The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-12-11

as such and exhibited a harmony
with the sentiments of humanity ant
justice, and a sympathy with thu
other erpowers of the Christian an civil
lied world. Within the last few
weeks the regulations for carrying
out the law of emancipation have
been announced, giving evidence %
the sincerity of the intention Of The
present government 10 carry into ef
feet the law of 1870. / have not
failed to urge the consideration of the
wisdom, the policy and the justice ol
a more effective system for the aboli
tion of the great evil which oppresse:
a race, aud continues a bloody de.
structive contest close to our border
as well as the expedience and the jus
tiee of conceding reforms. the propri
ETY. of which is not questioned. | am
deeply impressed with the conviction
that the continuance Of slavery is
one of the most active causes of the
continuance of the unhappy condi-
ton in Cuba. regret to believe
that the citizens of the Unified States,
or those claiming to be such, have
large bodies in Cuba of what is there
claimed as property and which is for
hidden and denounced by the laws of
the United States. They are thus,
in defiance of the spirit of our own
laws, contributing to the continuance
of this distressing and sickening con-
test In my last annual message |
referred to this subject, and again
recommend such legislation as NAV
be proper to denounce, aud if not to
prevent, at least 10 discourage Amer
lean citizens from holding or dealing
in slaves
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
1t is gratifying to- annOuce that the
ratification of the Convention. con-
Quoted under the auspices Of this
Government, between Spain on the
one part and the allied Republics on
the Pacific on the other, providing
for an armistice has been exchanged,
and copy of the instrument is here
with submitted 1t is hoped that
this may be followed by a permanent
peace with the same parties
The differences which at one time
threatened the maintenance of peace
between Brazil and the Argentine Re-
public, it is hoped. are in the way of
satisfactory adjustment with these
States; as with the Republics of Cen
trail and South America, we continue
TO remain on the most friendly rela-
tons II is with regret, however, | an
nOunce that the government of Vene-
zuela has made no further payments
of the awards under the Convention
of the 25th of April, 1866. That Re-
public il understood 10 be now al
most if not quite tranquilized tits
hoped, therefore, that it will loose no
time in providing for the unpaid bal
ance of its debt TO the United States,
which, having originated in injuries
to our citizens, by Venzeuelan
authorities, and having been acknowl-
edged pursuant to q treaty in the
most solemn form known among ma.
tions, would seem to deserve a pref
erence over debts of different origin
and contracted in different manner.
This subject is again recommended
TO the attention of Congress for such
action as may be deemed proper
JAPAN AND CHINA.
Our treaty relations with Japan re-
main unchanged An imposing en-
bassy from that interesting and pro-
gressive nation visited this country
during the year that is passing, but
being unprovided with power for the
signing of convention in this coun-
try, 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 a mutual APP
probation of the interests which may
be promoted, when the revision Of
the existing treaty shall be undertak-
en- in this convention.
| renew my recommendation of one
year ago that to give importance and
to add to the efficiency of our diplo-
matte relations with Japan and Chi
ma. and to further aid in retaining
the good opinion of those people, and
to secure to the United States its
share of the commerce that is des-
tined to flow between those nations
and the balance Of the commercial
world. an appropriation should be
made to support at least four Ameri-
can youths in each of these countries
TO serve as part of the official family
of our Ministers there. Our repre-
would not even then be
placed upon al equality with the rep
of Great Britain and of
some other powers. As now situa-
ted, our representatives in Japan and
China have to depend for interpret
ers and translators npon the natives
Of those countries. who know cur
language imperfectly, or procure for
the occasion the services of employ
ees of foreign business houses or the 1
to other foreign minis
ters.
THE TERRITORIES
| renew the recommendation, made I
to previous occasion, of the trans
fer to the Department of the Interior,
10 which they seem more appropri-
ateiy tie belong, of all the powers and
duties in relation to the Territories
with which the Department of State
S now charged by law or by Gus
.om.
, RELIEF FUND FOR DISTRESSED cITI-
ZENs ABROAD.
Congress, from the beginning of the
has wisely made pro-
Tision for the relief of the distressed
;eamen in foreign countries. No
similar provision, however, has
hitherto been made for the relief of
.itizens in distress abroad, other than
;eamen. 1t is understood to be Gus
omary with other governments to
authorize CoEsuls to extend such re-
ief to their citizens or subjects in
certain cases. A similar authority,
Ind an appropriation to carry it into
,tfaot aro commanded In Tia nn-. .f