The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-12-12

in crest, as well MS intrinsically right, to
advance toward entire emancipation
more rapidly than the present act cor-
templates.
SLAVERY IN THE WEST INDIES
! The true prosperity and greatness of
nation is to be found in the elevation
and education Of its lsborers, and it is a
subject for regret that the reforms in
! this direction which were voluntarily
promised hy the statesmen Of Spain
have not been carried out in its West
Indian colonies. The laws and regula-
lions for the apparent abolition of s!a-
very in Cuba and Porto Rico leave most
Of the laborers in bondage with no hope
of release until their lives become bur
den to their employers
/ desire to direct your attention to
the fact that citizens Of the United States
are large holders in foreign lands. Of
this species Of property forbidden by the
law, Of their adopted country l re,
commend to Congress to provide by
stringent legislation n suitable remedy
against the holding, owning or dealing
in slaves, or being interested in slave
property in foreign lands, either as own,
ers, hirers, or mortgager., by persons
citizens Of tae United States
| CUBA.
1t is to be regretted that the disturb
cd condition Of the Island of Cuba con
tinues TO be q source of annoyance and
of anxiety. The existence of pro-
tracted struggle in such close proximity
to our own territory, without apparent
prospect of an esrly termination, can
not be other than an object of concern
to a people who, while sbstaining from
interference in the affairs of other pow
ers, natural v desire to see every couu-
try in the undisturbed enjoyment OF
peace. liberty, and the blessings Of free
institutions.
Our naval commanders in Cuban wa.
ters have been instructed, in case il
should become necessary, to spare nc
effort to protect the lives and property
Of bona tide American citizens, and to
maintain the diguiiy Of the flag.
1t is hoped ths. all pending questions
with Spsin, growing out OF the affairs
in Cuba, may be sijussed iu the spirit o.
peace and conciliatius which has hi!her
to guided the two nations in their treat
ment of such quf ufs'ions.
JAPANSING AMERICAN Y0CTEc.
To give iinpoltaacn and to add to tn
efficiency Of orr diplomatic relation
with 1span and China, and to further an,
III retaining TIE coed opinion Of thos
, people, and to secure to the Unitet
States its share of the commerce DIES
tined to flow between those nations, an,
the balance of the commercial world.
earnestly recommend that al sppropris
ton I've made to suppci.t 1T least fou
: American youthss in each OF those cour
tries, 10 -erve rs 3 part Of the officis
'"rhily OF our ministers there. Ou
). representatives would not even then b
o placed upon an equality with the repre-
i sentstives Of Great Britain and som
b other parties. As now situated, our rel
q ressntstivss in Japan and China bsy
e to depend for interpreters and trsnsl;
tors upon natives of tboss countyie
who know our language imperfectly, {
procure for the occasion the services (
>. employees in foreign business houses, {
II the interpreters Of other foreign mini
ters.
would also recommend liberal mea
y ures for the purpose Of aiding the Anne
I" lean lines Of steamers now plying b
tween San Francisco and Japan and Ct
e ns, and the Australian line, almost OF
= only remaining lines of ocean steamer
and Of increasing their service.
.e THE NATIONAL DEBT.
d The National debt has been reduce
y to the extent OF SS6,057, ,126 80 durir
e, the year, sxd by the negotiation of q
[. tionsl bonds at lower rate OF interes
e ths interest OF the public debt has he'
s. so far diminished that now the SUM
E. be raised for the interest account is nes
ly seventeen million dollars less than {
the first of March, 1869.
in LET CP RECOMMENDED IN PAYING II
10 DEBT
81 1t wss highly desirable that this rap
d diminuti6n shosid take place both
nt strengthen the credit Of the country 81
ie to convince its citizens of their. enti
* ability to meet every dollar Of liabili
., without bspkrupting them; but in vie
IL Of the accomplishment OF these desil
+ bic ends, OF the rapid development
the resources of the country,its incres
ing ability to meet lsrge demands, 81
n the amount already paid, it is not de
" rsble that the present resources Of t
r. country should continue to be taxed
70 order to continue this rapid payment.
rt | therefore recommend modifcsti
ts of both the tariff and internal tax Law
REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
~ I recommend that all taxes from
= r ternal sources be abolished except tho
on spurious, vinous and malt liquo
- :. tobacco in its various forms, and frC
n stamps.
! THE TARIFF.
n. In the readjustment of the tariff
q. suggest that careful estimate be ma
II. Of the amount of surplus revenue G.
h lected under the present laws, after pl
It viding for the current expenses of t
n Government, the interest account, a
I'd the sinking fund, and that this surpl
i. be reduced in such manner as TO aflo
m the gIestest relief to the greatest nu
if. ber. There sre many articles not pl
h. duced st home, such as medicines col
Al. pounded, etc, from which very lit
- revenue is derived, but which enter in
ID very general use. All such articles
q recommend to be placed on the free Ii
n. Should further reduction prove adyi!
70 BILE, l would then recommend that it
made upon those articles which can be
n. it without disturbing home product
It. or reduce the wages of American lab'
IN | have not entered into figures becau
to do so would lie to repeat all that
laid before you in the report of the s.
retary Of the treasury.
ct prvcSJE