Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-12-12

ufatIZdtlOlt convention With Denmark
a convention with Mexico for renewing
tho claims of the commission; a con
vention of friendship, commerce ant
eztradition with the Orange Free
! States; and a naturalization conren
! tion with Ecuador.
POSTAL COMMISSION.
[ renew the recommendation made
i'll my message of December, 1870, tina,
Congress authorize the Postmaster
General to issue all cunmissians to
ofIicials.ap pointed through his depart
ment.
THE REPUBLIC OF SPAIN.
In compliance with q request OF
| Congress, I transmitted to the Ameri.
can Minister at Madrid, with instruc-
tons to present it to the Spanish Gov.
ernment, the joint resolution approved
on the Sd Ut March last, rendering to
the people Of Spain, in the name and
on behalf Of the American people the
congratulations Of Congress upon the
efforts to consolidate in Spain the
principles of universal liberty, in .
Republican form Of government. This
new Republic was inaugurated by
striking the fettcrs from the slaves in
Porto Rico. This benefccnt measure
was followed by the release of several
thousands of persons Illegally held
as slaves in Cuba. Next, the Captain
was deprived OF the power to set aside
the letters OF his superiers at Madrid,
which had pertained to his Office since
1879. The sequestration of the estates
OF American citizens, which had been.
the cause of long and frequent ceres
pcndence, were ordered to be restored
to their owners. All these liberal steps
were taken in the face of violent on
position directed by the reactionary
slave holders of Havana, who are
vainly striving to stay the march OF
ideas. This has terminated slavery in
ClristeHfto,n, Cuba only excepted.
UnlappiIy, however, this banefIl in
Huence has thus far succeeded in de-
feating the Efforts of all liberal minded
men in Spain to abolish slavery in
Cuba, and in preventing the promised
reform in that island.
The struggle for political supremacy
continues. The pro slavery ar;stecraey
in Cnba is gradually arraying itself
more and more in open hostility to and
IN defiance Of the home government:
White it still maintains a political! con-
necfion with the Republic in The PENN
sUla. And although usuri,ing ans, de-
flying the authority OF the home GOV
ernment whenever such usurpatien or
defiance tends III tile direction OF op-
preston, or of the maintenance Of
abuses, it is still a power in Madrid |
ard recognized by the government.
This is an element :aerc dangerous to
the continued colonial relations be-
tween Cuba and Spain than that which
inspired the instruction. 1t is an ele-
nent opposed to granting any relief
rom misrt1le and abuse, with no as
Dirations after freedom, commanding
syinpathies in generous breasts; aim
ng to rivet stronger the shackles Of |
oppressive power in Cuba, and under
Professions Of loyalty to the mother
country, it is exhausting the resources
# the island, and is doing acts which
ire at variance with those principles
# justice and iberality and of right
which give nobility of character to a
Republic in the interests OF humanity,
# civilization and of progress. 1t is
0 be hoped that this evil influence
nay soon be ayerted. /
THE STEAMER VIRGINTUs
7as on the 10th day Of September,
$40, duly registered at the port of
Tew York as part of the commercial
larine of the United States. On the
th of October, 1879, having the GER
ifcate of her register in the usual le-
al form she sailed from the port of
Few York and has rot since been with
i the territorial Jurisdiction of the
Inited States. On the 31st OF Octo-
e last, while sailing under the flag of {
ne United States on the high seas, {
he was forcibly seized by the Spanish
unboat, Tornado, and was carried
ito the port of Santiago de Cuba,
here many of her passengers and {
rev were inhumanly, and at least, as !
slated to those who were citizens of /
ne United States, without due pro- t
sss of law put to death. 1t is q well @
Established principle asserted by the il
-nited States from the beginning OF e
Ir national independence, and reccg- f
ized by Great Brittian and ether f
laritime powers, and stated BY the n
enate in resolution passed unani- a
onsly on the 10th of June, 1888, that il
merican vessels on the high seas IN q
le time of peace, bearing the Ameri r
N flag, remain under the jurisdiction Il
the country to which they belong; t,
i'd therefore, any visitation, molesta- /.
on, or interference with such vessels O
! force on the part Of a foreign power it
in derogation of the sovereignty OF a
e United States. En- accordance with cj
e principle, the restoration OF the Ii
irginius and the surrender Of the a
Eryivors OF her passengers and crew, g;
le reparation to the flag, and the B
of the authorities who had n
,en e11ilty Of the Illegal acts Of vio- q
nee. were demanded. The Spanish f
,yernmcnt has recognized the justice n
the demand and has arranged for 8,
ZE4 "A