Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

90 To the Senate and House of Representatives:
/ A year of peace and general prosperi-
! ty to this nation has passed since the last
mbling of Congress. We have, through
a kind Providence, been blessed with
abundant crops, and have been spared
from complications and war with foreign
nations. In our midst comparative har-
mony has been restored. 1t is to be re-
gretted, however, that free exercise of
the elective franchise has, by violence and
intimidation, beer denied to citizens in ex-
fceptlonal cases in several OF the States
lately in rebellion, and the verdict of the
people thereby been reversed. The States
of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas have
been restored to representation in our Ma
tional Councils. Georgia. the only State
now without representation, may conf
IDENTIFY be expected to take its place there
also at the beginning Of the New Year,
and then let US hope viii be completed
the work of reconstruction. g..
With an acquiesence on the part of the
whole people in the national obligation to
pay the public debt, created as the price
ofour Union, the pensions 10 our disabled
soldiers. thair widows and orphans, and In
the changes ofthe Constitution, which have
been made necessary by great rebellion,
there Is no reason why We should not ad-
vance in material prosperity and happiness
as no other nation did after so Devastating
war.
Soon after the existing war broke Out
in Europe, the protection Of the United
States Minister in Paris was invoked in fa-
yor Of the North Germans domiciied IN
french territory. Instructions were is
sued to grant the protection. This has
been followed by an extension Of Ameri-
can protection to citizens of other coun-
tries.
As soon as learned that a REPUBLIC
had been proclaimed at Paris, and that
the people OF France had acqniesced in
the change, the Minister Of the United
States was ordered by telegraph torecog-
nize it and tender my congratulations
and those Of the people of the United
States Government. The re-estabiish-
ment III France OF system Of Govern
ment disconnected with the dynasty tra-
ditions OF Europe, appeared TO be pro-
per subject for the felicitation OF Ameri-
cans. Should the present struggle result
in attaching the hearts OF the French
TO our simple forms of representative gov
ermnent, twill be subject of-still fur
ther satisfaction to our people. While we
make no effort to impose our institutions
upon the inhabit of other countries, |
and while we adhere to our traditional |
neutrality in civil contests elsewhere, we I
cannot be indifferent to the spread Of |
American political ideas in great and |
highly civilized country like France. We |
were asked by the new government TO use
our good offices Jointly with those 9f Eu-
ropeon powers in the interest of peace.
Answer was made that the established |
policies and the true interests Of the Uni
ted States forbade them tointerfere in Eu-
ropean questions jointly with European
powers. l ascertained informally and I'M
that the Government Of North
Germany was not then disposed to listen
to such representations from any power,
and though earnestly wishing to see the
blessings Of peace restored, to the beliger-
ents, to all OF whom the United States are
on terms of friendship, declined. on the
part Of this Government, to take step
which could only result in injury to our
true interests, without advancing the OBJ
jectlor which cur intervention was in
voked. Should the time come when the
action ofthe United States can hasten the
return Of peace by single hour, that ac-
ton will be heartily taken. | deemed it
prudent, in view of the number OF persons
T.. - Il -, = Io
United States, to issue, soon after the Of
fcial notice of state Of war had been re-
ceived from both beligerents, proclama-
tion, defining the duties of the United
States as neutral, and the obligations Of
persons residing within the territory 70
1bserve their laws and the laws of nations.
The proclamation was followed by others,
rs circumstances seemed to call for them
The people. thus acquainted i'll advance Of
their duties and obligations, have assisted
IN preventing violations of the neutrality
lf the United States. faI
1t is not understood that the condition
IF the insurrection in Cuba has naturally
changed since the close of the last session
If Congress. In an early stage of the con-
est the authorities of Spain. inaugurated a
scheme of arbitrary arrests, Of close con-
inement. of military trial aud execution
If persons suspected of completely with the
and of summary embargo of
heir properties and requisition of their
eyenues by Executive warrant. Such ;
proceedings, as far as they effected the per-
ons and properly of citizens of the Uni {
ed States, were in violation of the treaty /;
+ 795, between the United States and I
spain Representations Of injuries re- ;
ulting to several persons, claiming TO be /
itizens of the q. States by reason of such 4
were made to the Spanish Gov {
rnment, from April, 1869, to June last.
The Spanish Minister at Washington had 7
,eeil clothed with a limited power to aid .
n the redress of such wrongs. That pow 5
r. was found to be withdrawn in view, as c
t was said, Of the favorable situation in t
which the Island of Cuba was then, which c
owever, did not lead to revolution or
uspension of the extraordinary and arbi- t
rary function exercised by the Execu
i've power in Cuba, and We were obliged a
0 make our complaint at Madrid. In the t
egotiations thus opened and standing, t
hese United States only claimed that for C
he future the rights secured to their cit t
,ens 10y treaty should be respected in 9
,uba. and that as to the past, joint tri- T
unal should be established in the United a
tates with full jurisdiction over all such c
lairus. Before such an impartial tribu- r
al each claimant should be required to
rove his case. On the other hand, Spain V
-ould be at liberty to traverse every ma P
eriaT fact and thus complete equity would !
e dorfe. A case which, at one time, G