The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-18

MEXICO.
The Republic Of Mexico has not yet
repealed tho very Objectionable laws cs.
tablishiug what is known ms tho Free
Zone en- the frontier of the United
States. It is hoped that this may yet be
done, and also that more stringentmeas-
ures may be taken by that republic for
restraining lawless persons on its from
tiers. l hope Mexico, by its own action,
will soon relieve this government Of the
difficulties experienced from these causes.
Our relations with tho variolS republics
OF Central and South America continue,
with one exception, to be cordial md
friendly. ] recommend some action by
Congress regarding the overdue install.
ments under the award of the Venezula
claims commission Of 1866, The inter
nal disscntions OF this government pre-
sent no justification for the absence of
effort to meet their solemn treaty obi
cations.
The ratification Of the ExtraJition
Treaty with Nicaragua has been cx-
changed.
1t is n subject for congratulation that
the great Emperor OF Brazil has taken
the iuitiatory step towards the abolition
OF slavery. Our relations with that en-
pire, always cordial, will naturally be
made more so by this act. 1t is not too
much to hopo that tho government OF
Brazil may hereafter find it for its inter.
est, as well us intrinsically right, to nd.
vance towards entire emancipation more
rapidly than tho present act contem-
plates.
CUBA,
tits to be regretted that the disturbed
condition Of the island Of Cuba continues
to be n source Of annoyance and of anx.
icty, The existence OF protracted strug-
gle in such close proximity to our own
territory, without apparent prospect Of
an early termination, cannot be uthc:
than mn object Of concern to people,
who, while abstnining from interference
in the affairs Of other powers, naturally
desire to see every country in the undis.
turbed enjoyment Of peace, liberty and
the blessing Of free institutions, Our
naval commanders in Cuban waters have
been instructed, in case it shoull becsmc
necessary, to spare no effort to protect
the lives and property OF bona .fdc Amer.
lean citizens and to maintain the dignity
of the flag. It is hoped that Hll pend |
ing questions with Spain, growing ont
of the af1airs in Cuba, may be adjusted
in the spirit Of peace and Cancellation,
which has hitherto guided the two
powers in their treatment of such ques-
tious.
NATIONAL DEBT.
The national debt has been reduced
to the extent Of cighty-siX millions,
fifty.sevcn thousand, one hundred and |
twcnty.six dollars and eighty cents dur.
ing the year; and by the negotiation
Of national bonds at lower rate Of III
terest, the interest on the public debt
has been so far diminished that now the
sum to he raised for the interest account
is nearly seventeen million dollars less
than on the first Of March, 1860.
TAXES.
recommend that all taxes from in.
ternal sources beabolislled, except those
collected for spirituous, WINS and malt
liquors, tobacco in its various forms and |
from stamps. In readiustiug the tariff
suggest that careful estimate be made |
Of the amount Of surplus revenue col
lcoted under the present laws after pro-
eminent, the interest account of n sink |
ing fund, and that this surplus he re.
duccd in such n manner rs to afford the
greatest relief to the greatest number.
GOLD.
Continued fluctuations in the value Of
gold, rs compared with the national cur
rency, has most damaging effect npon
the increase and development Of tho
country, in keeping up price, Of nll arti.
clos necessary in every day life II ios-
tors n spirit OF gambling prciudical
alike TO national morals and national
finances. II the question can be met MS
to how to get fixed value to our cur.
rency, that value constantly and uni
formly approaching par with specie,
very desirable object will be gained.
THE Ku KLUX
Warming not having been needed, on
the It'll Of Oct. general proclamation
was issued suspending the privilege of
the writ Of hdJes corpus in nine counties
in South Carolina. Direction was given
that, within the counties so designated,
persons supposed, upon creditable infor.
nation, to be members OF such unlawful
combinations should be arrested by the
military forces of the United States and
delivered to the marshal to DO dealt with
according TO law. In two Of slid coun.
ties-York and Spartnnburg-m ar.
rests have been made. At the last nc.
count the number OF persons thus mr..
rested was one hundred and sixty-Cight.
Several hundred whose criminnlity was
nscertained to be Of nh inferior degree
were released for the present. These
have generally made confessions OF their
guilt. Great caution has been exercised
in making these arrests, and notwith-
standing the large number, it is believed
TINT no innocent person is now in Gus.
toby. The prisoners will be held for
regular trial in the judicial tribunals oil
tho United States As soon us il appear.
ell that the authorities Of the United
States were about TO take vigorous
measures to enforce the law, many per-
sons absconded, and there is good
ground for surprising that oil Of such
persons have violated the law. A full
report of what hns been done under this
law will be submitted to Congress by the
Attorney. General.
UTAH.
In Utah there still remains n remnant
OF barbarism repugnant TO civilization,
TO dccency md TO The lnws of the United |
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