New-York tribune., 1870-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

have through q kind Providence, been blessed with
abundant crops and have been spared from compiled
tons and war with foreign nations In our midst COM
narrative harmony has been restored 1t is TO be re-
,,,d ,o,,evor that n free exercise OF the elective
franchise has by violence and intimidation been denied
IN citizens I'm exceptional in several OF the States
lately I'm rebellion and that the verdict OF the people has
thereby been reversed The States Of Virginia. missis
pui and Texas have been restored TO representation
in our national councils. Georgia, the only State
now without a representation, may confidently be
expected to take her place there, also
a The beginning of the new year and then, let hope
will be completed the work Of reconstruction, with
an acquiescence the part OF the whole people
in the national obligation to pay the public debt created
a. the price OF Union, the pensions TO disabled
soldiers and and their widows and orphans, and
in the Constitutional changes which have been made
necessary by great rebellion there ia no reason why
we hoad not advance in material prosperity and happ
ness as 10 other nation has after protracted and de-
yastatlng q war.
THE FRASCo-GERMAH WAR.
Soon after the existing broke in Europe the
protection Of the United States Minister in Paris In
voked in favor OF the North Germans domced I'm French
territory Instructions issued TO grant the protec
ton. This has been followed by an extension
OF American protection to citizens OF saxony
Hesse and SAKE COburg Gotha, Colombia, Portu-
gal, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Chill Paraguay, and Venezuela, in Paris. The charge
one requiring constant and severe labor
wei the exercise Of patience, prudence, and good
Judgment It has been performed to the entire satsfac
ton OF the Government and, officially informed
equally 10 the sat sacion Of the Government Of North
Germany.
As soon rs I learned that Repablio had been
proclaimed at Paris, and that the people OF France
had acquesced the change the Minister Of the United
States directed by telegraph to recognize and tender
my congratulations and those OF the people Of the United
n
government disconnected with the dynastic traditions
of Europe appeared to proper subject for the fec
tatiOns of Americans.
Should the present struggle result in attracting the
hearts OF the French TO simpler forms OF representa-
tive government It will be subject Of still further salts
faction TO people While make no effort to impose
our institutions upon the inhabitants Of other countries
and While adhere to our traditional neutral
ity in civil contests cannot be Indifferent
the spread Of American political ideas in great and
highly civilized country like France
We were asked by the Government to use
good Offices Jointly with those of European
Powers in the interest OF peace. Answer was
made that the established policy and the true
interests OF the United States forbade them TO In
terfcre in European questions Jointly with European
Powers. 1 ascertained, informally and unoficially
that the Government OF North Germany was
not then disposed TO listen 10 such representa-
tions from any Powers; and, though earnestly
wishing 10 see the blessings OF peace restored 10
tie bcgerents with all Of whom the United States arc
on terms Of friendship declined the part Of this Gov
ernmcnt take step which would only result In in
jury interests without advancing the object
for which our intervention 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 II prudent in view Of the number Of persons OF
German and French birth living in the United States
70 ISSUE soon after official notice Of state OF war had
been received from both the begerents proclamation,
defining the duties OF the United states neutral and
the obligations OF persons residing within their ter
rtory to observe their laws and the laws OF nations
This proclamation followed by others, crcum-
stances seemed TO call for them. The people, thus in
formed IN advance as their duties and obligations
have assisted in preventing violations OF the neutrality
Of the United states.
THE CUBAN HsURREcTIoS.
It not understood that the condition OF the nsur
rccon in Cuba has materially changed since the close Of
the last session Of Congress In early stage OF the
contest the authorities Of Spain naugurated system Of
arbitrary arrests, Of close confinement and OF military
trial and execution Of persons suspected OF completely
with the insurgents, and of summary embargo of their
properties and sequestraton Of their by
tive warrant Such proceedings, so far they
affected the persons or property OF citizens Of
the United States, were in violation Of the
provisions Of the treaty Of 1895, between the United
States and spain. Representations Of injuries by reason
o! such violations resulting to several persons claiming
TO be citizens Of the United States, were made TO the
Spanish Government From April 1862 TO June last the
Spanish Minister at Washington had been clothed with
limited power TO aid In redressng such wrongs That
power found to be withdrawn, in vew" as it was
said, "o the favorable situation in which the Island Of
Cuba then was" which, however did not lead TO reyoca
ton suspension Of the rbtrary func
tons exercised by the executive power in Cuba and we
obliged to make our complaints at Madrid.
In the negotiations thus opened, and still pending
there the United States only claimed that for the future
the rights secured to their citizens by treaty should he
respected in Cuba and that as to the past Joint tri
bulal should be established in the United States with
full jurisdiction all such claims Before such an i'm
partial tribunal, each claimant would be required 10
prove his On the other hand, Spain would be at
liberty TO traverse everyt material fact; and thus
complete equity would be secured. A case
which at one time threatened seriously TO
affect the relations between the United States
and Spain has already been disposed Of in this way The
claim Of the Col. Lloyd Aspinwal, for the Illegal seizure
and detention Of that vessel to arbitration
by mutual consent and has resulted in award 10 the
United States for the owners the same Of sI97O2 So
In gold.
Another and longpendng claim Of like nature that OF
the UhaeShip Canada has been disposed OF by friendly
arbitration during the present year It was referred by
the Joint consent Of Brazil and tho United
States, to the decision OF Sir Edward Thornton
Her Britannia Muesty's Minister at Washing
ton, who kindly undertook the laborious task
OF examining the vouminous mass OF correspond
once and testimony submitted by the two governments
and awarded to the United States the Of sO7IO o.
IN gold which has since been paid by the Imperial Gov
ernmcnt. These recent examples show that the mode
which United States have proposed to Spain for adj
iusng the pending claims is Just and feasible and that
1t may be agreed 10 by either without dshonor
1t TO be hoped that this moderate demand may be ao
ceded TO by Spain without further delay Should the
pending negotiations unfortunately and unexpectedly
be without result IL will then become my duty TO com
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