Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-12-12
EATON, OHIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1S72

all parties concerned is invited to secure tina
end. tn refore recommend that a specia
appropri alton be made, at the earliest day
| practicable to enable the Commissioners OF
the part of TIE United States to return tx
| their labors without delay.
/ 1t is with regret that have again to an
nounce a continuance of the disturbed condi
ton of the island of Cuba. No advance
| toward the pacifcation of the discontenteo
portion of the population has been made
| while tie insurrection has gained no advan-
| tages, and exhibits no more of the elements
ofpower or of the prospect of ultimate sue
cess than were exhibited year ago. Spain
on the other hand, has not succeeded in re-
! preston, and the parties stand apparently
| in the same relative attitude which they
| have occupied for long time past. This
| contest has lasted now for more than four
years. Were it seen at distance from our
| neig ghborhood we might be Indifferent to its
j result, although humanity could not be un-
| moved by many of its incidents whenever
| they might occur. 1t is, however, at our
door. I cannot doubt that the continued
maintenance of slavery in Cuba is among
| the strongest inducements to the continuance
of this strife. A terrible wrong is the natural
cause of a terrible evil. The abolition OF
| slavery and the introduction of other reforms
| in the Administration of the Government in
| Cuba could not fail to advance the restoration
| of peace and order. 1t is especially to be
hoped that the present liberal Government
| of Spain will voluntarily adopt this view.
The law of emancipation, which was passed
| more than two years since, has remained uu-
executed in the absence of regulations for
its enforcement. 1t was but q feeble step
toward emancipation, but it was the recogni-
ton of right, and was hailed as such and
exhibited Spain in harmony with sentiments
of humanity and ofjustice, and in sympathy
with the other Powers of the Christian and
civilized world. Within the past few weeks
tho regulations for carrying out the laws of
emancipation have been announced, giving
| evidence of the sincerity of the intention of
present Government to carry into effect the
law of 1870. I have not failed to urge the
consideration of the wisdom, the policy, and
the justice of a more effective system for the
abolition of the great evil which has oppress
ed race and continues bloody
and destructive contest close to our border,
as well as the expediency and the justice of
conceding reforms of which the propriety is
not questioned. Deeply impressed with the
conviction that the continuance of slavery
is one of the most active causes of the con-
tinuance of the unhappy condition in Cuba,
l regret to believe that citizens of the United
States, or those clsiming to be such, are large
holders in Cuba of what is there claimed as
property, but which is forbidden and de-
nounced by the laws of the United States.
They are thus, in defiance the spirit of
our own lawe, contributing to the continuance
of this distressing and sickening contest. In
my last annual message I referred to this
subject, and l again recommend such legis-
la ion as may be proper to denounce and, if
not prevent, at least to discourage American
citizens from holding or dealing in slaves.
It is gratifying to announce that the rati-
fcation of the convention concluded under
the auspices of this Government, between
Spain on the one part and the allied Repub-
lies of the Pacific on the other, providing
copy Of the instrument is herewith sub
mitted. It is hoped that this may be fol-
lowed by permanent peace between the
same parties.
The differences which at one time threat
ened the maintenance of peace between
Brazil and the Argentine Republic, it is
hoped, are in the way of satisfactory adjust
ment. With these States, as with the Re-
publics of Central and South America, we
continue to maintain the most friendly rela-
,tion. 1t is with regret, however, I announce
that the Governor of Venezuela has made no
further payments on account of the awards
under the Convention of the 25th of April,
1865. That Republic is understood to be
now almost, if not quite, trar quilted. It is
hoped, therefore, that it will lose no time in
providing for the unpaid balances of its
debt to the United States, which having
originated in injuries to its citizens by the
Venezuelan authorities, and having been ac-
knowledged pursuant to treaty in the most
solemn form known among nations, would
seem to deserve a preference over debts Of a
different origin and contracted in a different
manner. This subject is again recommended
to the attention of Congress for such action
as may be doomed proper.
Our treaty relations with Japan remain
unchanged. An imposing embassy from
that interesting and progressive nation
visited this country during the year that is
passing, but being unprovided with powers
for the signing of convention in this coun-
try, no conclusion in that direction was
reached. 1t is hoped, however, that the in
terchange of opinions which TOOK place d ur-
ing their stay in this country had led to a
mutual appreciation of the interests which
may be promoted when the revision Of the
existing treaty shall be undertaken.
In this connection I renew my recon-
mendation of one year ago that to give i'm
portance and to add to the efficiency of our
diplomatic relations with Japan and China,
and to further aid in maintaining the good
opinien of these people, and secure to the
United States its share of the commerce des-
tined to flow between these nations and the
balance of the commercial world, an appro-
priation be made to support at least four
American youths in each of these countries,
to serve as a part of the official family of cur
Minister there. Our representatives would
not even then be placed upon an equality
with the representatives OF Great Britain or
some other powers. AS now situated, our
representatives in japan and China have to
depend for interpreters and translaters upon
natives of those countries who know our
! language imperfectly, or procure for the oc
i casion the services of employees in foreign
| business houses, or the interpreters to other
| foreign Ministers.
renew the Recommendation made on a
| previous occasion of the transfer to the De-
| partment of the Interior, to which they seem
! more appropriately to belong, of all the
powers and duties in relation to the terrific
ries with which the Department of State is
now changed by law or by custom.
Congress, from the beginning of the Gov
ernment, has wisely made provision for the
relef of distressed seamen in foreign coun
tries. No similar provision, however, has
hitherto been made for the relief of citizens
in distress abroad other than seamen. It ii
understood to be customary with other Gov.
ernments to authorize Consuls to extend such
relief to their citizens or subjects in certain
cases. a similar authority and an appropria
tion to carry it into effect are commended il
| cases of citizens of the United States, desti-
| tute sick, under such circumstances. L
| is well known that such citizens resort t.
| foreign countries in great numbers; though
most of them ahle to bear the expense
incident to locomotion, there are some who
| through accident or otherwise, becoming pen
niless, and have no friends at home able I.
succor them. Persons in his situation mus
either perish cast themselves upon the CHART,
of foreigners, or be relieved at the privat
charge of our officers, who usually, evel
with the most benevolent disposition, hav
nothing to spare for such purposes. Shoul'
the authority and appropriation asked 70
| be given, care will be taken to carry tn