The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-08
Presidents Message.

| To the Senate and House of Representatives:
A year of peace and general prosperity to the ma
ton, has passed since the last ling of Con-
gress. We have, through kind Providence, been
blessed with abundant crops and have been spared
| from complications and war with foreign nations
In our midst comparative harmony has been restor-
ed. 1t is to be regretted, however, that the free
exercise of the elective franchise has by violence
and intimidation been denied to citizens in excep-
tona cases. IN some OF the States lately i'll rebellion,
and the verdict of the people has thereby been re-
versed.
RECONSTRUCTION.
The States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas
have been restored to representation in our nation
al Councils.
Georgia. the only State now without representa-
ton may confidently be expected TO take her place
there also, at the beginning of the new year and
then, let us hope. will be completed the work of
reconstruction. With an acqulcSccncc on the part
OF the whole people in the national obligation to pay
the public debt, created as the price Of Union
the pensions to our disabled soldiers and sailors
| and their widows and orphans and in the changes
TO the Constitution which have been made necesss-
ry by great Rebellion, there is no reason why we
should not advance in material prosperity and
happiness AS no other nation did after protracted
and devastating war.
THE WAR IN EUROPE.
Soon after the existing war broke out in Europe,
the protection of the u s. Minister in Paris was in
Voked i'll favor of the North Germans domciled on
| French territory. Instructions were issued to
grant the protection. This has been followed by IN
extension of American protection to the citizens of
Saxony, Hesse, SaXe-Coburg, Gotha, Columbia,
| Portugal. Uruguay, the Dominican Republic
| Ecuador, Chill, Paraguay and Venezuela in Paris.
The charge was an onerous one, requiring
slant and severe labor, as well the exercise of
patience. prudence and good judgment. 1t has been
performed to the entire satisfaction of this Govern
ment, and, as am officially informed, equally so
to the satisfaction of the Government of North Ger
many. As soon as | learned that Republic had
been proclaimed at Paris and that the people of
France had acquiesced in the change, the Minister
| of the United States was directed bv telegram to
| recognize it and tender my congratulations and
those of the people of the United States. The re-
establishment in France of system of government
disconnected with the dynasty traditions of Europe
appeared to be proper subject for the Fluctuations
of Americans. Should the present events result IN
a change of the French to our simpler forms of
representative government, it will be subject of
still farther satisfaction to our people. While we
make no effort to impose our institutions upon the
Inhabitants OF other countries, and while we adj
here to our traditional neutrality in civil contests
elsewhere, we cannot be indifferent to the spread
of American political ideas in great and highly
civilized country like France. We We're asked by
the new government to use our good offices Jointly
with those of European Powers in the interests of
peace. The answer was made that the establish
ed policy and the free interests of the United States
forbade them to interfere in European questions,
jointly with European Powers. | ascertained in
formally and unoficially, that the Government of
North Germany was not then disposed to listen to
any such representation from the Powers and
wishing to the blessings of peace restored TO the
begerents-with all of whom the United States
are on terms of frcndship-I declined on the part
| of this government, to take step which would
only result in injury to our true interests without
advancing the object for which our Intervention
was invoked. Should the time come when the ac-
ton of the United States can hasten the return of
peace by single hour, that action shall be heartily
taken. | deemed it prudent, in view of the num-
Der of persons of German and French birth
living in the United States, to issue, soon after
official notice of state of war had been received
from both belligerents, proclamation defining the
duties of the United states as neutral, and the OBJ
legations of persons residing within their territory
to observe their laws and the laws of nations
This proclamation was followed by others as cir
cumstances seemed to call for them. The people,
thus acquainted in advance of their duties and oh.
legations, have assisted in preventing violations of
the neutrality of the United States.
SPAIN AND CUBA.
IL is not understood that the condition of the in
surrection in Cuba has materially closed since the
close of the last session OF Congress- In an early
stage of the contest, the authorities of Spain in
auguratcd system of arbitrary arrests close con-
finemendS and of military trial and execution of per-
sons suspected of completely with the insurgents
and of a summary embargo of their properties, and
the sequestraton of their revenues by the Execu-
tive warrant. Such proceedings so far as they af
ected the persons or property OF citizens OF the u
s.. were in violation of the treaty of 1885, between
the United States and Spain. The representations
of injuries resulting to several persons claiming to
be citizens of the United States by reason of such
violations, were made to the Spanish government.
From April ,1SG9 to June last, the Spanish Minister
at Washington had been clothed with limited
power to aid in redressing such wrongs. That
power was found to be withdrawn in view as it
was said, of the favorable situation in which the
Islands Of Cuba then was, which, however, did not
add to a revocation suspension of the eXtraordi-
nary and arbitrary functions exercised by the Ex-
ecutve power in Cuba, and we were obliged to
make our complaints at Madrid. In the negotia-
tons thus opened and still pending there, the
United States claimed that for the future the rights
secured their citizens by treaty, should be respect
should be established in the United States, with full
jurisdiction of all such claims. Before such an i'm
partial tribunal each claimant would be required
to prove his case; on the other hand, Spain would
thMs compctc camitY would be slIre. A alse