The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-12-12

of Spain, In the name and on behalf O
the American people, the congratula
tlons of congress upon the efforts t.
consolidate in Spain the principles O
universal liberty in a republican form
| of government. The existence of thi
new republic was inaugurated By strik
ing the fetters from the slaves in Porte
Rico. This benefcent measure wa.
followed by the release of several thou
sand persons illegally sold as slaves il
Cuba. Next the captain-general of tina
colony was deprived of the power to Sc
aside the orders of his superiors at Mad
rid, which had pertained to the Office
since 1925. The sequestered estates o
American citizens, which had been the
cause of long and frequent correspond
ence, were ordered to be restored tc
their owners. All these liberal steps
were taken in the face of violent opposi.
tion directed by the reactionary slave.
holders of Havana, who are vainly
striving to stay
THE MARCH OF IDEAS
which has terminated slavery in chris.
tendon, Cuba only excepted. Unhap-
PLY, however, this banefuI influence has
thus far succeeded in defeating the ef-
forts of all liberal minded men in
Spain to abolish slavery in Cuba, and
in preventing the promised reform
in that island. The struggle for po-
htical supremacy continues. The pro-
slavery aristocracy in Cuba is gradually
arraigning itself in more and more open
hostility and defiance of the home gov
ernment, while it still maintains polit-
ical connection with the republic in the
peninsula, and although usurping and
defying the authority of the home gov
ernment, 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 inspired
the insurrection at Yara-an element
to granting any relief from is
rule and abuse, with no aspiration after
freedom, commanding no sympathies in
generous breasts, aiming to rivet still
stronger the shackles of slavery and op-
preston, has seized many of the en-
blems of power in Cuba, and, under
professions of loyalty to the mother
is exhausting the resources of
the island, and is doing acts which are
at variance with those principles of JUS
tice, of liberty, and of right which give
nobility of character to a republic. In
the interest of humanity, of civilization
and of progress, it is to be hoped this
evil influence may be averted.
THH STEAMER vIRGNIUs
was, on the Goth day of September, 1870,
duly registered at New York as part
of the commercial marine of the Uni
ted States. On the 4th of October,
1870, having received a certificate of
her register in the usual legal forms,
she sailed from the port of New York,
aud has not since been within the terri
bOrial jurisdiction 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 forci-
bly, seized by the Spanish gunboat Tor
nado, and was carried into the port of
Santiago de Cuba, where many of the
and crew were inhumanly,
and so far at least as to those who were
citizens of the United States, were,
without due process of law, put to
leath. It is a well established princi-
pie asserted by the United States from
he beginning of their national indie
oendence, recognized by Great Britain
md other maratime powers, and stated
ly the senate in a resolution passed
on the 18th of June, 1865, |
hat American vessels on the high seas
n time of peace, bearing the American |
lag, remain under the Jurisdiction of |
he country to which they belong, and |
therefore, any visitation, molestation or |
obstruction of such vessel by force on |
he part of foreign power is in deroga-
ion of the sovereignty of the United |
states. In accordance with this princi- |
lie. the restoration of the Virginius
nd the surrender of the survivors of |
Ter passengers and crew, and due re-
'aration OF the flag and the punishment |
f the authorities who had been guilty
f the illegal acts were demanded.
CAsTELAR's CONCESSION.
The Spanish government has recog-
lied the justice of the demand and has
ranged for the immediate delivery of
he vessel and for the surrender of the
urvivors of the passengers and crew,
nd for a 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 toward
itizens of the United States, and also
Oward indemnifying those who may be
hown to be entitled to indemnity. A
Opy of a portocol of the conference
etween the secretary of state and the
linister in which the terms of this ar
were agreed to, will be trans
lifted herewith. The correspondence
q this subject with the legation of the
-nited States is in cipher and by cable,
ld needs the verifcation of the actual
,xt of the correspondence. It has
,emed to me to be due to the impor-
nee of the case not to submit this cor
,spondence until the accurate text can
. received by mail. 1t is expected
lortIy and will be submitted when re-
lived.
In taking leave of this subject for the
my conviction that the existence of
frican slavery in Cuba is principal
Luse of the lamentable condition of the
land. I do not doubt that congress
lares with me the hope that it will
,on be made to disappear and peace
Id prosperity may follow its aboli-
on. The embargoing of American
states in Cuba, the cruelty to American
tizens detected in no act of hostility
} the Spanish government, the murder !
Lg of prisoners taken with arms in
leir hands and finally the capture upon ]
le high seas of a vessel sailing under
le United States flag and bearing
nited States registry, has eliminated (
an outburst of Indignation that has I
,emed for time 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 war footing,
the extent at least of the entire an 1
1al appropriation for that branch of
le service, trusting to congress and the
1blic opinion of the American people
justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL.
Assuming from the action of the last
appointing a committee on !
rivileges and election to prepare and {
port to this congress a constitutional '
nendment to provide better method {
electing the president and vice-pres-
ent of the United States, and also s
ON the necessity of such an amend |
ent, that there will be submitted to
le state legislatures for ratification
lch an Improvement in our constitu-
on, I suggest two others for your con-