New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-05

cannot doubt that the continued main
taihahec vi slavery in Cuba is among th
strongest Inducements to the continuance Q
'hiS strife. \ terrible wrong is the natura
cause OF terrible evil. The abolition @
slavery and The introduction of other reform
III 'n1 administration of government in Cub
Moeid not tail to advance the restoration o
Icaec and order. 1t is greatly to be hopet
.i:,' 'A' present liberal government Of Spair
VIII voluntarily adopt this view.
Inc law oil emancipation which was passed
more than two years since has remained un
executed in the absence of regulations for il.
enforcement. 1t was but feeble step To-
wards emancipation, but il was the recogni
,ion OF right, and was hailed as such, and ex
inbred spain In harmony with sentiments OF
humanity and Of justice, and in sympathy
win the other powers Of the Christian and
civilized world.
Within the past few weeks The regulations
Tor carrying out the law OF emancipation
nave deen announced, giving evidence of the
sincerity OF intention OF the present Govern
nieht 10 carry into effect the law Of 1870. !
nave 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 Expresses a race. and con-
tinucs bloody and destructive contest close
the justice Of conccdinG reforms of which the
prOprlety Is not questioned.
-, Deeply impressed with the conviction that
the continuance of slavery is one Of the most
active causes of the continuance of the I'M
nappy condition in Cuba, l regret to believe
That citizens Of the United States, or those
claiming to be such, are large holders in Cuba
OF what is there claimed as property, but
which is forbidden and denounced bv the
laws OF the United States. They are thus in
defiance OF the spirit of our own laws, con-
trlbuting to the continuance Of this distress
ing and sickening contest. In my last annual
message l referred to this subject, and I
again recommend such legislation as NAV be
proper to denounce, and if not prevent. at
least discourage, American citizens from
holding or dealing in slaves.
1t is gratifying to announce that the ratifi-
cation OF the convention concluded under the
auspices OF the Government, between Spain
ON the one pat, and the allied Republics of
the Pacific on the other, providing for an
n'istire, have been exchanged. A COPY Of
the instrument is herewith submitted, 1t is
hoped that this may be followed by perma-
nent peace between the same parties.
The differences which at one time threat
ened the maintenance Of peace between Bra
I'll and the Argentine Republic, it is hoped
are on the way to satisfactory adjustment,
WIN these States as with the Republics Of
central and South America, we continue to
maintain friendly relations.
1t is with regret, however, announce that
the government of Venezuela has made no
inrther payments on account of the awards
under the convention Of the 25th of April,
loo6. That Republic Is understood to be
now almost, ii not quite, tranquilized. 1t is
hoped, therefore, that it will lose no time in
providing Tor the unpaid balance Of its debt
to the United States, which, having origin
aled in Injuries to Or citizens by Venezuelan
authorities, and having been acknowledged
pursuant to treaty in the most solemn form
known among nations, would seem to deserve
preference over debts Of a different origin and
contracted in different manner. This SUBJ
ject is again recommended to the attention
OF Congress for such action as may be deemed
proper.
Our treaty relations with Japan remain I'M
changed. 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 country no conclusion
in that direction was reached. 1t is hoped,
however, that the interchange of opinions
which took place during their stay in this
country has led TO mutual appreciation of
the interests which may be promoted when
the revision of the existing treaty shall be
undertaken
In this connection / renew my recon-
mcndation of one year ago, that "tO give i'm
portanco and to add to the efficiency of our
diplomatic relations with Japan and China,
and to further aid in retaining the good opin-
ion OF those people, and to secure to the
United States its share of the commerce tlcs-
tined to flow between those nations and the
balance OF the commercial world, an apprO-
priation be made to support at least four
Americsn youths in each of those countries,
to serve as a part Of the official family of our
ministers there. Our representatives would
not even then be placed upon an equality
with the representatives Of Great Britain and
some other Powers. AS now situated, our rep
resentativcs in China and Japan have to de-
pend, for interpreters and translators, upon
natives of those countries, who know our
language improperly, or procure for the occa-
sion the services of employees in foreign
business houses or the interpreters TO other
foreign ministers.
renew the recommendation made on pre-
vious occasion, of the transfer to the Depart
ment of the Interior, to which they seem more
appropriately to belong, Of all the powers and
duties in relation to the Territories with which
the department of State snow charged by law
or by custom.
Congress from the beginning OF the Gov
ernment has wisely made provision for the
relief Of distressed scamen in foreign coun-
tries. No similar provision has hitherto been
made for the relief Of citizens in distress
abroad OtheE than seamen. 1t is understood
to be customary with other governments to
authorize consuls to extend such relief to
their citizens or subjects in certain cases. \
similar authority and an appropriation to
carry it into effect are recommended in the
case Of citizens of the United States destitute
or sick under such circumstances. 1t is we'll
known that such citizens resort 10 foreign
countries in great numbers. Though most
of them are able to bear the expense incident
to locomotion, there are some who, through
accident or otherwise, become penniless, and
have no friends at home able to succor them.
Persons in this situation must either perish
cast themselves upon the charity of foreign.
ers, or be relieved at the private charge OF
our own officers, who usually, even with the
most benevolent dispositions, have nothing
to spare for such purposes. Should the au.
thority and appropriation asked for be
granted, care will be taken to carry the
benefcence of Congress into effect, that il
shall not be unnecessarily or unworthily be
slowed.
! Detailed statements Of the disbursement.
!