Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
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eUxRAL HARMONY AND PROSPERITY
"A year OF peace and general prosperity
o this nation has passed since the last -
sanbling Of Congress. We have, through
. kind Providence, been blessed with
abundant crops and have been spared from
complications and war with foreign nations.
In cur midst comparative harmony has
been restored. Ii is TO be regretted. how
ever, that free exercise Of the elective
franchise has by violence and intimidation
been denied 70 citizens in exceptional cases,
IN several of the States lately in rebellion,
and the verdict of the people has thereby
been reversed. The States Of Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas have been restored
10 representation in our national councils ;
Georgia, the only State now without rep.
Ycsentation, may confidently be expected
70 take her place there also at the begin
ming of the new year, and then let us hope
will be completed the work of recons,ruc-
zion
With an acquiescence on the part Of the
maSorifv Of the people in the national OBJ
ixssicn 70 pay the public debt, created a.
the price of our Union, the pensions tt
our disabled soldiers and sailors, and theil
widows and orphans, and In the changes
Of the Constitution which have been made
necessary by the great rebellion, there IL
no reason why we should not advance in
material prosperity and happiness as nc
other nation ever did, after SO protractcd
and devastating war.
THE WAR IN FRANCE
Soon after the existing war broke out IN
Europe, the protection of the United
States Minister in Paris was invoked in
favor Of the North Germans domiciled 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 Saxony,
Hcsse and Sax Coburg, Gotha, Columbia,
Portugal, Uruguay, the Dominican Repub-
Lie, Ecuador, Chill, Paraguay and Ven
ezucla in Paris The charge was an enor-
nous one, requiring constant and severe
labor, as well as the exercise Of patience,
prudence and good judgment. 1t has
been performed TO the entire satisfaction of
the government, and, as am officially in
formed, equally so To the satisfaction Of the
government Of North Germany.
u
been proclaimed at Paris, and that the peo-
pie Of France had acquiesccd in the
change, the Minister Of the United States
was directed by telegraph to recognize 1t,
and tender my congratulations and those
OF the people Of the United States The
establishment in France Of system OF
government disconnected with the dynas-
tic traditions Of Europe, appeared to be
. proper subject for the fclicitation OF
Americans Should the present struggle
result In attaching the hearts Of the French
70 our simpler forms Of representative
government, it will be subject of still
further satisfaction to our people. While
we make no effort to impose our institu-
lions upon the inhabitants of other coun-
tries, and while we adhere to our tradition
y pentrality in civil interests elsewhere,
American political ideas in "a g sRLsaoa i1iai
highly civilized country like France. We
were asked by the new government tn use
our good offices jointly with those of the
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 interfere in
European questions jointly with Ell
rOpcan powers. | ascertained in.
formally and unoflicially that the govern
ment of North Germany was not then dis
posed to listen to such representations
from any powers, and though earnestly
wishing TO see the blessings of peace re-
stored to the belligercnts, with 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 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 a
single hour, that action will be heartily
taken.
THE NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION.
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 belligcrents, a
proclamation defining the duties OF the
United States as neutral, and the obliga-
tons Of persons residing within their ter
ritOry, to observe their laws and the laws
of nations. This proclamation was fol-
lowed by others, Us circumstances seemed
70 call for them. The people, thus ac-
quainted In advance of their duties and
obligations, have assisted in preventing
violations Of the neutrality of the United