Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-12-11

for determining such other kindred points
as may seem best TO Congress.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE SPANISH RI
PUBLIC.
II compliance with the request of Con-
"ress transmitted to the American Min
lister at Madrid. with instructions to pre-
sent it to the Spanish Government. the
joint resolution approved on the 81 of
March last. rendering to the people Of
Spain, in the name and on the behalf of
the American people, the congratulate ions
of Congress upon the efforts to consolidate
in spain the principle OF universal liberty
in republican form of Government. The
existence of this new Republic was inau-
guratcd by striking the fetters from the
slaves In Porto Rico. This benefcent
measure was followed by the release OF
of several thousand persons illegally held
a slaves in Cuba. Next the Captain Gen
eral of that colony was deprived of the
power TO set aside the order of his superb
ors at Madrid which had pertaincd TO the
office since 1926 and the seque>tered estate
ot American citizens, which had been the
cause of long and frequent correspondence.
We're ordered To be restored TO their own
eIS.
sLAN ERY IN CUBA.
All these liberal steps were taken in the
face of violent opposition di ccted by the
reactiouary Shareholders OF Havana who
are Vaiuly striving to stay the march OF
ideas which has terminated slayarv in
thristendom, Cubs only accepted. In
happily. however. this baneiul influence
has thus far succeeded in defeating the
efforts OF all liberal minded men in spain
10 abolish slavery in Cuba and in prevent
ing the promised reform in that Island.
The struggle for political supremacy con
tuue>; the pro->layery and aristocraiic
class in Cuba is gradually arrayiny Itself
IN more and more open hostility aud de-
nance of the Home Government, while il
>till maintains a political connection with
the Republic in the Peninsula. and although
usurpin@ and detying the authority Of the
Home Government wherever such ustIrpa-
ton or defiance tend. IN the direction of
oppression or Of the maintenance of abuses.
II i still power in Madrid and recognized
by the Government. Thus. an clement
more dangerous to continued colonial
relations between Cuba and Spain than
that which inspired the iusurrection at
Corea-an element opposed to granlu:
any relief from mSrnlc and abuse. with no
aspirations after freedom. commanding no
sympaihie> IN generous breasts 10 rive, l.
sim stronger. the shacklcs OF slavery and
oppression has seized many of the cul6leuls
oi power in Cuba. and under profess sions of
loyalty 10 the mother cOuntry-iS exhaust
ins the resources OF the Island and i, doing
art> which are at variance with those Of
Justice, Of lberality, aud OF / ght. which
give nobility OF character to 4 Republic
In the interests OF humanity, nf ciyiiiz4-
ton and Of progress, il i, to be hoped that
tins evil influence may be soua avcI,ed.
TIE vIEGINIUs AFFAIR.
day of September. $50, duly registered aS
part OF the commercial marine Of the
United states. On the 4,h of October.
$50. having received the certificate D; h.
register in the usual legal form. she sailed
from the port Of New York and has not
since been within the territorial uri-diciion
of the uitcd States.
On the 3lst day OF October last. while
sailing under the flag of the United states
on the high seas. she was iorciblv e!zaa
by Ae Spanish gunboat Tornado. ana was
carried into the port OF Santiago dc Cuba.
where many of her passengers aud crew
were inhumauly aud 80 far a, least a. re-
lates 10 those who were citizen, of the
l tnited Stltes. were without due process on
law put 10 death.
II i well established principle asserted
by the United States from the beginning Of
their national Independence. recognized hy
Great Britain and other maritime powers.
and stated by the Senate in n resolution
passed unanimously on the 10th of June.
lo1>. that American vessels on the hiuh
seas. IN time of peace, bearing the Amcri-
can nag, remain under the jurisdiction of
the country 10 which they belong. and
therefore any visitation. mole,tation or
detention OF such vessel BY force or by the
eNhlolion oi force on the part Of a foreign
power j. in derogation of the sovereignty
OF the ulted States. In accordance with
Tins principle the restoration of the Nir-
ginisS, aud the surrender of the >uryivo-.
oi her passengers and crew. and a due
rep tration to our nlg. and the punishment
Of the authorities who had been guilty of
These Illegal acts of violence were demand
ed.
SPAIN COMPLIES WITH OUR DEMANDS.
The Spanish Government has recognized
the justice of the demands. and has ar
ranged Tor the immediate delivery of IN.
vessel, and for the surrender OF the sur
vivors of the passengers and crew. and for
a salute to the ildg. and for procce,Iipp,
looking to the punishment Of those who
may be proved to have been guilty of il
legal acts of Violence toward citizens of
the United States, and also toward iu-
Identifying those who may be shown TO d.
entitled to indemnity. \ copy of a pro
tocol OF a conference between the Srcr--
tary of State and the Spanish Minister. in
whlch the terms OF this arrangem mt were
agreed to, is transmitted herewith.
The correspondence on this subject with
the Legation of the United states by
cypher and by cable needs the veritication
OF the actual text of the correspondence,
Ii has seemed To me to be due to the i'm
portance OF the case not to submit thi, cor.
re>pondence until the actual text can be
received by mail. It 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 conviction that the existence o; African
slavery in Cuba is a principal cause OF the
Ianentabie 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 embarpoinp of
American estates in Cuba. the cruelty to
American citizens detected in no act of
hostility 10 the Spanish Government, the
numbering OF prisoners taken with arms i'm
their hands. and finally the capture upon
the high seas of vessel sailing under the
United States registry. has eliminated i'm
an outburst of Indignation that has seemed
for a time to threaten war.
NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
Pending negotiations between the Unit
ed States and the Government of Spain. on
the subject of the capture, have author
lied the Secretary of the, Navy to put our
navy on war footing. to the extent. at
least. of the entire annual appropriation
for that branch of the service. trusting to
Congress and the opinion OF the American
people tojustify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming from the action of the last
Congress in appointing a Committee on
Privileges and Elections TO prepare and re-
port to this Congress constitutional
amendment to provide better method of
electing the President and Vice President
of the United States. and also from the
necessity of such an amendment that there
will be submitted to the State Legislatures
for ratification such an improvement in our
Constitution. l suggest two others for your
consideration:
First. to authorize the Executive to an
prove of so much of any measure passing
the two Houses of Congress, as his iudg-