Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1873-12-10
The Presldent on Cuban and
Financial Affairs,


Financial Affairs.
We publish only that portion o: the
Presidents Message which relates to
Cuban or Spanish affairs and financial
matters. In order to give it place, we
have been compelled to pass conmu-
nication from Tacitus against the new
Constitution, an Sing letter from
Georgia, with sundry other communics-
sions purely of local character.
In compliance with the request Of
Congress / transmitted to the Ameri-
can minister at Madrid with instruc-
tions to present to the Spanish govern
ipent the joint resolution approved on
the Sd OF March last, tend ,ring 20 the
people OF Spain, in the name and on
behalf of the American people, the
congratulations of Congress upon the
Efforts to cons ,lidate in Spain me prin-
ciples Of universal liberty IN q republic
can form Of government. The exist
ence Of this new Republic was inaugu-
rated by striking the fetter. from the
slaves in Porto Rico. This beDefcent
measure was followed by the release OF
several thousand persons Illegally held
As slaves in Cuba. Next the Captain
General IF that colony was deprived of
the power TO set aside the orders Of hi,
superiors at Madrid which had pertain
ed TO the Office since 1895. The Sc
auestered estates of American citizens,
winch bad been the cause of long and
fruitful correspondence, were ordered
to be restored to their owners. All
these liberal steps we're taken in the
face of violent opposition directed by
the reactionary Shareholders Of Ha-
vans, whs are vaiuly striving to stay
the march of ideas which have termi-
mated slavery in Christendom, Cubs
only excepted. Unhsppily, however,
thi. baneful influence has thus far sue
ceedcd in defeating 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 contin-
ues there, and the pro slavery and aris-
tocratic party in Cuba is gradually ar
raigniug Itself in more and more open
hostility and defiance Of the home gov-
ernmeDt, while it still maintains a po-
litical connection with the Republic in
the Peninsula, and although u-urping
snd defying the authority of the home
government. Whenever such usurpa
tion or defiance tends in the direction
Of oppression or of the maintenance of
abuses, it is still q power in Madrid,
and is recognized by the government.
Thus IN element more dangerous to
continued colonial relations between
Cuba aud Spain than that which IN
spired the insurrection of Yara, an ele-
ment opposed to granting any relief
from misrule and abuse, with no aspi-
rstinns afcr freedom, commanding no
sympatbies in generous breasts, aiming
10 riSet still stronger the shackles of
slavery and oppression, has seized many
Of the emblsms of power 10 Cuba, and
under professions Of loyalty to the
mother country is exhaustiug the re-
sources 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 a Republic. In the interests Of hu-
manity, of civilization, and of progress,
it is to be hoped that this evil influence
may soon be sverted.
Tho steamer Eirgirius was on the
26th day OF September, 1870, duly
registered at the port OF New York as
. par, Of the cowmerci2l marine Of the
United States. Ou the l4th OF Octo-
ber, 1870, having received the certi6-
cate Of her register in the usual legal
form, she sailed from the port Of New
York, aud has not since been within the
territorial jurisdiction Of the United
States. On the 3lst day of October
last, while sailing under the Gag of the
United States on the high seas, she was
forcibly seized by the Spanish gun5oat
Tornado, and was carried into tie port
of Santiago de Cuba, where many Of
her passenger. aud crew were inbu.
manly, and, 90 far at least as relates to
those who we're citizens of the United
States, were, without due process of
Law, pu, to death. 1t is . well-estab-
lisned principle, asserted BY the United
States from the beginning of their pa-
tional independence, recognized By
Great britain and other maritime pow
ers; and stated by the Senate in res
olution passed unanimously on the 10th
Of June, 1858, "that American vessels
o. the high seas, in time Of peace, beai-
ing the American fsg, remain under
,he jurisdiction Of the country to which
they belong, aud, therefore, any vista
tion. molest.tien, or detention of such
vessel by force. or by the exhibition of
force, on the part Of foreign power, is
in derogaiion of the sovereignty of the
United States" In accordance with
Al. vrino,Dia The resfnro fInu of fha