Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-12-05

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but Congress did not indicate i,
that statute, nor has it since don,
so, what acts are to be deemed t
work expatriation. For my ow,
guidance in determining such ques
tons required under the provisions
of the constitution, l have asked
the opinion in writing of the prin
cipal officer in each of the execu
tive departments upon certain ques
tons relating to this subject. TIL,
result satisfies me that further leg
islation has become necessary.
therefore commend the subject to
tho careful consideration of Con
gress, and transmit herewith cop
les Of the several opinions of thu
principal officers of tho executive
department, together with Other
correspondence, and prominent in
formation 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 national
ity. The papers submitted here.
with indicate what is necessary to
place us on par with other lead.
ing nations in liberality of legisla-
ton on this international question.
We have already in our treaties as.
sented to the principles which
would have to be embodied in laws
intended to accomplish such results
and We have agreed that citizens of
the United States may cease to be
citizens, and mssyv3untarily 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
upon the length of time necessary
for such intent. l invite congress
now to mark out and define when
and how repatriation can be accom-
plished to regulate by law the con-
dition OF American women marry
ing foreigners; to fix the status of
children 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.
SPAIN AND HER COLONIES.
In compliance with the request of
Congress l transmitted to the Amer
lean minister at Madrid, with in
structlon to present to the Spanish
government the joint resolution ap.
proved on the Sd of March last, ten
dering to the people Of Spain in the
name and on tn behalf of the Amer
lean people, the congratulations of
Congress upon their efforts to insti.
tute in Spain the principles of uni
versal liberty in republican form
Of government. Tho existence of
this new republic was inaugurated
by striking the letters from the
slaves in Porto Rico. This benev-
olent measure was followed by the
release Of several thousand persons
illegally sold as slaves IN Cuba.
Next, the Captain-General of that
colony was deprived of the power
to set aside the orders Of his supe.
riors at. Madrid, which had per-
tanned to that Office since 1925. The
sequestered estates Of American cit
liens which had been the cause of
long and frequent correspondence,
were ordered to be restored to their
owners. All Of these liberal steps
were taken in the face of violent OPP
position directed by the reactionary
shareholders of Havana, who are
Evainly striving to stay the march
Of ideas which has terminated slav.
cry in Christcndom, Cuba only cx-
cepted. Unhappily, however, this
baneful influence has thus far
succeeded in defeating the efforts OF
all liberal-mindcd men in Spain to
abolish slavery in Cuba, and in pre-
venting the promised reform in that
island. The struggle for political
supremacy continues, and the pro-
slavery aristocrat in Cuba is grad
ually arraying himself in more and
more open hostility and open def
ance to the home government.
While it still maintains political
connection with the republic in the
Peninsula, and although usurping
and defying the authority Of the
home government, whenever such
usurpation or defiance tends in the
direction of oppression or the
maintenance of abuses, 1t is still
q power in Madrid, and recog-
nized by the government. Thus an
element more dangerous to the con-
tinued colonial relations between
Cuba and Spain than that which in
spired the instruction at Yarrah,
an element opposed to granting any
relief from misrule and abuse, with
no aspirations after freedom which
commands sympathy in generous
beasts, and aiming to rivat the still
strong shackles Of slavery and OPP
preston, has seized many Of the
emblems Of power in Cuba, and I'M
der profession of loyalty to the mo-
Their country is exhausting &he re-
sources Of the island, and is doing
acts which are at variance with
those principles Of Justice, liberali-
ty, and of right which gives no.
bility OF character to a republic.
In the interests Of humanity, of civ
ilization, and Of progress, it is to
be hoped that this evil influence
may soon be averted.
THE STEAMER vIRGINIUS,
on the 26th day Of September, 1870,
duly registered at the port of New
York asa part of the commercial
marine of the United States, and on
the 4th of October, 1870, having the
certificate of her register in the u.s.
uall legal form, she sailed from the
port Of New York, and has not since
been within the territorial jurisdic-
ton of the United States. On the
3lst Of October last, while sailing
under the flag of the United States
on the high seas, she was forcibly
seized by the Spanish gun-boat Tor
nado, and was carried into the port