The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-12-13

pnblio for restraining lawless persons
By it's own action, will soon relieve this govern
ment of the difficulties experienced from these
causes Our relations with the va rious Rtpub-
lies of Central and South americs continue, with
one exception. to be cordial and friendly. Ire
commended the same action by Congress, regard
ing the overdue installments under the ava I'd of
the VenZrels claims commission of 1856. The
Internal dissentions OF this Government present
no justification for for the absence Of effort to
meet til cir solemn treaty obligations.
Tho ratification of an extrsd ton treaty
with Nicaragua has been exchanged. 1t is .
subjoc Cor copsratulstion that the Great En-
pire of Brazil has taken the initstory steps to-
ward the abolition OF slavery Our relations
with that Empire; ALWAYS cordial, will natu, al
Iy be made more so by this act. 1t is not too
much to bopeithat the Government Of Brazil may
hereafter find it for its interests, rs well as in
trinsicaIIy right, to advance toward entire eman
cipation more rapidly than the present act con-
templates The true prosperity and g%reatnes,
of q Nation is to be found in the elevation AID
education of its laborers-
1t is a eubjec &C for regret that the reforms In
this direction, which were Voluntarily promised
by the statesmen of Spain, have not boon car.
ried out in its West Indian Colonies The law,
aud regulations for tho apparent abolition Of
slavery in Tuba and Porto Rico, leave most oil
the laborers in bondage with no hope of release
uotil their lives become q burden to tn cir en-
pIoyers. l desire to direct your attention 20 the
fact that the citizens of the United States are
large holders in foreign loans of this species OF
property forbidden BY the fundamental law oil
their adopted country. / TO Con-
gress to provide by stringent legislation a suit
able remedy against the holding, oU wing oil
dealing in slaves, o. being interested in slave
property in foreign lands, either az owners, hi
rers or mortgagers, by citizens of the United
States.
Itisto be regretted that the disturbed con-
dition of the Island of Cuba continues to be a
source of annoyance and anxiety. The exist
ence of a protracted struggle, in such close
proximity TO our territory, without apparent
prospect of an early termina ton cannot be other
than an object of concern to & people who,
while a bstaining from interference in the affairs
of ether powers, naturally desire to see ey-
cry country in the undisturbcd enjoyment of
peace. Liberty and the blessing of free insti-
tutions.
Our naval commander in Cuban waters have
been instructed. in case it should become necss-
sary, to spare no effort to protect the lives and
property of bona fde American citizens, and to
msint1in the dignity of the hsg 1t is hoped
that all pending questions with Spain growing
out Of the affairs of Cuba, may be adjusted in
he spirit of peace and Cancellation which has
hitherto guided the two powers in their treat
ment of such questions. To give importance,
and to add to the efficiency Of our diplomatic
relations with Japan and China, and to further
aid in retaining the good opinion of those poo
pie, and to secure to the United States its share
of the mmcr destined to flow between those
, nations and the balance of tho commercial
world, l earnestly recommend that an appro-
pristion be made TO support at least four Amer
lCAn yOulnS In coCn OIL those countries 10 SeIVe
as . part of the oficial family of our ministers
there. Our Representative es would not eventhen
be placed upor an equality with the represent
atiyes of Great Britain and some ether Powers.
As now situated, our repres entatiVss in Japan
and c. ina, have to depend for interpreters and
uanslators upon natives of those countries, who
kuoW our Language imperfectly, or procure for
the occasion the services OF emploSes in foreign
business houses, or the inter prefers to other
foreign ministers.
| would also recommend liberal measures for
the purpose of assisting the American lines OF
stetmersnow Dying between San francisco
aud japan and China, and the Australian
line, almost our only remaining lines OF ocean
steamers and Of increasing their service.
The national debt has been reduced to the
extent oil 6,OJ7,I .6 90, during the year; and
b. the negotiation of national bonds at i low
err rate OF Interest, tho interest on the public
debt has been 50 far diminished that row the
sum to BE- raised for the interest accOunt il
nearly seventeen millions OF dollars les than
on the list of Narch, 1SG9. 1t was highly desi-
r.sbIe tina this rapid AMMUNITION should take
place. both to strengthen the credit OF the
country and TO convince its citizens of tbeif
eutne lbility to meet every dollar of liability
s. ILHOuL baDkrupLIBg them. But. IN view of
me accom- plishmeut Of these desirable ends;
Oitne rapid Development of The lesOuIc es of
the country, its increasin K ability TO meet
Lar re demands, and the anIounts already paid,
it 4. not desirable Ia at the present resources
of The country siOult continue 10 be taxed in
order 10 continue this rapid a5 mcnt There
fore recommend a modification Of both tariff
and internal tax laws. L recommend that all
taxes from Internal sources be abolished eI-
ccptrhar onspirItuOus. yiaOus, and malt liq-
"a hOC-Nbc III . " AsSr abl 4IOiH
stamps lu readJUstIDg the tariff, / suggest
that a careIulestImate DC made OF the amount
oi surplus revenue collected undert the present
laws alter providing for the current expense
o. the government, the interest account, and
reduced In such manner a. to AFFORD the great
est relief to the greatest number. There are
many articles not produced at home, such as
apu com pounded essences. nom
which very little revenue Is derived, but
cIes I recommcpd 80 be Siaced on Inc free Isl
a further reduction prove advisable, L
those articles which can be reduced without
disturbing home production or reducInS The
wages OF american labor. have not entered
INTO figures. because to do so would be TO re-
peat all that is laid before you in the report OF
the ) secretary OF the Treasury. The present
laws for collecting the revenue. pay the Col
lcctors of Customs small salaries but provide
Tor shares i'll all seizuses, which, at the prin-
ports OF entry particularly, raise the
OF these officials to a large sum.
1t has always seemed to me as If this system
must at times work perm icfOusIy. Ii holds out
an inducement tor dishonest men. should such
get possession OF those offices, TO be lax in their
scru my OF goods entered in order to enable
them finally to make large seizures Your at
il respectfully invited to this subject.
The continued fluctuations in the value of
gold as compared with tue national currency
mas a n:osI damaging Slect upon the increase
and development oil she country, in keeping
ry day-Iife 1t fosters Il spirit of gambling,
prejudicial aliEe 10 rational morals and ma
~ how to get a fixed value to our currency, |
nat value constantly and uniformly APP
sFO1tlIuG OAR With Specie, u very dCSiftlDle |
object will he gained
For the operations in the army in the past
year, the expense OF maintaining it. the esti-
mates Tor the ensuing year, and for continu-
ng seacoast and other improvements, condrct-
,dunder the auspices of the War Department.
REFER you to the accompanying report oil the
Secretary of War. / call J our attention 10 the
provisions Of the act of Congress approved
3, 1869, which discontinucs promotions
N the stan<orps of the army until provided
or by law that the number OF
'ficers III each grade ofthe stan corps be liked
that Whenever the numbeF in any one
Grade falls below the number as GXei. thatthe
trade below. 1 also that when !
he office of chief OF a corps becomes vacant, !
he place may lie flied by selection from the {
in which the vacancy exists. .
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy
hows an improvements the number and ell /
.iency OF the naval force, without material in )
rease in the expense Of supporting it, This I,
nd j. being extended as fast as our material !
Will admit, OF ueing smaller vessels as cruisers I
been enabled to occupy at once Il larger
Ntent Of cruising ground, TO visit more ire ,
AZ is desirable. and generally tischarre EN- ;
ne 81 ;,eace. without eaccediuH the number t
the tast yegr the navy has. ia addition :
, it. {. ui.r service supplied the men and 5
.~ In ,irIed Tie >UrVe : authorized by Con- e
r"-- o> Inc Inth.nus Of Darien and Tchuante- o
rc ami Under the same authority has sent out L
II expedition completely furnished md
.iuiapr: 10 explore The unknown ocean OF 2
The Necessity for increasing and improving c
ne material of the navy, und tie plan recon- Q
lcH'ied for reducing the personnel OF the SER Il
ice to II peace standard 10y tie gradual abo- o
tiun Ofccrtain graies OfOfirers. the reduc- 1
on OF others. and the en- pie yment oil some in -.
ne commercial marine. are well considered. I
nd deserve the thoHghtfu attention of Com II
Tess- l also recommend that all promotions Il
/ The navy above Capt in be by selection in s.
cad of By seniority This course Will secure 81
4 the higher grades greater efficiency, and d
ola out an INCENTIVE 10 Dung officers 10 i'm \
rove themselves In the knowledge of their a
roie->iOn. The present course of maintain b