The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-12-15


ime fixed for the final ratification OF the orig
nal treaty. A comprehensive national policy
would seem to sanction the acquisition and IN
corporation into our Federal Union of the adj
AGENT continental and insular communities a.
,apidly as it can be done peacefully, lawfully
md without any violation of national justice,
'aith or honor. Foreign possession or control
If those communities has hitherto hindered tho
growth and impaired the influence of the Uni
led States. Chronic revolution and anarchy
there are equally injurious Each one of them.
when firmly established as an independent Re-
public, or when incorporated into the United
States, would be new source OF strength and
power. Conforming my administration to those
L have on no occasion lent support or
liberation to unlawful expeditions set on foot,
upon the plea of republican propagandism, or.
of national extension or aggrandlzement. Ihe
however, of repressing such unlawful
movements clearly indicates the duty which
rests upon us of adapting our legislative action
to the new circumstances of decline OF Euro
pean monarchial power and influence, and the
increase of American republican ideas, interests
and sympathies. 1t cannot be long before it
will become necessary for this Government to
lead some effective aid to the solution of tho
politica! and social problems which are contin-
ually kept before the world by the two Repub-
llCS Ol lllc lSldliu VI DOulluSOt anu Whesh
are now disclosing themselves more distinctly
than heretofore in the island of Cuba. The
subject is commended to your consideration
with all the more carnestness because am sat-
isfied that the time has arrived when even 50
direct a proceeding as proposition for an am
neIation of the two Republics sof the Island o.
st. Domingo would not only receive the con-
sent of the people interested but would also
give satisfaction to all other foreign nations Il
am aware that upon the question Of further ext
tending our possessions it is spprehended by
some that our political system cannot success.
fully be applied to an area more extended than
our continent; but the conviction is rapidly
gaining ground in the American mind that with
the increased facilities for mtercomm
between all portions of the earth, the principles
of free Government as embraced in our Consti-
tuition, if faithfully maintained and carried ont
would prove of sufficient strength and breadth
to comprehend within their sphere and iniu-
ence the civilized nations of the world. al
TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS. IN
= The attention of the Senate and ofsCon-
gress is again respectfully invited to the
treaty for the establishment Of commercial
reciprocity with the Hawaiian Kingdom, en-
tered into last year and already rati6ea by
that Government. The attitude of the Oni-'
ted States towards these islands is not very
different from that in which they stood to-
wards the West Indies 1t is known and felt
by the Hawaiian Government and people that
their Government and institutions are.feebls
and precarious, that the United States being
so near neighbor would be unwilling to SEQ
the island pass under foreign control. Their
prosperity is continual disturbed by expro-
rations and alarms of unfriendly political
proceedings, as well from the United States
as from foreign powers. A reciprocity treaty.
while it could not materially diminish the
revenues of the United States, would be
guarantee of the good will and forbearanca Of
all nations until the people of the island
shall, Of themselves at no distant day ,yolnn-
tarily apply for admission into the Union.
The Emperor of Russia has acceded to the
treaty negotiated here in January last for the
security of trade marks in the interest Of
manufactures and commerce. have invited
his attention to the Importance of establish
ing now, while it seems easy and practicable,
a fair and equal regulation of the vast dshe-
ries in the North Pacific Ocean.
The TWO treaties between the UNITED States
and Italy for the regulation Of the consular
powers and the extradition of criminals, ne
gotiated and ratified here during the last ses-
sion of Congress, have been accepted and
confirmed by the Ita ian Government. a1a
A liberal consular convention, which has
been negotiated with Belgium, will be sub
mittsd to the Senate. The very important
treaties which were negotiated between he
United States and North Germany and M
varia, for the regulation Of the rights Of nait-
uralizsd citizens, have been duly ratified and
exchanged, and similar treaties have been en-
tered into with the Kingdoms of Belgium and
r Wurtemburg and with the Grand Duehies Of
I Baden and Hesse Darmstadt. hope soon 70
be able to submit equally satisfactory conveH.
5 tions of the same character, now in the course
of negotiation, between the GoyernmentS u
Spain, Italy and the Ottoman Empire: tAss@
, Examination of claims against the United
E States by the Hudson Bay Company AMI the
Puget's Sound Agricultural. Company, on 40
o count Of certain possessory rights In the
: State Of Oregon and Territory Of Washington
alleged by those companies in virtu6 Of the
: provisions of the treaty between the United
: States and Great Britain of June Is, 1876
/ has been diligently prosecuted under the di-
e rectlon of the joint International commission
+ to which they were submitted for adjudiea-
ti0n by treaty between the two Govsrnmsnti
1 Of July l, 1863, and it is, expected will b,
. concluded at an earlyday. No praotioal rela-
. tion concerning thei Colonial trade and th.
7 fisheries can be accomplished by treaty be-
o tween the United States and Great Britain
i until Congress shall have expressed thsil
IS Judgment concerning the principles involved
e THEE other questions, however, between th,
: United States and Great Britain remain opss
q for I'm ~, a., - -
L of naturalized citizens, the boundary ques.
IS tion involving the title to the island Of sar
: Juan on the Pacific coast, and the mutua
claims arising since the year 1858 of the cit
7 izens and subjects of the two ccuntriesf 70
Il injuries and depredations committed undo
J. the authority of their respective Govern.
it ments. Negotiations upon these suljscts ar
e pending. and am not without hope of bein
Is able to lay before the Senate for its oonside-
d ration during the present session, protocols
rs calculated to bring to an end the Justly excl.
Is ting and long existing controversies We ar
not advised Of the action of the Chimes,
lie Government upon the liberal and auspiciou
y treaty which was recently negotiated withit
:. :. plenipotentariss at this capital. Japan 70
- mains theater of civil war, marked BY re-
: iigious incidents and political seventies Pc
n culiar, to that long isolated Empire. TIT
a. Executive has hitherto maintained strict neu.
c. traiity among the belligerents, and acknowi.
" edges with pleasure that it has been frankl,
e, and fully sustained in that course by the en-,
l. lightened concurrence and cooperation Q
y the other treaty powers, namely: Great Brit
ain, France, the Netherlands, North Germany
s. and Italy.
: Spain having recently undergone q revolu.
), ton, marked by extraordinary unanimit,
: and preservation of order, the provisions
h Government established at Madrid has beer
: recoG nized, and the friendly interoous,
k which has so long happily existed betWser
l. the two countries remains unchanged,
,s CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
, renew the recommendation contain
:, ed in my communication to Congress do
4 ted the 18th of July last, copy O
d which accompanies this message, tha
d the judgment of the people should b.
, taken on the propriety of SO amending
i the Federal Constitution that it shal
provide: