Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-12-10

position is to be the first which will have been
held IN eastern Europe, it is believed that
American inventors and anufacturers will
be ready to avail themselves of the oppors
tunity for the presentation of their produc,
tions. if encouraged by proper aid and protec>
ton.
AT the last session of Congress authority
was given for the appointment OF one or more
agents represent this government at the ex-
position. The authority thus given has been
exercised, but in the absence of any appro>
priation, there is danger that the important
benefits which the occasion offers will, in a
large degree, be lost to citizens of the United
States.
l commend this subject especially to your
consideration, and recommend that an ade-
-quate appropriation be made for the purpose
10 further aid American exhibitors at the
Vienna exposition would recommend. in ad-
clifton to an appropriation of money, that the
Secretary of the Navy be authorized to fit up
two naval vessels to transport between our
Atlantic cities and Trieste, or the most con.
venient port to Vienna and back, their arti-
cles for exhibition.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Since your last session the President of the
Mexican Republic, distinguished by his high
character and by his service to his country,
has died. His temporary successor has now
been elected with great unanifnity by the peo>
pie, proof of confidence on their part in his
patriotism and wisdom, which, it is believed.
will be confirmed by the results of his admin
lstration. 1t is particularly desirable that
nothing should be left undone by the govern
ment of either republic to strengthen their
relations as neighbors and friends
1t is much to be regretted that many law,
less acts continue to disturb tho quiet of the
settlements on the border between our terri>
tory and that of Mexico, and that complaints
of wrongs to American citizens in various
parts of the country are made. The revolu-
tionary condition in which tho neishboripe
republic has SO long been involved has in
some degree contributed to this disturbance.
1t is to be hoped that, with more settled
rule of order through the republic which NAV
be expected from the present government, the
acts OF which just complaint is made will cease.
The proceedings of the commission under
the convention with Mexico of the 9TH of
July, 1868. on the subject of claims, have
unfortunately been checked by .an obstacle.
for the removal of which measures have e been
taken by the two governments, which, it is
believed, will prove successful.
The commissioners appointed pursuant to
the joint resolution of Congress of the 7th of
May last, to inquire into 'depredations on the
Texan frontier, have diligently made investi.
cations in that quarter. Their report upon
the subject will be communicated to YOU
Their researches were necessarily incomplete,
partly on account of the limited appropri-
alton made by Congress. Mexico, on the part
OF that government, has appointed similar
commission to investigate these outrages. 1t
is not announced officially, but the press of
that country state that the fullest investiga.
t'on Is desired, and that the cooperation of
all parties concerned is invited to secure that
end. therefore recommend that special
appropriation he made at the earliest day prac
tlcabe to enable the commissioners on the part
OF the United States to return to their labors
without delay.
1t is with regret that [ have again to an
nouncc continuance of the disturbed con-
dition of the Island of Cuba No advance
towards the paciGcation of the discoutented
part OF the population has been made. whilst
the lnsurrectlon has gained no advantage and
exhibits no more of the elements of power. or
OF the prospects of ultimate success, than
were exhibited year ago. Spain, on the
other hand, has not succeeded in its reprcs-
sion, and the parties stand apparently in the
same relative atttnde which they have occu.
pied tor long time past. The contest has
lasted now for more than four years Were
its scene at a distance from our neighborhood
we might be Indifferent to it's result, although
humanity could not be unmoved by many of
its incidents, however they might occur. Tt
Is, however, at our door.
L cannot doubt that the continued main>
tenance of slavery IN Cuba is among the
strongest Inducements to the continuance of
the strife. A terrible wrong is the natural
cause of terrible evil The abolition of
slavery and the introduction of other reforms
IN the administration of government in Cuba
could not fail to advance the restoration of
peace and order. 1t is greatly to be hoped
that the present liberal government of Spain
Will voluntarily adopt the law of emancipation
which was passed more than two years since,
and has remained unexecuted in the absence
of regulations for its enforcement
1t was but feeble step towards emancipa-
ton, but it was the recognition of right and
was hailed as such and exhibited Spain in
harmony with the sentiments of humanity and
of justice and in sympathy with the other
powers of the Christian and civilized world.
Within the past few weeks the regulations for
carrying out the law of emancipation have
been announced, giving evidence of the sin>
cerity Of the Intention of the present govern
ment to carry into effect the law of 1870.
have not failed to urge the consideration
of the wisdom of the policy and the justice
OF more effective system for the abolition of
the great evil which oppresses race, and
continues bloody and destructive contest
close to our own border, as we'll as the expe-
diency and the justice of conceding reforms,
the propriety of which is not questioned
Deeply impressed with the conviction that the
continuance of slavery is one of the most ac-
tive causes of the continuance of the unhappy
condition in Cuba, regret to believe that
citizens of the United States, or those claim
ing to be such, are large holders in Cuba of
what is there claimed as property, but which