The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-12-11

half of the American people. the con
gratulations of congress upon the eff
forts to consolidate in Spain the prin
ciples of universal liberty in a republi
can form of government. The exis
tence of this new republic was inaugu
rated by striking the fetters from the
slaves in Porto Rico. This benefceni
measure was followed by the release Of
several thousand persons illegally sold
as slaves In Cuba. Next the captain,
general of that eclOny was deprived oi
the power to set aside the orders of his
superiors at Madrid, which had per.
tanned to the Office since 1926. The Sc
questered estates of American citizens,
which had been the cause of long and
frequent correspondence, were ordered
to be restored to their owners. All
these liberal steps were taken in the
face of violent opposition directed by
the reactionarY shareholders of Havana,
who are vainly striving to stay
THE MARCH OF IDEAS
which has terminated slaveryyin Chris
tendon, Cuba only excepted. Unhap-
PLY, however, this banefui influence
has thus far succeeded 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 continues. The pro-slavery
aristocracy in Cuba is gradually ar
raigning itself in more and more open
hostility and defiance of the home gov
ernment, while it still maintains a po-
litical 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 op-
preston, or of the maintenance of pro-
slavery views, it is still power in Mad
rid and recognized by the government
Thus, an element more dangerous to
continued colonial relations between
Cuba and Spain than that which in
spired the insurrectiOn at Yara, an ele-
ment opposed to granting any relief
from misrule and abuse, with no aspi-
ration after freedom, commanding no
sympathies in generous breasts, aiming
to rivet still stronger the shackles of
slavery and oppression, has seized
many of the emblems of power in Gu
ba, and, under professions of loyalty
to the mother country, is exhausting
the resources of the island, and is doing
acts which are at variance with those
principles of Justice, of liberty. and of
right which give nobility of character
to republic. In the interests of hu-
manity, of civilization and of progress,
it is to be hoped this evil influence may
be averted.
THE STEAMER vIRGINIUs
was, on the 26th day of September,
1870, duly registered at the port of New
York as a part of the commercial ma
rine of the United States. On the 4th
of October, 1870. having received Ger
tlicate OF her register in the usual
legal forms, she sailed from the port of
New York, and has not since been with
IN the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States. On the 31st day of Oc.
5ober last, while sailing under the flag
Of the United States on the high seas,
she was forcibly seized by the Spanish
g1nboat Tornado, and was carried into
the port of Santiago de Cuba, where
many OF her passengers and crew were
and 50 far at least as to those
who were citizens of the United States,
we're, without due process of law, put
10 death. It is well established prin-
3iple asserted by the United States
rom the beginning of their national
recognized by Great
Britain and other maratime powers, and
stated by the senate In a resolution
passed unanimously on the 18th of
lune, 1858, that American vessels on
he high seas in time of peace, bearing
he American flag, remain under the
Jurisdiction of the country of which
hey belong, and therefore any visits
ion, mOlestation or obstruction of such
TesseI by force on the part of foreign
power is in derogation of the sovereign
y of the United States. In accord
noe with this principle, the restoration
Il the Virginius and the surrender of
he survivors of her passengers and
rev, and due reparation of the flag
nd the punishment of the authorities
7ho had been guilty of the illegal acts
Tere demanded
OAsTELAR's CONCESSIONS.
The Spanish government has recog-
ized the justice of the demand and has
for the immediate delivery of
he vessel and for the surrender of the
urvivors of the passengers and crew.
nd for salute to the flag and for pro-
eedings looking to the punishment of
hose who may be proved to have been |
'uilty of illegal acts of violence to- |
7ards citizens of the United States, and |
lso towards indemnifying those who |
nay be shown to be entitled to indem-
ity. A copy of protocol of the con-
erence between the secretary of state |
nd the minister, in which the terms of |
his arrangement we're agreed to, will |
q transmitted herewith. The CORES
on this subject with the lega-
ion of the United States is in cipher |
nd by cable, and needs the verifcation |
the actual text of the correspondence.
t has seemed to me to be due to the /
Importance of the case not to submit |
his correspondence until the accurate /
ext can be received by mail. It is ex-
ected shortly and viii be submitted
hen received.
In taking leave of this subject for the
resent, I wish to renew the expression
my conviction that the existence of
frican slavery in Cuba is a principal
ause of the lanentabIe condition of the
land. I do not doubt that congress
lsres with me the hope that it viii
BON be made to disappear and peace
nd prosperity may follow its, abolition.
he embargOing of American estate In
uba, the cruelty to American citizens
elected in no act of hostility to the
panish government, the numbering of
risoners taken with arms in their hands
nd finally the capture upon the high
eas of vessel sailing under the United
tates flag and bearing United States
sgistry has eliminated in an outburst
{ indignation that has seemed for a
me TO threaten war.
Pending the negotiations between the
nited States and the government of
pain on the subject of this capture I
ave authorized the secretary of the
avy TO put our navy on a war footing
the extent at least of the entire an
1al appropriation for that branch of
le service, trusting to congress and the
lblic opinion of the American people
} Justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL
Assuming from the action of the last
,ngress appointing a committee on
-ivileges and elections to prepare and
port to this congress q constitutional
to provide a better method
electing president and vice president
the United States, and also from the
scessity of such an amendment. that
.ere viii be submitted to the state
gislatures for ratification such an i'm
oOvement in our constitution, sug-
st two othe4B for your consideration.
1. To authorize the executive to an
owe Of so much Of any measure pass
z the two houses Of congress. as his
i