The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

give the most important parts
Washington, December O. 1878. 10 The
Senate and House of Representation :. Tho
year that has passed since the submission
of my last message to congress has, es-
pecially during the latter part of it, been
an eventful one to the country. In the
midst of great national prosperity finan-
cial crisis has occurred that has brought
low, fortunes of gigantic proportions. Po-
litical partisanship has almost ceased to
exist, especially in the agricultural re-
gions, and finally the capture upon the
high seas of vessel bearing our flag has
for time threatened the most serious con-
sequences and has agitated the public
mind from one end of the country to the
other. But this happily now is in the
course of satisfactory adjustment prefera-
BILE to both nations concerned. The rela-
tions of the United States, however, with
most of the other powers continue to be
friendly and cordial. With France, Ger
many, Russia Italy and the minor Euro
pean powers, with Brazil and most of the
South American republics, and with Japan
nothing has occurred during the year to
demand special notice. The mon
ey awarded to the United States by the
tribunal of arbitration at Geneva, was paid
by Her Majestys government few days
in advance Of the time when it would have
become payable according to the terms of
the treaty. In compliance with the pro-
visions of the act of March 8, 1878, it was
at once paid into the treasury and used to
redeem, SO far as it might, the public debt
of the United States and the amount so re-
deemed was invested in five per cent.
registered bond of the United States for
fifteen millions five hundred Thousand dol
lars, which is now held by the secretary of
state, subject to the future disposition of
congress.
In referring to the trouble with Spain the
President says: "The steamer Virginius
was, on the Goth day,of September, 1878,
duly registered at the port of New York
as part of the commercial marine of the
United States on the 4th of October, 1878.
Having received the certificate of her reg
lister in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York and has not
since been seen within the territorial juris-
diction of the United States. On the 31st
day of October last, while sailing under the
flag of the United States on the high seas,
she was forcibly seized by the Spanish gun
boat Tornado and carried into the port of
Santiago de Cuba, where many of her pas
sengers and crew were inhumanly treated,
and go far at least as relates to those who
were citizens of the United States, were
without due process of law put to death.
1t is well established principle, asserted
by the United States from the beginning of
their national independence, recognized by
Great Britain and other maritime powers,
and stated by the senate in resolution
passed on the 10th of June, 1858, that
American vessels on the high seas in time
of peace bearing the American flag remain
under the jurisdiction of the country to
which they belong, and therefore any visi-
tation, molestations or detention of such
vessels by force or by the exhibition of
force on the part of a foreign power, is in
derogation of the sovereignty of the United
States. In accordance with this principle
the restoration of the Virginius and the
surrender of tho survivors of her passengers
and crew, and due reparation to the flag
and the punishment of the authorities who
had been guilty of the illegal acts or vio-
lence were demanded. The Spanish gov
ernment has recognized the justice of the
demand and has arranged for the imme-
date delivery of the vessel and of the sur
render of the survivors of the passengers
and crew and for a salute to the flag and
for proceedings looking to the punishment
of those who may be proud to have been
guilty of illegal acts of violence towards
citizens of the United States and also to
towards indemnifying those who may have
been shown to be entitled to indemnity"
"In taking leave of this subject for tho
present wish to renew the expression of
my conviction that the existence of African
slavery in Cuba is principal cause Of the
lamentable condition of the island do
not doubt that congress shares with me
the hope that it will soon be made to dis
appear and that peace and prosperity may
follow its abolition"
The embargoing Of American estates in
Cuba, cruelty to American citizens detected
in no act of hostility to the Spanish gov
ernment, the numbering of prisoners taken
with arms in their hands, and finally the
capture, upon the high seas, of vessel
sailing under the United States flag and