. prosecution of the African slave-trade frol
al American ports, or from American citizen;
ID has altogether ceased, and under existin
IS circumstances no apprehensions of its re
IN newal in this part of the world are entertain
r. ed. Under the circumstances it becomes
an question whether we shall not propose to He
Majesty's Government suspension or dis
n continuance of the stipulations for mail
no tanning naval force for the suppression
n. that trade.
~ ,s6geE ANDREW JOHNSON.
"a WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. 1867.
e.
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