Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-12-10

begun between the President OF Paraguay and :
the late United States Minister. viii a, tits I'M
aerstood. grew, out Of MS proceeding IN g'ving
an ASYLUM in the United States Legation TO al &
legged enemies of that Republic, the question !
being of his right so to do
The on .stion of the right to give asylum IL
one always difficult ard often productive Oh
lied and established, foreign powers refuse
either to concede or exercise that right; except
as to persons actually belonging to the diploma
tic service. On the other hand, all such powers
i,sist upon exercising the right Of asylum II, in
Statss where the law of nations is not fully
acknowledged, respected, and obeyed, ,tl
The resident of Paraguay is understood TO
huve opposed to Mr.. Washbuin's proceedings
the injurious and very improbable charge or per-
sonal completely in the instruction ard urea
son. Mr. Washburn, in connection with this
controversy, represents that Two United o.a. say,
citizens, attached to the legation, were aroit,
rarily seized at his side when leaving the captai
of Paraguay, and committed to prison and there
subjected TO torture, for the pirpose OF procur-
| ing confessions of their own criminality, ana
testimony to support the Presidents allegation
agains' the United States minister MI McMa-
hon, the newly appointed minister to Paraguay,
having reached tile La Plate, has been instruct
ed without delay to go to Ascension. there 10
investigate the whole subject.
Our relations with Mexico during the year
have cen marked by increasing confidence,
The Mexican Government Government has II,
vet acted upon the three treaties ratihed mere
last summer for establishing the rights of natur-
allied citizens upon a liberal and lust basis, for
regulating powers and for the adjustment OF
natural claims. ,
TThe President then alludes to the
treaty last Year entered into with the
King of Denmark for the pur base of
the Islands OF st. Thomas and st. John,
saving that the treaty is still under con-
a sheraton and that unlawful expeditions
i should be repressed even in behalf OIL
4 national expansion. The treaties be.
e tween the u. s. and Italy for the regu-
: lation CT consular powers and the extra
l. dltion of criminals; the treaties between
IT the u. S. and North Germany and Ba
g varia for the regulation OF the rig 1ts
e. naturalized citiz.ns. The eXamlnatloi
c of claims against the y. ). by the HUI
u son Bay Com pany and the Puget SCUM
- Company, it is expected, will be con
f. cluded at an early day.
I'd renew the Recommendation cor
ng tanned in my communication to Con
ed wress. dated the 18th of July last, cop
Us Of which accompanies this essage, tina
or the Judgment of the people should [
M taken on the propriety of SO a.nendin
4p- the Federal constitution that 1t sha
pi, nrovije: First, For an election of Pre-
ident and Vice-Presldont by dire'
, he vote of the people, instead Of throue
i'd the agency of electors, and making Tue
lis ineligible for reelection Tor secot
O2o term.
the person who shall discharge the q
pei Ties of President, in the event OF
ues cancy in that office by the death, resi-
nation. or removal of both the Presl
cen ent and Vice. President.
late Third. For the election of Senators
.on the United States directly by the peol
no of the several States, instead OF by I
bits Legislature, and
pur- Fourth, For the Limitation TO peri
ears of wears of the terms of Federal Judg
ern Profoundly impressed with the p
c C, priety of making these important mo
our fcations in the Constitution, l respe
II Is fully submit them for the early ana
rod ture consideration OF congress.
PINTO ito should, as far as possl' ie, remove
l, en- pretext for violations OF the organic
I hsr by remedying such impertections
tile. at every time exists, untif 1 cIhHa,nnnred
an explicit an auth entic act of the W
from people, is sacredly obligatory upon
gen. In the performance of duty impo
,sa II upon me by the Constitution. I h,
thus communicated to Congress infol
last alton of the state of the Union and
ern- commended for their consideration 8,
road measures as hove seemed to me neces
q TO ry and eXped.ent. If carried into eff
tbs tney Will hasten the accomplishment
d to great and beneficent purposes. for VIII
up the Constitution was ordained j
me which it COMPREHENSIVE states w
ion Ito form more perfect Union, ests
ton io lisa justice, insure domestic tranu iii
. tme provide fo4 the common defence. n
sion m tie the general welfare and secure
blessings of liberty to ourselves and q
hat posterity."
ION In Congress are vested al legislati
''f IL powers. and upon them devoIves t
arv responsibility, as we'll for framing u
sity wise and excessive laws, as for ne Flee
it ing to devise and adopt measures abso
ue- utely demanded ty the wants of t
I'm IN country. Let us earnestly hope that
t fnr lore the expiration of our respecti
ear terms OF service, now rapidly drawn
TO close, an All-wise Providence wi
the SO guide our counsels as to strenctht
81 ana preserve the Federal Union, inspi
al- reverence for the Constitution. restcl
ate prosperity and happiness to our who
ear people, and promote ION earth. reaf
and good will toward men,"
ng (Signed
H. ANDREW JOHNSON
re-. Washington, Dec. 8, 1868.