The Republican journal., 1873-12-04
Extracts from the
Presidents Message,
THE tIEGINIUs DIFFICULTY

| port of New York and has not since been with
in the territorial jurisdiction of the United
States. On the 3lst day of October last, while
sailing under the flag of the United States, on
the high seas, she forcibly seized by the
| Spanish gunboat Tornado and was carried into
| the port of Santiago de Cuba where many of
her passengers and crew were immediately
and, far at least, as relates to those who
We're citizens OF the United States, were with
ont due process of law, put to death.
1t is well established principle. asserted by
the United States from the beginning of their
| national independence, recognized by Great
| Britain and other maritime powers and stated
| by the Senate in a resolution passed unanimous
| ly on the 10th of June 1858, that American YES
ses on the high seas III time of peace, bearing
the American flag, remain under the iurisdic-
ton of the country to which they belong, and
therefore any visitation. detention or delay of
such vessel by the exhibition of force on the
part of foreign power, is in derogation Of the
sovereignty of the United States. In accord
| ance with this principle the restoration OF the
NlrginiuS and the remainder of the survivors
| of her passengers and crew, and Il due rcparl-
ton TO our flag and the punishment Of the
| authorities who had been guilty OF these illegal
| acts OF violence was demanded.
The Spanish GOV eminent has recooniZei the
justice of the demands and arranged for inn
mediate deliverance of the vessel and for the
| surrender of the survivors OF the passengers
| and crew, and for Il salute to the flag. and for
proceedings looking 10 the punishment OF those
| illegal acts OF violence towards citizens of the
| United States, and also towards UNDERWRITING
those who may be shown 10 he entitled TO in
| uemnity.
A copy OF protocol Of Il conference between
the Secretary Of State and the Spanish minister.
| III which the terms Of this arrangement We're
| agreed 10. is transmitted herewith. The cor
| rcspondence on thi, subject with the legation
| of the United states, was by cypher and bS
! cable, and needs The verihcation of the actual
| text OF the correspondence. 1t has seemed 10 me
| 10 be due to the Importance of the ease net to
submit this correspondence until the accurate
| text can be received by mail. II is expected
| shortly aud will be submitted when received.
In taking leave of this subject for the present,
| wish TO renew the expression Of my conyic-
| lion that the existence OF African slavery in
| Cuba l. Il principal cause OF the lamentabie
dition of the island. | do not doubt that Con-
| gres> shares with Inc the hope thai il viii soon
| be made to disappear, and TINT peace and pros
perity may follow its abolition. The embargo
| ing OF American estates i'll Cuba, the cruelty to
American citizen, detected in no ACT OF hostility
| 10 the Spanish Government, the numbering Of
prisoners taken with arms in their hands, and
finally the capture upon the high seas OF Il YES
/ sci sailing Hnder the United States flag and
| bearing United states registry, has cumnat-
| ed III an Ouburst of Indignation that has seemed
| for time to threaten war. Pending neeotia-
| tons between the United States and the Gov
| eminent of Spain on the subject of the capture.
| | have authorized the Secretary of the Navy to
! put our navy on war footing to the extent. at
| least, of the entire annual appropriation for
that branch OF the service, trusting to Congress
| and the opinion Of the American people to
| Justify my action.
| REFU BIICAN SPAIN AND sLAN EHOI DING CUBA
| IN compliance With the request OF Congress,
| transmitted To the American Minister ut Madrid
with instructions to present il 10 the Spanish
| Government, the JOINT resolution approved on
the third OF March last rendering the people of
the and the behalf N tho
| American people, the congratulations of Con
gress upon the effort, TO consolidate in Spain
| the principles of universal liberty i'll Il Repub-
can form of government.
The existence of this new Republic was in
auguraed by striking the fetter> from the slaves
i'll Porto Rico. This benetcent measure
was followed by the release Of several thou
sand persons Illegally sold rs slaves in Cuba
next the taptain-General Of that colony was
deprived of the power TO set aside the order Of
his superiorS at Madrid. which had pcrtaned TO
The office since 1928; the sequestered estates of
American citizens Which had been the cause Of
long and frequent correspondence, We're on
dered 10 be restored TO their owners.
Al these liberal steps We're taken in the face
of violent opposition directed by the reaclionarv
slanderers OF Havana, who are Nainly striving 10
stay the march Of ideas which has terminated
slavery IN chrs1endOm, Cuba only, excepted
tnhappily, however. this banetll influence has
thus far succeeded III defeating the effects Of all
llberal-mlnded men IN Spain to abolish slavery
in Cuba. and in preyentingthe promisc, reform
in that island. The struggle for political srpre-
macy continues. The pro-slavery and aristo-
cratic element i'll Cuba is gradually alravin@ it.
self III more and more open hostility and def
ance of the home government, while ii still
MAINTAINS political connection with the repub-
ne IN the peninsula; and although u4urping and
defylng the authority Of the home government.
whenever such u>urpatlon or defiance tend, i'll
the direction of oppression, or of the main
talnance OF abuses. II is still power in Madrid.
and recognized by the government.
Thus an elemen! more dangerous to continued
colonial relations betWeen cuba and spain than
that which inspired the Instruction at Corea-
an element opposed TO granting any relief from
mi>rule and abuse, with no aspirations after
freedom, commanding no >ympathies in genel-
Gus breasts to rivet still stronger the shtcble,
OF slavery and OPPRESSION has seized many OF
the emblems OF power in Cuba, and, under pro-
LESSONS Of loyalty To the mother country, i, en-
hausting the resources of the island and is doing
acts which are at variance with those of Justice,
Of liberaity and of right which give nobility Of
character TO Il republic In the interests Of
humanity, of civilization and progress. ii is 10
be hGpci Hat his evil influence may be soon
aNtrltd.
SHIrBUILDfNG.
IN prey lou. messages have called attention
To the decline in American shipbuuing and
recommended such legislation as would secure
10 us our proportion Of the carry ing trade.
stimulated by high rates aud an abundance of
freight. The progress for the last year in ship
building have been very satisfactory There
has been an increase of about three per cent in
the amount transported in American vessels
over the amount of last year. With the re-
,uced cost OF material which has taken place,
II may reasonably be hoped that this progress
Will be maintained and even increased. How
ever. as we pay about eighty million dollars
per ahnum to foreign vessels for the transport
| Iation OF our supplies and products to market,
Thu, Increasing the balance of trade against rs
TO this amount, the subject is one worthy Of
your serious consideration.
THE FINANCIAL PANIC.
The revenues have materially fallen off for
the first live months of the present fiscal wear
from the sum which they We're expected TO
produce, but owing to the general panic now
prevailing, which commenced about the middle
OF September last, the full effect OF this disaster
III it should not prove 4 blessing in disguised is
yet to be demonstrated In either event il j.
your duty to heed the lesson and provide bs
wise and we'll considered legislation, ls far as
ii lies IN your power against its reocrurrence,
and to take advantage o! all benefit that lnaN
| have accrued
CIvn. SERVICE REFORM.
Ia three successive messages 10 Congress,
| have called attention to the subject of ..Ciyil
! Service Reform" Action has been taken 50
| far aS TO authorize the appointment of Il board
| 10 devise rules governing methods OF making
| appointments and promotions. but there never
has been any action making these rules binding
| OF even entitled to Observance, where persons
desire the appointment of friend or the re-
| moval of an official who may be disagreeable
10 them. 70 have any rules effective they must
| have the acqnitsehCe of Congress, as we'll as Of
| the Executive. / recommend, therefore, the
subject to your attention and suggest that Il
| special committee of Congress might confer
with the Civil Service Board during the present
session for the purpose of devisng such rules
as can be maintained and which VIII secure
the services Of honest and capable officials and
which will also protect them in degree of in
dependence while in office. Proper rules will
protect Congress as well as the Executive from
much needless persecution and will prove of
great value to Tie public al large,
A Monitor in a Storm.
New YORK, Nov. 90 A Lewes, Dele
ware special says that during the storm