Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-12-06

under profession Of loyalty to the
mother country Is exhausting the re-
sources Of the island, and is doing acts
which are st variance with those princi-
plea Of justice, of liberality, and OF
right, which are nobility OF character to
a republic. In the interests of humani-
ty, of civilization, and of progress, it is
to be hoped that this evil influence may
be soon averted.
THE SEIZURE OF THE vIRGINIUS.
The steamer Virginius was, on the
26th day OF September, 1870 duly regis
tered at the port of New Yo. L as part
of the commercial marine of the United
States. On the 4th day of October, 1870,
having received the certificate of her reg
lister in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York and has not
since been within the territorial juris-
dictiou Of the United States. On the
31st of October last, while sailing under
the dag of the United States on the hign
seas, she was forcibly seized by the
Spanish gunboat Tornado. and carried
into the port of Santiago de Cuba where
many of her passengers and crew were
inhumanely, and SO far at least as re-
1ates to those who were citizens of the
United States, without due process of
law, put to death. 1t is well estab-
lished principle, asserted by the United
States from the beginning of their ma
tional Independence, recognized by
sers, and stated by the Senate In resolu-
ton passed unanimously on the 18th of
June, 1858, that American vessels on the
high seas in time of peace bearing the
American flag, remain under the juris-
diction of the country to which they be-
long and therefore any visitation. mo-
lestation or destruction of such vessel by
force on the part of foreign power is
in derogation of the sovereignty of the
United States.
DEMANDS MADE ON SPAIN.
In accordance with this principle the
restoration Of the Virginius and the sur
render of the survivors Of her passen.
gers and crew and the punishment OF
the authorities, who had been guilty OF
the illegal acts of violence, were de-
manded. The Spanish government has
recognized the justice Of the demand
and has arranged for the immediate de-
livery of the vessel and for the surren-
der to US of the survivors OF
the passengers and crew, and for a sa-
lutte to the flag, and for proceedings
looking to the punishmentof those who
| may be proven to have been guilty of il
legal acts of violence toward citizens ol
the United States, and also towards in
Identifying those who may be shown to
be entitled to indemnity. A copy of a
protocol of a conference between the
Secretary of State and the Spanish min.
lister in which the terms of this arrange.
ment were agreed to, is transmitted here
with. The correspondence on this sub
ject with the legation of the United
States is in cipher and by cable, anG
needs the verification 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
until the accurate text can be received
by the mails. 1t is expected shortly
and Will be submitte when received.
SLAVERY IN CUBA.
In taking leave Of this subject for thu
present, / wish to renew the expression
of my conviction that the existence o.
African slavery in Cuba is the principa
cause of the lamentable condition of tn,
| island. 1 do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will soor
be made to disappear, and that peace ant
prosperity may soon follow its abolition
The embargoing OF American estates II
| Cuba, cruelty to American citizens de
| tected in no act of hostility to the Span
ish government, the numbering of pris
oners taken with arms in their hands
and finally the capture upon the iiigl
States flag and bearing United State
registry, has eliminated in an outburs
of Indignation that has scented for tim
to threaten war.
| NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
Pending Negotiations between tn
United States and the government o
Spain on the subject of this capture,
have authorized the Secretary of the Ma
va to put our navy on a war footing t
the extent at least of the entiie annua
appropriation of that branch of tue sell
vice, trusting to Congress and the pub
lie opinion of the American people t
Justify my action.
Assuming, from the action of the las
Congress, in appointing Committee o
Privileges and Elections. to prepare an
report to this Congress a constitution,
amendment to provide for better m,
thod of electing the President and Viz
President of the United States, and ais
from the necessity of such an amend
ment, that there will be submitted ,
! the State Legislatures for ratificatio
such an Improvement in our constitI
ton, suggest two others for your cor
: sideration: Fret, to authorize the Ex.
: cutive to approve OF so much of an
; measure passing the two houses of Coz
: gress as his judgment may dictate, will
: out approving the whole, the disappro'
: ed portion or portions to he subjected
the same rule as now, to-wit: To be r
: ferred back to the house in which til
: measure or measures originated, and
! passed by a two-thirds vote of bot
: houses, then to become a law, witho
e the approval of the President. wou
: add to this provision that there shou
3 be no legislation by Congress during Il
: last twenty-four hours Of its sitting, e.
e cept upon vetoes, in order to give ii
t Executive an opportunity to examil
4 and approve or disapprove understan
4 Iingly. Second, to provide by amen
= ment that when. an extra session of Co
8 gress is convened by Executive procl
d nation, legislation during the contin
o ance of such extra session shall be co
Il fined to such subjects as the Executi
IS may bring before it from time to time
i writing, The advantages to be gain
). by these two amendments are obviol
: One session in each year is provided
Il by the Constitution, in which there a
e no restrictions as to tine subjects of Il
e islation by Congress. If more are l
l. vuired it is always in the power of Co
K gress, during their term of office, to pl
= vide Tor sessions at any time. The ii
l. of these amendments would protect t
u public against the many abuses a
l. waste Of public moneys which creep il
n appropriation bills and other imports
Is measures passing during the expiri
y hours of Congress, to which. otherwf
l. due consideration cannot be given.
y THE TREASURY PREPAYMENT.
The receipts of the Government fr
all sources for the last fiscal year w,
of $333, ,73s 204, and the expenditures on
m accounts $3.50, 345, ,245, thus showing
to excess of receipts over expenditures
It. $43, 1892 ,959, but it is not probable t
9d this favorable exhibit will be shown
of the present fiscal year. Indeed, II
he very doubtful whether, except W
of great economy on the part of Congr
tie in making appropriations, and the sa
b. economy on the part of the Administ
n tion in administering the VARIOUS
b. partments Of the Government, the I
IT. ennes will not fall short of meeting
,is annual expenses, including the intel
he on the public debt,
le- NECESSITY OF ECpNpMY,
n ,a commend to Congress such coonor
~ and DOfnt out two sources wher