New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-03
arraigning itself in more and more open
DEFIANCE OF THE HOME GOVERNMENT,

DEfLANCE Of IdE HOME GOVERNMENT,
While it still maintains a political connec
ton with the republic in the Peninsula; anG
: although usurping and defying the author
| ity of the home government whenever such
usurpatien or defiance tends in the direc
ton of oppression or of the maintenance OF
abuses, it is still power in Madrid. and is
recognized by the government. Thus an
element more dangerous to continued colo
NAL relations between Cuba and Spain than
that which inspired the instruction at
| Yara-an element opposed to granting any
relief from misrule and abuse, with no aspi-
rations after reed0m-cOmmanding no SYM
pathies in gener )us breasts; aiming to rivet
still stronger the shackles of slavery and
| Oppress1on-has seized many of the EN- blems
of power in Cuba and, under professions of
loyalty to the mother country, is exhaust
ing the resources of the island, and is doing
acts which are at variance with those prin-
ciples of justice. of liberality and of right
which give nobility of character to re-
public.
In the interests of humanity, of civiliza-
ton and of progress it is to be hoped that
this evil influence may be soon avertsd.
| THE STEAMER vIRGNIUs
Was. on the twenty sixth day of Septem-
| Der, 1870, duly registered at the port OF New
! York as a part OF the commercial marine of
| the United States. On the fourth of OctU-
| Der, 1870, having received 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 iuris-
first day 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
| do mi
| where many of her passengers and crew
| were inhumaniy and, so far at least as re-
| lates to those who were citizens of the
! United States, were
WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW, PUT TO
| DEATH.
It 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 a resolution
passed unanimously on the sixteenth 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 there
| fore, any visitation, mOlestatiOn, or dsten-
| ton of such vessels by force or by the ex-
| hibition of force on the part of a foreign
i power, is in derOgatiOn of the sovereignty
| of the United States" In accordance with
ginius and the surrender of the survivors of
her passengers and crew and due repara-
ton to the flag, aud 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 survivors OF
! the passengers and crew, and for salute
to the flag, and for proceedings looking to
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 indemnifying those
who may be shown to be entitled to inGem
nifty.
A copy of protocol OF a conference be-
tween the Secretary of State and the Span
ish minister, in which the terms of arrange
ment were agreed to, is transmitted here
with. The correspondence on this subject
with the legation Of the United States in
Madrid was conducted in cypher by cable,
aud needs the veritication of the actual
text Of the correspondence. 1t has seemed
to ME to be due to the importance of the
case not to submit this correspondence I'M
til the accurate text can be received by Ii Ill.
1t is expected shortly, and will be sub
mitted 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 lamenta-
BILE condition OF the island. l do not doubt
that Congress shares with me tbs hope that
it will soon be made to disappear, and that
peace and prosperity may follow its ab0li-
ton.
hap oE ~,
Cuba, cruelty to American citizens detected
in no act OF hostility to the Spanish govern
ment, the numbering OF prisoners taken |
with arms in their hands, and, finally, the |
capture upon the high seas of vessel sail |
ing under the United States flag and bear |
ing United States registry, has cuimina-
ted IN an
OUTBURST OF INDIGNATION, |
That has seemed for time to threaten war. |
Pending negotiations between the United |
States ana the government OF Spain, on the |
subject of this capture, l have authorized |
the Secretary of the Navy TO put
OUR NAVY ON AwAR FOOTING,
To the extent at least, Of the entire annual |
appropriation for that branch of the SER
vice, trusting to Congress and the public |
opinion of The american people to justify |
my action.
Assuming, from Che action Of The last [
Congress, III appointing Committee on
Privileges and Elections to prepare and &C.
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,
suggest two others for your consideration:
l. 70 authorize the executive to approve
OF so much OF any measure passing the two
houses Of Congress as his Judgment may
The disapproved portion or portions to
DE subjected 20 the same rules as
nowe to cit: to be referred back I
to the house ia which Che measure or
measures originated, and, if passed by a
two-thirds vote of the two houses, then to
become law without approval of The 1
President. would add to this provision
sress during the last twenty-four hours OF
It's sitting, except upon vetoes, in order to
give the executive an opportunity 20 EXAM
me and approve or 6isapprove bills SndeS-
3. To provide BY amendment chat when I
An extra session of Congress is convened by I
proclamation, legislation during
continuance OF such extra session shall be
confined to such subjects as the executive
may bring before it iron: time to time. in
writing.
The advantages 90 be gained t- ehese
5wo amendments are obvious. One session /
n each year is provided for by the con-
in which there are no restrictions !
Is to tie subjects of legislation by Congress.
# more are required it is always in the
power Of Congress during their term of
'tfice to provide tor sessions at any time.
The first OF these amendments would prs
ect the public against the many abuses
md wastes of public moneys which creep
MIC annrnNriatiOn hills aud other I'M nor. |