The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-06

Noodle,
| on the efforts to consolidate in Spain the
principles of universal liberty In repubh-
can form of Government. The existence OF
this Republic was inaugurated by striking
the letters from the slaves in Porto Rico
| This benefcent measure was followed by
the release Of several thousand persons IL
legally sold as slaves in Cuba. Next, the
Captain General OF the colony was deprived
OF the power to set aside the orders OF MS
supcriors at Madrid, which had pcrtained
to the office since 1925 The sequest Ed es'
tates of American citizens, which had been
the cause of long and frequent correspond
enCe, were ordered to be restored to their
owners. All these liberal steps were taken
in the face of violent opposition, directed by
the reactionary shareholders Of Havana,
who are vainly striving to stay the march
of ideas that have terminated slavery IN
Chrlstendom, Cuba only excepted. Unhap-
plly. however, this banelul influence has
thus far succeeded in defeating the efforts
OF all LIBERAL minded men In Spain to aool'
Ish slavery IN Cuba, and In preventing the
promised reform in that island. The strug'
gle for political supremacy continues. Inc
pro-sayery arlstOCracy III CUBA Is gradual
ly arraying itself in more open hostility ana
defiance of the home Government. while II
still maintains political connection with
the Republic in the peninsula, and although
usurplug and deiying the authority OF the
home Government whenever such usurpa-
ton or defiance tends In the direction OF
onnrrssion or of the maintenance of abuses
il still power in Madrid, and recognized
by the Goyernment-thus forming an ele-
ment more dangerous TO the, continued
Colonial relations between Cuba and Spain
than that which inspired the insurrectlon at
Yarra An element opposed to granting
any relief from mlsrule and abuse, with no
aspiratlonS after freedom, commanding no
sympathies in generous breasts, aiming to
rIypt still stronger the shackleS of slavery
and oppression, has seized many of the em
bems of power in Cuba, and under pro-
LESSONS OF loyalty to the mother country Is
eXhausting the resources Of the island, and
is doing acts which are at variance with
those principles CT justice, lberallty and
night, which give nobility OF character OF u
Republic In the interests of humanity, OF
civilization and of progress 1t is to be hoped
that this evil influence may be soon averied.
The steamer NirglnluS was on the 2jth
day of September, 1870, duly registered ut
the port of New York az a part of the com.
mercal marine of the United States On
the 4th OF October, 1870, having the Certlf-
cate of her register in the usual legal form,
she sailed from the port Of New York, ami
has not since been within the territorial
jurisdiction Of the United States. On the
3lst of October last, while sailing under the
flag of the United States on the high seas,
she was forclbly seized by the Spanish gun
boat Tornado and was carried into the port
of Santiago de Cuba, where many OF her
passengers and crew were luhumanly, and
so far, at least, as relates to those who were
citizens of the United States, without due
process OF law, put 10 death. 1t is well
established principle, asserted by the nited
States from the beginning OF national indie.
pendence, recognized by Great Britain aud
other maritime powers, and stated by the
Senate IN resolution passed unanimously
on the 10th of June, 1853 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 visitation, mo-
estatlon, or detention of sucn vessel by force
on the part of foreign power Is in deroga-
ton Of the sovereignty OF the United States.
In accordance with this principle, the re-
stOration of the NIrginIus and the surrender
OF tie sur1 ivors OF her passengers and crew
ana q due reparation TO the flag, and the
punishment of the authorities who had been
guilty OF the Illegal acts OF violence, were
demanded. The Spanish Government has
recognized the justice OF the demand, and
has arranged for the immediate delivery OF
the vessel, and for the surrender OF the sur
vivOrs of the passengers and crew, and tor
a salute to the flag, and Tor proceedings
looking 10 the punishment of those who
may be proved to have been guilty OF lie
pal acts # violence toward citizens oi the
Uuu,a Sratc,, and also tuuard indemnify
Iug those Who nav be- SHOWN To be tn1itu
to indemnity. \ copy OF protocol 81 a
conference between the Secretary OF State
aud the Spanish Minister, IN which the
terms of this arrangement was agreed 10,
will he transmitted herewith The CORES
pDndenCe on This subject with the Lega-
ton Of the United States IN CIPHER and
by cable needs the venfcatiOn OF the
actual text of the correspondence, but
it has seemed TO me to be due 10 the
importance Of the case not to submit this
correspondence until the accurate text can
be received by mail. 1t Is expected shortly,
and Will be submitted when received. In
taking leave Of this subject for the present,
wish to renew the expression of my con
vlctiOn that the existence OF African slavery
in Cuba is principal cause OF the lament.
able condition of the island. DO not doubt
that Congress shares with me the hope that
1t will soon be made to disappear, and that
peace and prosperity may follow It's abolition.
The embargoing OF estates IN Cuba, cruelty
TO American citizens detected in no act OF
hostility to the Spanish Government, 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 bearing United
States registry, has eliminated in an out
hurst OF Indignation that has seemed for
time to threaten war Pending negotiations
between the United States and the Govern
ment of SPAN on the subject OF this capture,
| have authorized the Secretary OF the Navy
to put our navy on war footing, 70 the cx.
tent at least of the entire annual approprla-
ton for that branch OF the service, trusting
10 Congress and the public opinion OF the
American peop'e to justify my action.
Assuming from the action of the last Con
gress IN the appointing of q Committee On
privileges and elections, to prepare and re-
port To this congress constitutional amend
ment to provide better method of eleCtIng
the President and Wee President OF the
United States, and also from the necessity
Of such an amendpent, that there will be