Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-03

principles which would need to be embodied
in the laws intended to accomplish such re-
suits. We nave agreed that citizens OF
the United States may cease to be citizens and
may voluntarily render allegiance to other
powers. We have agreed that residence in a
foreign land without intent to return shall OF
itself work expatriation. We have agreed in
some instances as to the length oftime neces-
sary for such intent. invite Congress now
to mark out and define when and how ex-
patration can be accomplished, to regulate
by law the condition of American women
marry ing foreigners, to fix the status of chill
dren born in a foreign country of American
parents residing more or less permanently
abroad, and to make rules for determining
such other kindred points as may seem best
to Congress.
The SPANISH REPUBLIC AND CUBA.
In compliance with the request of Con-
gress, transmitted to the American Minister
at Madrid, with instructions to present it to
the Spanish government, the Joint resolution
approved on the Sd of March last, rendering
to the people of Spain in the name and on
the behalf of the American people the con-
gratulatons of Congress upon the efforts to
consolidate in Spain the principles of univer-
sal liberty in a republican form of govern
ment.
The existence of this new republic was in
augurated by striking the fetters from the
slaves in Porto Rico. This benefcent meas
ure was followed by the release of several
thousand persons illegally held slaves in
Cuba. Next the Captain General of that
colony was deprived of the power to set aside
the order of his superors at Madrid, which
had pertained to the Office since 1925. The
sequestrated estates of American citizens
which had been the cause OF long and fire.
quent correspondence, were ordered to be re-
stored to their owners. All these liberal
steps were taken in the face of violent oppo-
sitlon, directed by the reactionary slanderers
of Havana, who are vainly striving to stay
the march of ideas which has terminated
slavery in christendom, Cuba only excepted
Cnllappily, however, this baneful influence
has thus far succeeded in defeating the efforts
of all liberal minded men in Spain to abolish
slavery in Cuba, and in preventing the prom.
ised reform in that island. The struggle for
political supremacy continues. The pro-
slavery and aristocratc party of Cuba is
gradually arraying itself in more and more
open hostility and defiance to the home gov.
ernment, while it still maintains a political
| connection with the republic on the penin-
sula Although usurping and defying the au-
thority of the home government wherever
such usurpation or defiance tends in the d.
recton of oppression or of the maintenance
of abuses. it is still power in Madrid and
recognized by the government Thus an ele-
ment more dangerous to continued colonial
relations betw ween Cuba and Spain than that
which inspired the insurrection at Corea, an
element opposed to granting any relief from
misrule and abuse, with no aspirations after
freedom, commanding no sympathies in gen.
erous breasts to rivet still stronger the shack
les of slavery 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 the
island, and is doing acts which are at variance
with those of justice, of libeIalty and of
right, which give nobility of character to
republic. In the interests of humanity, of
civilization, of progress, it is to be hoped that
this evil influence may be soon averted.
The VIRGNIUs.
The steamer Virginius was, on the 26th day
of September, 1870, duly registered at New
York. as a part of the commercial marine of
the United States. On the 4th of October,
| 1870. having received the certificate of Her
Majesty 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 3lst 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 carried into the port of Santiago de
Cuba, where many of her passengers and
crew were inhumanly, and so far at least
| relates to those who were citizens of the
| United States, were without due process of
law, put to death 1t is a well established
principle, asserted by the United States from
| the beginning of their national indepen-
dence, recognized by Great Britain and other
maritime powers, and stated by the Senate in
a resolution passed unanimously on the 10th
| of June, lSJS, 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 violation, molestation or de-
tention of such vessels, by force or by the
exhibition of force, on the part of a foreign
power, is in derogation of the sovereignty of
| the United States. In accordance with this
principle, the restoration of the Virgnius and
| the surrender of the survivors of her passen-
gers and crew, and due reparation to our
| flag and the punishment of the authorities
! who had been guilty of these illegal acts of
| violence were demanded. The.Spanish gov
ernment 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 a salute to the flag and for proceed
| ings looking to the punishment of those who
may be proved to have been guilty of illegal
acts of violence towards citizens Of the United
! States, and also towards indemnity to those
who may be shown to be entitled to indem.
nifty. copy Of a protocol of the conference
between the Secretary of State and the Span
| ish Minister, in which the terms of this ar
| rangement were agreed to, is transmitted
herewith.
The correspondence on this subject, with
the legation of the United States, has been by