Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-16

n'NihilieS on eltner Slue. Ureat britain ana
France have cordially seconded our PROPOSE
tons or mediation, and | do not forego the
hope that 1t may soon be accepted BY all the
beIligerants, and lead to a secure establish
ment OF peace and friendly relations between
the Spanish American Republics of the Pa
clhc and Spain-a result which would be
attended with common benefits 20 the bel
hgerents, and much advantage to all COM
niercial nations. | communicate for the
consideration of Congress correspondence
which shows that the Bolivian Republic has
established the extremely liberal principle
of receiving into its citizenship any citizen
OF the United States, or of any other OF the
American Republics, upon simple condi-
tion of voluntary registry. The correcpen>
dence herewith submitted will be found
painfully replete with accounts of the ruin
and wretchedness produced by recent earth
quakes of unparalleled severity in the Re-
publicS OF Pc u, Eucador and Bolivia. The
diplomatic agency and naval officers of the
l.. States who were present In these coun-
tries at the tiuie Of these disasters. furnished
all the reliet in their power to the sufferers,
and were promptly rewarded with grateful
and touching acknowledgements by the Con-
sress of Peru. An appeal to the charity OF
our fellow citizens has been answered by
much liberality. In this connection l sub
Swiss Republic whose government and in-
stiiution5 a-c kindred to our own, in hehaf
Of its inhabitants, who are suffering extreme
destitution. produced by recent inundations.
Cur relations with Mexico during the year
nave been marked by an increasing growth
of mutual confidence. The Mexican gov
ernment has not yet acted upon the treaties
celebrated here last summer, for establish
ing the rights of naturalized citizens upon
liberal and just basis, for regulating Consular
powers, aud for tbs adjustment of mutual
claims All commercial nations as well as
Ill friends Of Republican institutions, have
occasion to regret the frequent local disturb
anceS which occur in some of the constItu-
ent States of Columbia. Nothing hiss Oc-
Cured however. to affect the harmony and
cordial friendship which have for several
years existed between that youthful and
vigoruoas Republic, and our own. Negoti-
ations are pending with a view to a survey
and construction of a ship canal across the
Isthnus OF Darien, under the auspices of
the United States hope TO be able to
submit the result of that negotiation to the
Senate during Its present session. The very
liberal treaty wi ich was entered into last
year BY the United States and Nicarauga,
has been ratified by the latter Republic.
Costa Rico, with the earnestness OF sin
nf trade, which commend 10 the considera-
tion of Congress. The convention created
by treaty between the United States and
Venezuela, in July, 1865, for the mutual
adjustment of claims, has been held, and Its
decisions have been received at the Depart
ment of State The heretofore recognized
Government Of the United States of Vene
zuela has been subverted,a "a Provisional Gov
ernment having been instituted, under CIR
cumstances which promise durability. 1t
has been formally recognized L have been
reluctantly obliged to ask explanation and
satisfaction for national injuries committed
by the President of Hayti The political
and social condition of the Republics of
Hayti and St Domingo are very unsatisfac-
tory and painful The abolition of slavery
which has been carried into effect through
out the Island of ST. Domingo and the en-
tire West Indies, except the Spanish islands
of Cuba and Porto Rico, has been followed
by profound popular conviction of the
rirhtfulness OF Il publican institutions. and
an intense desire 10 secure them. The at
tempt, however, to establish Republics there
encounters many obstacles, must OF which
may be supposed to result from long indulg-
ed habits of colonial supiueness and depen-
dencc upon European powers.
While the United States have on all occa-
sons professed u decided unwilllnguess that
any part of this continent or OF the adjacent
islands shall be made theatre Tor new es-
tablishmenr of monarchial power, too little
has b en- done by US on the other hand to
attach the communities by which we are sur
rounded to our own country, or to lend even
a moral support to the efforts they are so
resolutey and so constantly making to secure
republican institutions for themselves. 1t
is indeed question of grave consideration
4 aIe -
not calculated to check the growth and ex-
pansion of free principles, and make these
communities distrust II not dread Gov
ernment which at will consigns to military
domination States that are integral parts of
our Federal Union, and while ready to re-
sist any attempt by other nations to extend
to this hemisphere the monnrchlal lnstItu-
tious of Europe, assumes to establish over
a large portion of its people a rule more abb
solute harsh and tyranical than any known
to civilized powers.
The acquisition of Alaska was made with
the view Of extending the national jurisdic-
tion and republican principles in the Amer.
lean Hemisphere. Believing that further
step could be tt ken in the same direction, L
last year entered into a treaty with the King
of Denmark for the purchase OF the Islands
of St. Thomas and St John, on the best
terms then attainable, and with the express
consent of the people of those Islands.
This treaty still remains under consideration
in the Senate 4 new convention has been
entered into with Denmark. enlarging the
time fixed for the final ratification OF the
original treaty. Comprehensive National
noiicy would seem to sanction the acquisition
and incorporation into our Federal Union,
| of the several adjacent continental and in
suar communities, as speedily as it can be
done peacefully, lawfully and without any
violation of national justice, faith or honor.
Foreign possession or control of those COM
munities has hitherto rendered the growth
and impaired the influence of the United
| States. Chronic revolution and anarchy
| there would be equally injurious. Each one
of them when firmly established as an inde-
| pendent Republic. or when Incorporated
| into the United States would be new
source of strength and power. Conform
| ing nv administration 20 these principles, L
have on no occasion lent support or tolera-
ton TO unlawful expeditions set on foot
upon the plea of republican propagandism
or of national extension or agrandIzement.
The necessity, however, of repressing such
| unlawful movements clearly indicates the
duty which rests upon MS of adapting our
- taTlf.ls