Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-12-16

Element which satisfies neither their ideas
of Justice nor their grave sense of the
grievance. The rejection Of the treaty
was followed by state of public feeling
on both sides, which Thought not ia
yorable to an immediate attempt at re.
newed negotiations. l accordingly SO
instructed the Minister of the United
States to Great Britain. and found that
my views in this regard were shared by
Her Majesty's ministers. l hope that
the time may soon arrive when the two
governments can approach the solution
Of this momentous question with an as
surance of what is due TO the right, dig
nifty and honor OF each, and with the
determination, not only to remove the
case of complaint in the past, but to lay
the foundation of broad principle of
public law which will prevent future diff
ferences, and tend to firm and continued
peace and friendship. This is now the
only grave question which the United
States have with any foreign nation.
-a. CITIZENSHIP
The unsettled political conditions of
other countries less fortunate than our
own sometimes induces their citizens to
come 10 the United States for the sole
purpose of becoming naturalized. Hav-
ing secured this, they return to their ma
tive country and reside there without
disclosing their change of allegiance -
They accept official positions of trust or
honor, which con only be held by citi-
zens of their native land; they journey
under passports describing them as such
citizens, and it is only when civil discord,
after perhaps years of quiet, threatens
them or threatens their persons or their
property, or when their native state drafts
them into its military service, that the
fact of their change Of allegiance if made
known. They reside permanently from
the United States; they contribute no.
thing to its revenue; they avoid the du-
ties Of its citizenship; and they only made
themselves know by claim Of protection.
l have directed the diplomatic and consul
lar officers of the Uuited States to scru-
tinize carefully all such claims of protec.
ton. The citizen of the United States,
whether native or adopted, who discharg-
es bis duty to bis country, is entitled to
its complete protection. While | have a
voice in the direction of affairs | shall not
consent to impair the sacred right by
comforting it upon fictitious or fraudulent
claimants.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The extension of railroad in Europe
and the East is bringing into competition
with our agricultural products like pro-
ducts Of self interest, if not self-preserva-
finn tharafnrn Ainfatns ca"s;on against
disturbing any industrial interests of the
country. 1t teaches US, also, the ncces-
sity of looking to other markets for the
sale of our surplus. Our neighbors south
of us and China and Japan should re-
ceiye our special attention. 1t will be
the endeavor of the Administration to
cultivate such relations with these nations
as to entitle us to their confidence, and
make it their interest, as well as ours, to
establish better relations through the
agencies of more enlightened policy
than heretofore pursued towards China
largely due to the industry and efforts
of one Of our own distinguished citizens.
The world is about to commence largely
increased relations, with that popuIous
and hitherto exclusive nation. As the
United States have been the initiatory in
the new policy, so they should be the
most earnest in showing their good faith
in making it a success. In this connec.
ton, | advise such legislation as will for.
ever preclude the enslavement of the
Chinese upon orr soil under the name of
coolies, and also prevent American ves-
sells from engaging in the transportation
of coolies to any country tolerating the
system. I also recommend that the
mission to China be raised to one of first
class. . aHf
GRANTS POLICY.
On my assuming the responsibilities
of Chief Magistrate Of the United States,
IL WAS WILL tHo CoufiSNOu Iuoe ehiOO
things were essential to peace, pros
perity and fullest development. First
among these is strict integrity in fulfill
ing all our obligations. Second, to SO.
cure protection TO the person and prop
erty Of the citizen of our common coun-
try, wherever he may choose to move,
without reference to original nationality.
religion, color or politics-demanding of
him only obedience to the laws and
proper respect for the rights of others.
Third, the union of all the states with
equal rights, indestructible BY any con
stitrtional means. To secure the first OF
these, Congress has taken two essential
steps: first, by declaring that the public
debt should be paid, principal and inter.
est, in coin; and, second, by providing
means for paying. Providing the means,
however, could not secure the object de-
sired--a proper administration Of the
laws for the collection Of the revenues,
and an economical disbursement of
them. To this subject the administra-
ton has most earnestly addressed itself,
with results, believe, satisfactory to the
country. There has been no hesitation,
in changing officials 10 order to secure eff
fciens execHtion OF the laws-some-
times, too, where in mere party view
an indescribabie political result was like