Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-12-14

hope that the Government of Brazil
may hereafter find it to its interest, as
well as intrinsically right, to advance
toward entire emancipation more rap
idly than the present act cOntemplates.
The true prosperity and greatness of a
nation is to be found in the elevation
and education of its laborers.
1t is a subject for regret that the re
forms in this direction, which were
voluntarily promised by the Statesmen
of Spain, have not been carried out in
its West Indian Colonies. The laws
and regulations for the apparent abo.
Iition of slavery in Cuba and Porto
Rico leave most of the laborers in
bondage, with no hope of release until
their lives become q burden to their
employer. desire to direct your at
tention to the fact that citizens Of the
United States are large holders in for
eign lands of this species of property,
forbidden by the fundamental law of
their adopted country. [ recommend
to congress to provide by stringent
Legislation a suitable remedy against
the holding, owning or dealing in
slaves, or being interested in slave
property in foreign lands, either as
owners, hirers or mOrtgagers, by per
sons of the United States.
1t is to be regretted that the dis
turbed condition fthe island of Cuba
continues to be a source of annoy
ance and of anxiety. The existence
Of protracted struggle in such close
proximity to our own territory with
out apparent prospect of an early
termination, can not be other than an
object of concern to people who,
while abstaining from interference in
the affairs of other powers, naturally
desire to see every country in the un
disturbed enjoyment of peace, liberty
and the blessing of free institutions.
Our naval commanders in Cuban
waters have been instructed, in case ii
should become necessary, to spare no
effort to protect the lives and proper
ty of bona .tde American citizens, and
to maintain the dignity Of the flag. Ii
is hoped that all pending questions
with Spain, growing out of the affairs
of Cuba, may be adjusted in the spirit
| of peace and conciliation which has
hitherto guided the two Powers in
To give Importance, and to add to
the efficiency of our diplomatic rela
tions with Japan and China, and to
| further aid in retaining the good opin-
ion of those people, and to secure to
the United States its share of the com
merce destined to flow between those
nations, and the balance of the com
mercial world, l earnestly recommend
that an appropriation be made to sup
port at least four American youths in
each of these countries, to serve as a
part of the official family of our Min
isters there. Our Representatives
would not even then be placed upon
an equality with the Representatives
of Great Britain and some other Pow
ers. AS now situated, our Representa-
tives in Japan and China have to de
pend for interpreters and translators.
upon natives OF those countries, who
know our language imperfectly, OF
procure for the occasion the services
of employees i'll foreign business houses
or the interpreters to other foreign
Minister'S 1 would also recommend
liberal measures for the purpose o
supporting the American lines o
steamers now plying between Sal
Francisco and Japan and China, anC
the Australian line, almost our only
remaining lines of ocean steamers
and of increasing their service.
NATIONAL DEBT.
The national debt has b been reducet
, to the extent of S86,057, ,126 80 durin!
the year, and by the negotiation of tn
ational bonds at lower rate Of in
terest, the interest on the public deb
has so far diminished that now tn
sum to be raised for the interest &C
count is nearly SIT 100000 less thai
on the 1st of March 1869. It wa
highly desirable that this rapid dimi
mutton should take place, both t.
strengthen the credit of the countr,
! and to convince its citizens of thei
entire ability to meet every dollar O
liability without bankrupting them
but in view of the accomplishment Q
these desirable ends, of the rapid de
velopment of the resources of tn
country, its increasing ability to NEE
large demands, and the amount al
ready paid, it is not desirable that th
present resources of the countr
should continue to be taxed in orde
to continue this rapid payment.
therefore recommend a modification
of both the tariffand internal tax laws
| recommend that all taxes from intel
nal sources be abolished, except thos
on spurious, vinous and malt lie
uors, tobacco III its various forms
a and from stamps. In readjusting th
9 tariff, l suggest that a careful estimat
be made of the amount of surplus rev
I enue collected under the present lawl
! after providing for the current expent
es of the Government the interes
account and a sinking fund, and tina
. this, as surplus, be reduced in sue
4 manner as to afford the greatest relic
n to the greatest number. There al
many articles not produced at hom
: such as medicines and compounde
y essences, from which very little rev
nue. is derived, but which enter int
# general use All such articles I re
W ommend to be placed Cd the frt
q list.
"a Should a farther reduction prov
is advisable, l would then recommer
% that it be made on those articl
W which can be modified without di
IS turbing home production or reducir
at the wages of American labor.
N have not entered into figures, b
l. cause to do so would be to repe
all that is laid before you in Il
e. report Of the Secretary of the Trea
a. ury.,
,e The present laws for collecting re
ID enue, pay Collectors of Customs sm'
lg salaries, but provide for shares in