Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-12-11

itself in more and more open hostility and de-
fiance of the home Government, while it stl
maintains political connection with the Re
public in the peninsula, and although usurr-
ing and defying the authority of tho home
Government whenever such usurpation or de-
fauce tends In the direction of oppression or
Of the maintenance of abuses, it is still "a
power in Madrid and recognized by the Gov
ernment,-thus forming an element more
dangerous To the continued colonial relations
between Cuba and Spain than that which in
spIred the instruction at Yarra. An element
opposed to granting any relief from misrule
and abuse, with no aspirations after freedom,
commanding no sympathies in generous
breasts, aiming to rivet still stronger the
shackles of slavery and oppression. has selzed
many of the emblems of power in Cuba, aud
under professions of loyalty to the mother
country is exhausting the resources Of the isl
and and is doing acts which at variance
with those principles of justice, ibsralits, and
right, which give nobility of character to a
Republic. In the interests of humanity, of
civilization and of progress, it Ia to be hoped
that this evil influence may soon be averted.
The steamer Virginius was, on the 26th day
of September. 1870 duly registered at the port
Of New York as a part of the commercial
marine of the United States. On the 18th day
OF October. 1870, having the certificate of her
register in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port Of New York, and has not since
been within the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States. On the 31st Of October last
while SAILING under the flag of the United
States on the high seas, she was forcibly
seized by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, and
was carried INTO the port of Santiago de Cuba.
where many of of her passengers and crew
were inhumanly, and so far. at least, as relates
to those who were citizens of the United
States, without due process of law, put TO
death. 1t is a well-establshed principle, as
serted by the United States from the begin
ming of national independence, recognized by
Great Britain and other maritime Powers, and
stated by the Senate in n resolution passed
unanimously the 10Th of June. 1858,
that American vessls on the high seas, in time
of peace, bearing the American flag. remain
under the jurisdiction the country to which they
belong, and, therefore, any visitation, moies-
tation, or detention of such vessel by force on
the part of foreign power is in derogation Of
the sovereignty of the United States. In &C.
cordsnce with this principle. the restoration of
the Virginius and the surrender of the survi-
vors of her passengers and crew and a due
PREPARATION to the flag. and the punishment of
the authorities who had been guilty of the ille-
gal acts of violence, were demanded. The
Spanish Government has recognized the jus
tice of the demand, and has arranged for the
immediate delivery of the vessel. and for the
surrender OF the survivors of the passengers
and crew. and for salute to the flag, and for
proceedings looking to the punishment of
those who may be proved to have been guilty
of illegal acts of violence toward citizens of
the United States, and also toward indemnify
ing those who may be shown to be entitled to
indemnity. copy of protocol of a confer
ence between the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister. in which the terms of this
were agreed to, will be transmit
ted herewith. The correspondence ON this
subject with the Legation of the United States
in cipher and by cable needs the notification
of the actual text of the correspondence,
but it has seemed to me to be due to the
Importance of the case not to submit this cor
until the accurate text can be re-
ceived by mail. 1t is expected shortly. and
will be submitted when received. In taking
leave of this subject for the present, L wish TO
renew the expression of my conviction that
the existence of African slavery in Cuba is
a 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 disappear. and that peace and pros
perity may follow its abolition. The embargo
ing of estates in Cuba, cruelty to American
citizens detected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish Government. the numbering of pris-
oners taken with arms in their hands, and
finally the capture upon the high seas of
vessel sailing under the United States flag
v.
minated in an outburst of Indignation that
has seemed for time to threaten war; Pend
ing negotiations tbetween the United States
and the Government of Spain Oh the subject
of this capture. have authorized the Secre-
tary of the Navy to put our navy on a war
footing, to the extent at least of the entire
ann ri appropriation for that branch of the
service, trusting to Congress and the public
opinion of the American people to Justify my
action.
Assuming, from the action of the last Con-
gress in the appointing of a Committee on
Privileges and Elections to prepare and report
to this Congress constitutional amendment
TO provide u better method of electing the
President and Vice President of the United
States, and also from the necessity OF such an
that there will be submitted to
the State Legislatures for ratification such an
Improvement in our condition, I suggest two
others to your consideration: First, to au-
thoriZe the Executive to approve of SO much
Of any measure passing the two Houses of
Congress as his judgment may dictate, with
put approving the whole, the disapproved
portion or portions to be subjected to the
same rules as now, to-wit: to be referred
back to the house in which the measure or
measures originated, and if passed by two
thirds vote OF the two houses, then to become
4 law without the approval of the President
would add to this a provision that there
should De no legislation by Congress during
the last twenty-four hours of its sitting. ex-
cept upon veto, and in order to
give the Executive an opportunity to examine
and approve or disapprove Understandings
Second, to provide, by an amendment, that
when an extra session of Congress is convened
by Executive proclamation, legislation during
the continuance of such extra session shall be
confined to such subjects AS the Executive
may bring before it from time to time in writ
ing. The advantages to be gained by these
two amendments are obvious. One session in
each year il provided for by the Constitution,
in which there are no restrictions as to the sub
jects of legislation by Congress. If more are
required, It is always in the power of Con-
gress, during its term of Office, to provide for
sessions at any time. The first of these
would protect the public against
the many abuses and waste of public moneys
which creep into Appropriation bills and other
important measures passing during the expir-
ing hours of Congress, to which otherwise due
consideration cannot be given
The receipts of the Government from all
sources for the fiscal year were $685. 738 2O4,
and the expenditures on all accounts $780,
$40, 245. thus showing an excess of receipts
over the expenditures Of S43, 392, 959: but it
is not probable that this favorable exhibit will
be shown for the present fiscal year. Indeed,
It is very doubtful whether. except with great
on the part of Congress in making
appropriations, AID the same economy in the
in administering the various