The Van Buren press., 1873-12-09
NO. 80

terminated slavery IN CuTlbbchuUIH, CuUS
only excepted Unhappily, however, this
baneful influence has thus far succeeded
! in defeating the efforts Of all the liberal
minded men in Spain to abolish slavery
in Cuba. aad in preventing the promised
reform in that island The struggle for
! political supremacy continue The pro-
slavery aristocracy IN Cuba is gradually
airsying itself in more and mere open
hostility and defiance to the home gov
| ernmsnt, while it still maintains = politi-
cal connection with the republic in the
peninsula, and although usurping and dc
| Tying thu authority OF the home govern
meat whenever such usurpation or de6
ancc tends in the direction OF oppression
or OF the maitenauce OF abuses, it is still
power in Madrid and recognized BY the
government as an element more danger
Gus TO continental colonial relations be-
tween Cuba and Spain than that which
inspired the insurreetion at larria. An
element opposed to granting any relief
from misruls nnd abuse with no asPiga
items after freedom commanding no
sympathies in generous breasts; aiming
to rivet stll stronger the shacklss Of
slavery and oppression has seized many
of the emblems OF power in Cuba, and
under professions OF loyalty to she moth
er country is exhsusting the resources
OF tho island, and is doing acts which
are at variance with iheso principles OF
justice, liberality. and Of right which give
nobility Of character to republic. In
the interes, of humanity, Of civilization
and OF progress, it is to be hoped thar
this evil influence may be soon avertcd.
THE viKGrSiUs CASE.
The steamer Virginius was, on the 90
of Sept 1870, duly registered At the port
Of New \ ork a. a part OF the commercial
marine Of the Uaited States On the 4th
of Oct, 1870. having the Certificate Of her
register in the usual legal form, she sail
ed from the port o. New York, and has
not since besn within the territorial juris-
dictou OF the United States. On the 81
Of Get last, while sailing under the flag
Of tho United States on the high seas,
sAc was force!y seized by the Spanish
sunbe.t Tornado and was carried In 10
the port of Santiago &c Cuba, where
many Of her passengers and crew were
inhumanly, and so far at least as relates
to those who were citizens Of the United
States were, without due process of law,
put to death Ii Is well established,
principle asserted by the United States
and from the beginning of national in
dependence. recognized by Great Britain
and other maritime powers, and stated by
the senate in a resolution passed unani
mously on the 18th Of June, 1858, that
American vessels on the high seas In time
Of peace bearing the American Gag re-
main ander tho jurisdiction Of the soun-
try to which they belong, and therefore
any visitation, melestalion or detention
of such vessel by force on the part Of .
foreign power is in derogstion OF the
sovereignty of the United States.
In accordance with this priHciple the
restoration Of the Virginius and the sur
vivors Of her passengers and crew and q
due raparation to the flag, and the pun
ishment Of the authorities who had been
guilty Of the Illegal acts or violence were
demanded Tho Spanish government
has recognized the justice Of the demand
aud has arranged for the immediate de-
livery Of the vessel and for tho surrend-
or of the survivors Of the passengers and
crew, and for a salute to the flag, and
proceedings locking to the punishment
Of those who may be proved to have
been guilty Of illegal acts Of violence TO.
wards citizens Of the unitsp States, and
also to indemnifying those whs mny Gs
shown to be entitled to indemnity. A
copy Of the protocol Of a conference be-
tween the secretary Of state aud Spanish
! -, III. tha ..f thia
rangement were ssreed to, is transmitted
herewith The correspondence on the
sabject with the legation OF the United
States is in cipher and by cable, and needs
the veriica.on Of tho sctual text Of the
correspondence. ltaas seemed to me to
be due to the importance OF the case not
to submit this correspondence ua,il the
accsrrate text can be received by mail
1t is expected shortly and will be SUBJ
mitted when received.
SLAVERY IN CUBA.
In taking leave of this subject for tho
present, l wish 10 renew the expression
OF my conviction that the existence OF
African slavery in Cuba is a principal
cause OF the lamcntabls condition. OF tho
island. | do not doubt that Congress
shares with me tho hope that it soon will
be made to disappear, and that peace and
prosperity may follow it's abolition. The
embargolng Of American estates is Cuba,
the cruelty 10 Amerisan citizens detected
in no aot OF hostility to- tbs Spanish gov
ernmen., the numbering Of prisoners @.
ken with arms in their hands, and finally
the capture upon the high ssss OF ves.
sci sailing under the United States flag
and bearing United States register, cul-
minated in sn outburst Of indignation
that has seemed, for time, to threaten
war.
wARLIKB PREPARATIONS.
Pending negotiations between the uni-
ted States and the government Of Spain
on the subject Of this capture, l have au-
thorized the Secretary Of the Navy to
put our navy en- war footing 10 tho sx
ten, ar least Of the entire annual appro-
; priation for that branch Of the service,
trusting to Congress and the public opin-
ion Of the American people to justify my
action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming from tho action Of the last
Congress in appointing committee on
privileges and elections to prepare ana