The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-05
The Presidents Views Of the Cuban
Difficulty.

26th day of September, 1870, duly regis
tered at the port of New York as part
of the commercial marine of the United
States. On the 4th of October, 1870;
having received the certificate Of her re-
gistry in the usual legal froms, she sailed
from the port of New York, and has not
since been within the territorial jurisdie-
tion of the United States. On the 31st
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 car
ried into the port of Santiago de Cuba,
where many of her passengers and crew
inhumanly, and so far at least as 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 in
dependence, recognized by Great Britain
and other maritime powers, and Stated
by the Senate in a resolution passed
unanimously on the 10Th of June, 1858,
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, there
fore, any visitation, molestation or de-
tention of such vessel by force, on the
part of foreign power, is in derogation
of the sovereignty of the United States.
In accordance with this principle the
restoration of the Virginius and the sur
render of the survivors of her passen-
gers and crew, and due reparation to
the flag and the punishment of the au-
thorities who had been guilty of the IL
legal acts of violence, were demanded.
The Spanish Government has recognized
the justice of the demand, and has ar
vessel, and for the surrender of the sur
vivors of the passengers and crew, and
for salute to the flag, and for pro-
ceedings looking to the punishment
of those who may be proved to have
been guilty of illegal acts of violence
toward citizens of the United States, and
also toward indemnifying those who
may be shown to be entitled to indemni-
ty. A copy of a protocol of interference
between the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister, in which the terms of
this arrangement were agreed to, will be
transmitted herewith THE correspon-
dence on this subject with the Legation
of the United States, is in cipher and by
cable, and needs the veri6cation 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 mail. 1t is expected
shortly, and will be submitted when re-
ceived. In taking leave of this subject
for the present, l wish to renew the ex-
preston of my conviction that the exis-
tence of African slavery in Cuba is
principal cause of the lamentable condi-
ton of the island. l do not doubt that
Congress shares with me the hope that
it will soon be made to disappear, and
that peace and prosperity may follow
its abolition.
in Cuba; cruelty to American citizens
detected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish Government; the numbering of
prisoners taken with arms in their hands,
and, finally, the capture upon the high
seas of a vessel sailing under the United
States flag and bearing the United States
registry, has eliminated in an outhurst
of Indignation that has seemed for
time to threaten war Pending negotia-
tions between the United States and the
Government of Spain, on the subject of
this CAPTURE, have authorized the Sec
retary of the Navy to put our navy on a
war footing to the extent at least of the
entire annual appropriation fer that
branch of the service, trusting to Con-
gress and the public opinion of the
American people to justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS sUGGEs-
TED.
Assuming from the action of the last
Congress appointing Committee on
Privileges and Elections, to prepare and
report to this Congress constitutional
amendment to provide better method
of electing the President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, and also from
the necessity of such an amendment that
there will be submitted to the State Leg
islatures for ratification such an i'm
provement in our condition, l suggest
two others for your consideration
First, to authorize the Executive to ap-
prove of SO much of any measure passing
the two Houses of Congress as his jude-
ment may dictate, without approving the
whole. The disapproved portion or por-
tions to be subjected to the same rules
as now, to-wit: to be referred back to the
House in which the measure or measures
originated, and if passed by a two-thirds
vote of the two Houses, then to become
a law without the approval of the Presi-
| dent. l would add to this a provision
that there should be no legislation by
Congress during the last twenty-four
hours of its sitting, except upon vetoes,
in order to give the Executive an op-
pertunity to examine and approve or
disapprove understandingly. Second, to
provide by amendment that when an
extra session of Congress is convened by
Executive proclamation, Legislation dur
ing the continuance of such extra session
shall be confined to such subjects as the
Executive may bring before it from time
to time in writing. The advantages to
be gained by these two amendments are
obvious. One session in each year is
provided for by the Constitution in which
there are no restrictions as to the sub
jects of legislation by Congress. Ifmore
are -L4uired it is always in the power
Congress, during their term of Office, to
provide for sessions at any time. The
first of these amendments is to protect
the public against the many wastes of
pub1;o ,,ona,, which oroor ;rto or,~,.