Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


p7'esentatires
A year of peace and general prosperity to
| this nation has passed, since the last assem-
bling of Congress. 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 restored. 1t
is to be regretted, however, thatthe free exer-
else of the elective franchise has by violence
and intimidation, been denied to citizens, in
exceptional cases, in some of the states lately
in rebellion, and the verdict of the people has
Thereby b. en- reversed. I he states of Vir-
ginia, Mississippi and Texas have been re-
stored to representation in our national coun-
ellis. Georgia, the only state now without repre-
sentation, 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 recon-
struction. With an acquiesence on the
part of the whole people i'll the nation
al obligation to pay the public debt created
as the price of our Union, the pensions to
our disabled soldiers and sailors, and their
widows and orphans, and 10 the changes in the
Constitution winch have been made necessary
by great rebellion, there is no reason why
we should not advance in material prosperity
and happiness as no other nation ever didafter
so oprotracted and devastating awar. Soon alter
the existing war broke out in Europe, the
protection of the United States Minister in
Paris was invoked in favor of the North Ger
man domcles in French territory. lnstruc-
tons were issued to grant the protection. This
has been followed by an extension of Ameri-
can protection to the citizens of Saxony, Hes
Sc, Sake Coburg, Gotha, Columbia, Portugal,
Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Ecquador,
Chill, Paraguay, and Venezuela, in Paris
The charge was an onerous one, requiring
constant and severe labor, as well as the exer-
else of patience, prudence and good judgment.
| 1t has been performed to the entire satisfaction
of this government, and as | am officially
informed, equally SO to the satisfaction OF
the government of North Germany. As soon as
l learned that a Republic had been pro-
claimed at Paris, and that the people of
France had acquiesced in the change, the
Minister of the United States was directed by
| telegraph to recognize and tender my con-
| gratulations, and those of the people of the
| United States. The re-establishment in
France of a system of government discon-
nected with the dynastic traditions of Europe,
appeared to be possible project for the
| fluctuations of Americans. Should the present
war result in change TO the Frencn to our
simpler forms of representative government,
it will be subject of still further satisfac-
| ton to our people. While we make no eft
| fort to impose our institutions upon the in-
| habitants of other countries, and while we
adhere 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 were asked by the new gov
ernment to use our good offices jointly with
those of European powers in the interests
| of peace. The answer was made that the
established policy and the free interests OF
the United States, forbade them to interfere
in European questions jointly with European
powers.
Iascertained informally and unoficially that
the government of North Germany was not
then disposed to listen to any such represent
ations from the powers, and wishing to see
the blessings of peace restored to the govern
ments-with all of whom the United States
are on terms of friendship-I declined on 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 action of the United States
can hasten the return of peace by single
hour, that action will be heartily taken.
deemed it prudent, in view of the number 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, dehn-
ing the duties of the United States as a
neutral, and the obligations of persons resid-
ing within their territory to observe their laws
and the laws of nations. This proclamation
was followed by others, as circumstances
seemed to call for them.
The people, thus acquainted in advance, OF
their duties and obligations, have assisted in
preventing violations of the neutrality of the
United States.
1t is not understood that the condition of
the insurrec,ion in Cuba has materially
changed, since the close of the last session OF
Congress. In an early stage of the contest,
Spain inaugurated system of arbitrary ar
rests, close confnements, and of military trials
and executions of persons suspected OF COM
plicity with the insurgents, and of a summa-
ry embargo of all thei' properties and the
sequestration of :heir revenues by the execu-
tive warrant. Such proceedings, far as
they affect the citizens OF the United States,
were in violation of the provisions of the
treaty of 1895, between the United States and
Spain. The representation of injuries result
ing TO several persons claiming to be citizens
of the United States, by reason of such viola
ton, was made to the Spanish government.
From April 1869 to June last the Spanish
Minister at Washington had been clothed
with limited power to aid in repressing such
wrongs that power was found to be with
drawn, in view, as it was said, of the favora-
bic situation in which the Island of Cuba
then was, which did not, however, lead to re-
vocation or suspension ofthe extraordnaryand
arbitrary functions exercised by the execu-
tive power in Cuba, and we were obliged to
make our complaints at Madrid. In the ne
gotiations thus opened, and still pending
there, the United States claimed that for the
future, the rights secured to heir citizens by
treaty should be respected, and that as
to the past a joint tribunal should be estab-
lished in the United States, with full juris-
diction of all such claims. Before such an
impartial tribunal, each claimant would be
required to prove his case. On the other
hand, Spain would be at liberty to traverse
every material fact, and thus complete equity
would be done. case which at one lime
threatened seriously to affect the relations
between the United States and Spain, has
already been disposed of IN this way
The claims of the Lloyd's "Aspin.
wall for illegal seizure and detention Of
that vessel, was referred to arbitration by
mutual consent, and has resulted ir
award to the United States for the owners
of the same $40 9,702.50 in gold. Another