Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-03

lnelr families, under the proNislons OF Tue act
4 approved July 10, 1858. The children OF such
are 20 be seemed and taken 10 be citizens OF
the United states, but the rights Of citizen
hip are not 70 descend Tsss 70 Per9ns whose
state. 1t thus happens that persons
who have ever resided within the United
States have been enabled 20 put forward a
pretenton % protection Of the United states,
amongst their claim of military service OF the
government under whose protection they
were born and have been reared. In some
cases naturaliEed citizens of the United
states have returned 10 the land OF their birth
4 70 remain there, and their Children er issue OF
\ and who have neVef been in the United
states, have laid claim to our protection when
the lapse OF many years have imposed upon
them the duty OF military service 10 the
only government which had ever known
them personally. Until the year 1855 il was
left embarrassed ~ conflicting opinions
OF the courts and wrists 10 determine how
| far the doctrine Of allegiance, derived from
our former COLONIAL relations with Great
| Britain, was applicable to American citizens.
/ Congress then wisely swept these doubts away
/ by enacting that any declaration, cOnstruc-
! ton, opinion, order OF decision OF any officer
| of the government which denies, restricts,
/ impairs or questions The right Of expatria-
] ton Is Inconsistent with the fundamental
| principle Of this government. But congress
did not enact In that statute, nor has IL since
! done so, what acts are to be deemed TO work
| expatriatiOn. For my own guidance in de-
termlnlng such questions required under the
| provisions OF the constitution, the opinion
| IN writing, Of the principal officer in each OF
| the executive departments, satisfies me that
iurther legislation has become nee
Ject to the consideration Of congress,
| and transmit herewith copies OF the several
opinions OF the principal officers OF the ex-
eeutive departments, together with other cor
reSpOndence and prominent Information on
| the same subject. The United states, who
/ led the way in the overthrow Of the feudal
doctrine Of perpetual allegiance, are among
/ the last TO indicate how their own citizens
may elect another nationality. The
L nan AarFeff ted raj
I Is necessary TO place US on par with
other leading nations in Hberality OF
legislation IN this International question.
| We have already in our treaties asserted 10
the principles which would need 10 be en-
bodied in laws intended 10 accomplish such
/ results. We have agreed that citizens OF the
United States may cease 10 be citizens, and
may voluntarily render allegiance TO other
powers. We have agreed that residence in
foreign land without intent to return, shall
Of itself work expatristion. We have agreed
in some instances upon the length OF time
necessary for such intent. I invite congress
| 10 work out and define when and how expa-
triatlOn can be accomplished 10 regulate by
/ law the condition OF American women mar
| rying foreigners; to tx the status Of chill
dren born IN a foreign country OF American
| parents, residing more or less permanently
abroad, and to TX rules for determining such
other kindred points as may seem best 70
congress.
THE SPANISH REPUBLIC AND SLAVERY
IN CUBA.
In compliance with the request OF congress,
l transmitted TO the American m mister at
Madrid, with Instructions 10 present il to the
Spanish eortes, the Joint resolution approved
on the third Of March last, rendering 10 the
pt Ople Of spain, in the name, and on behalf
Of the American people, the congratulations
OF congress upon the efforts 20 consolidate IN
spain the principles OF universal liberty, in a
republican form Of government, The exist
ence OF this new republic wasVnauguTated by
striking the fetters from the slaves in Porto
Rico. This benefcent measure was followed
by the release of several thousand persons il
Crla hfafN Hn
and the captain general OF thar colony was
deprived OF the power 10 set aside
the orders Of his superiOrs at Madrid, which
had pertalned 10 the Office since 1875. The Sc
questered estates Of American citizens, which
had been the cause Of long and frequent cor
respOndence, were ordered 10 be restored 10
their owners. All these liberal steps were Ia
ken in the face o. violent opposition, directed
by the reacuonary shareholders OF Havana,
ideas, has terminated slavery IN christendOm,
Cuba only excepted. Unhappily, how
eyer, this baneipl influence has
the efforts Of all liberal-minded men in spain
to abolish slavery in Cuba, and in preventing
the promised reform in that island The
struggle for political supremacy continues.
The pIO-slaveIy aristOcrat II CuOa is gradu-
ally arraigning itself in more and more open
hostility and defiance Of the home govern
ment, while ii still maintains political con-
nectiOn with the republic in the peDinsular;
and although usurping and defying the
authority OF the home government,
wherein such usurpation or defiance
tends in the dissatisfaction of the
oppression or OF the maintenance Of prO-sla-
very abuses. II is still a power in Madrid,
and recognized by the government. Thus an
element more dangerous 10 continued colo
NAL relations between spain and Cuba than
that which inspired the insurrectiOn at ara. |
an element opposed 70 granting any relief
from misrule and abuse, with no aspirations
after freedom, commanding no sympa-
thies in generous breasts, aiming 10
rivet still stronger the shackles o. sla- !
very and oppression, has seized many /
Of the emblems Of power in Cuba, and, under |
professions Of loyalty to the mother country, !
is exhausting the resources OF thesiSland, and |
is doing acts which are az variance with those |
principles Of justice, Of liberty, and OF right,
which give nobility OF character TO q rPpub- |
lie. In the interest Of humanity, of clviliZa- |
tiOn and progress, II is to be hoped that this |
evil influence may be averted.
THE CAPTURE OF THE VIRGINIUS AND
THE DEMANDS OF OUR GOVERN |
MENT.
The steamer NirginiCs was, on the twenty
sixth day Of september, 1910, duly registered |
al the port OF New Ork as a part Of the com 4
mercial marine Of the United states. On the |
fourth Of October, lS70, having received the |
certificate OF her register in the usual legal |
forms, she sailed from the port OF New York, |
and has not since been within the territorial |
jurisdiction OF the United States. On the
thirty -hrsI day of October last, while sailing 1
under the flag OF the United states on the |
high seas she was fOrclbly seized by the SPAN
ish gunbOat Tornado, and was carried INTO
the port of santiago de Cuba, where many
Of the passengers and crew were inhumanly,
aud so far, at least, as relates 10 those who
were citizens of the United States, were,
without due process Of law, put 70 death. II
Is a well-established principle, asserted 10y the
United States from the beginning OF their ma
uiOnai Independence, recognized by Great
Britain and other maritime power, and stated
by the senate in a resolution passed unanl-
mously on the sixteenth Of June, lo5S, that
American vessels on the high seas in time OF
peace, bearing the American flag, remain un-
der the jurisdiction Of the country OF which
they belong; and therefore any visitation, or
a
force on the part OF foreign power is in de-
rOgatiOn Of the sovereignty of the United
states. In accordance with TINS principle me
restoration OF the Nlrgln1u 1us,and the surrender
OF the survivors Of her passengers and crew,
and due reparatiOn 10 the nag, and the pun
ishment OF the authorities who had been
guilty of the illegal acts Of violence, were de-
manded. The Spanish government has recog-
nized the justice Of the demand, and has ar
ranged for the immediate delivery Of the YES
sci, and for the surrender Of the survivors OF
the passengers and crew, and for salute 10
the flag, and for the proceeding looking 70 the
punishment OF those VINO may De proved
to have been guilty OF illegal acts of violence
toward citizens OF the United states, and also
toward indemnifying those who may be shown
10 be entitled TO indemnity. A copy OF pro-
tOcol Of conference between the secretary OF
stat and the Spanish minister, in which the
terms of this arrangement We're agreed 10, is
transmitted herewith. The correspondence
on this sub ect with the legation otthe United
States, in cipher and by caDle, needs the verifi-
cation OF the actusl text OF the
to be due TO the importance Of the case, not
20 submit the correspondence until the accu-
rate text can be received by mail. II is eX-
pected shortly, and viii be submitted when
received. IN taking leGVe OF this subject for
the present wish 10 renew the expression OF
my conviction that the existence Of African
slavery in CUBA IS q principal cause of the
laInentable condition Of the island. I do not
doubt that congress shares with me the hope
tnat il will soon be made to disappear, ana
peace and prosperity may follow its abolition.
The embargoing OF American estates
in Cuba, cruelty 70 American citizens
detected in no act OF hostility
10 the spanish government, the numbering
Of prisoners taken with arms In their hands,
aud finally the capture upon the hlgh seas OF
and bearing a United States registry, has Gull
minated in an Outburst OF indignation that
has seemed for a time to threaten war. Pend
ing negotiations batween the United states
and the government Of Spain on the subject
OF this capture, have authorized the sccre-
tary OF the navy 10 put our navy on a war
footing, 20 the extent az least Of the entire an
nual appropriation Tor that branch OF the
service, Trusting TO congress and the public
opinion OF the American people 70 justify
my action.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Assuming from the action Of the last con-
gress, appointing a committee on privileges
and elections u prepare and report 70 this
congress a constitutional amendment 10 pro
vide better method Of electing the President
and Nice-President Of the United states, and
also from The necessity Of such an amend
ment, that there Will be submitted 10 the
state legislatures for Tati hc6tiOn such an lml-
prOVement in eur consUtutlin. i Sug-
gest two Of these for your consideration:
First, to authorize the executive 70 approve
OF so much OF any measure passing the TWO
houses OF congress as his judgement may die
tate, without approving the whole, the dis
approved portion or portions 20 be subjected
10 the same rules as nov, tO-wit; To o. re
ferred back to the house in which the
measure OF measures originated, and If passed
by a tWO-thirds vote OF the two houses, then
10 become q law without the approval OF the
President 7 would add 70 this provision
that there should be no legislation by
congress during the last twenty-fOur hours OF
Its sitting except upon veJOes, in order and TO
give the executive an opportunity to exam
that when an extra session OF congress is con-
Yened by executive proclamation, legislation
during the continuance Of such extra session