The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-15

IL may be advisable for Congress to con-
slider what, in the execution OF the laws
against polygamy, is TO be the status of
the plural wives and their offspring.
The propriety of Congress passing an
enabling act, authorizing the Territorial
Legislature of Utah to legtimatize all
children born prior to a time fixed in
the act, might be justified by its hui
manity to these innocent children.
This is a suggestion only, and not a
recommendation.
The policy pursued toward the In
dams has resulted favorably, so far as
can be Judged from the limited time
during which il has been in operation.
Through the exertions of the various
societies of Christians to whom has
been intrusted the execution of the
policy, and the Board of Commissioners
authorized by the law of April 10, 1869,
many tribes Of Indians have been in
duced to settle upon reservations, to
cultivate the soil and peform produc-
| tive labor of various kinds, and to par
TALLY accept civilization. They are
being cared for in such way, it is
hoped, as to induce those still pursuing
their old habits of life to embrace the
only opportunity which is left them to
avoid determination. / recommend
liberal appropriations to carry out the
Indian peace policy, not only because it
is humane, Christian-like and economi-
cal, but because it is right | recon-
mend to your favorable consideration,
also, the policy of granting a territorial
government to the Indians in the In
dian Territory west of Arkansas and
Missouri and south of Kansas. In
doing so every right is guaranteed to the
Indians by the treaty.
! have addressed a communication, of
which copy is transmitted herewith,
to the Governors of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Hi
nois, and Wisconsin, urging upon the
Governments of those States, respec-
lively, the necessary action on their
part, to carry into effect the object of
the article Of the treaty which contem-
plates the use of the canals on either
side. connected with the navigation of
the lakes and rivers forming the boun.
day, in terms of equity, by the in
habitants of both countries. 1t is
hoped that the Importance of the OBJ
.iect and the benefits to flow therefrom,
will secure the speedy approval and
legislative sanction of the States con-
cerned.
| renew the recommendation for an
appropriation for determining the true
position Of the 10th parallel of latitude,
where it forms the boundary between
the United States and the British North
American possessions between the Lake
of the Woods and the summit of the
Rocky Mountains. The early action of
Congress N the recommendation named
would put it in the power of the War
Department to place force in the field
during the next summer.
The resumption of diplomatic rela-
tons between France and Germany has
enabled me to give directions for the
withdrawal of the protection extended
to the Germans in France by the diplo-
matte and consular representatives of
the United oates in that country. 1t
is just to add that the delicate duty of
this protection has been performed by
the Minister and Consul at Paris, and
the various Consuls in France, under
the supervision Of the latter, with great
kindness, as well as with prudence and
tact. Their course has received the
commentator of the German Govern
ment, and has wounded no susceptible
ity of the French.
The Government of the Emperor of
Germany continues to manifest a
friendly feeling toward the United
States, and desire to harmonic with
the moderate and just policy which this
Government maintains with the Asiatic
Powers, as well as with the South Amer
lean Republics. have given assurance
that the friendly feelings of that Gov
eminent are fully shared by the United
States. The ratification of the consular
and naturalization connections with the
Austrian Empire have been exchanged.
| have been officially informed of the
annexation of the States of the Church
to the Kingdom Of Italy, and the re-
moval of the capital of that Kingdom
to Rome. In conformity with the es-
tablished policy of the United States,
have recognized this change The rati-
tication OF the new treaty of commerce
between the United States and Italy
has been exchanged, and the Powers
have agreed in their treaty that prop
erty at sea shall be exempt from cap
ture in case of war between the two
Powers.
The United States have spared no OPP
portunity of incorporating this rule in.
to the obligations of nations. The For
ty-first Congress, at its third session,
made an appropriation for the organi-
zation of mixed commission OF adjudi-
cation upon the claims of the citizens of
the United States against Spain, grow
ing out of the instruction in Cuba.
That commission has since been organ
lied. | transmit herewith the CORE
spondence relating to its formation and
its jurisdiction. 1t is to be hoped that
this commission will afford the claim
ants complete remedy for their in.
juries.
1t has been made the agreeable duty
of the United States to preside over a
conference at Washington, between the
plenipotentiaries of Spain and the al
lied South American republics, which
has resulted in an armistice, with the