The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-12-04
posr.orr1cK COMMISSIONS

Posmaster-General to Issue ali commissions TO Of
| hc1als appointed through HE department
EXTRADITIoN AND REPATRIATION.
invite the earnest ATTENTION of Congress to the
existing laws of the United States e-pec ing
tradition, and the eligibility of nationality by indi
viduals Many citizens of the United states reside
permanently abroad, with their families. Under
the provisions OF the act approved February 10,
1855, the children Of such persons be deem.
and taken TO be citizens OF the United States. but
the rights OF citizenship are not to descend to per,
SONS whose fathers never resided In the United
| States. 1t thus happens that persons who have
never resided within the United States have
| been enabled to put forward pretension to the
protection OF the United States against the claim
| Of military service OF the Government, under
whose protection they were born and have been
reared. In some cases unnaturahzed citizens of
| the United States have returned to the land of
their birth to remain there and their children, the
issue OF marriage contracted there after their
turn, aud who have never been in the United
States. have laid claim 10 protection when the
duty OF military service TO the only Government
which had ever known them personally. Until
the year 1853 it was left embarrassed by the con-
hicting opinions OF courts and of jurists to de-
termine how far the doctrine of perpetual
allegiance derived from our former colonial rea-
lions with Great Britain applicable TO Ameri-
can citizens. Congress then wisely swept the
doubts away by enacting that any declaration, in
sIucuon, opinion, order or decision of any officer
of this Government which deIiihs- RESTRICTS i'm
pairs or questions the right of expatriation il in
Government; but Congress did not indicate in that
statute nor has it since done Sc what acts are to
guidance in determining such questions, 1 re-
CURED under the provisions Of the Constitution,
the opinion in wiring Of the principal officer in
certain questions relating to this sub
ject. The result satisfies me that further legs-
lation has bee me neces airy /, therefore, COM
mend the subject to the careful consideration of
Congress, ano transmit herewith copies OF the
> veral opinions of The principal officers of the
Executive Departments, together with other
respondence and pertinent information on the
subject. The United states, who led the
way in the overthrow of the feudal doctrine of
perpetual
cate how their citizens may elect another
!ionalitY- The papers submitted herewith
Indicate what is necessary to place
as ions in libeFaiity Of Legislation on this
treaties assented to the principles which would
need TO be embodied in laws intended accom-
plish sGch results. We have agreed that citizens
Of the United States may to be citizens. and
may voluntarily render allegiance to other powers.
We have agreed that residence In foreign land,
without intent to return, shall of itself work
patriation. We have agreed in some instances
upon the length of time necessary for such intent.
invite Congress now to mark out and define when
and how expatriation can be accomplished, reg
ulate by law the condition of American women
marrying foreigners. TO fix the status of children
born in foreign country of American parents re-
make e for e 1bsr and to
point as may seems best 10 Congress.
REPUBLIC OF SPAIN.
In compliance with the request of Congress,
transmitted TO the American Minister at Madrid
with instructions 10 present IL 10 the Spanish
Government, the joint resolution approved on the
Sd OF March last, rendering TO the people of SDan
in the name and on behalf of the American people,
the congratulations Of Congress upon the efforts
to consolidate in Spain the principles of universal
liberty in republican form of government. The
existence of this new Republic was inaugurated by
striking the fesers from the slaves in Porto Rico
This benefcent measure was followed by the re-
lease OF several thousand persons Illegally sold as
slaves in Cuba Next, the Captain General of that
colony was deprived of the power to set aside the
orders of his superiors at Madrid. which had per-
tanned to the office since 1925 The sequestered
tates OF American citizens, which had been the
ordered to be restored TO their owners. All these
liberal steps were taken in the face of violent OPP
position, directed by the reactionary SHAREHOLDERS
OF Havana, who are vainly striving to stay the
mafch of ideas that has terminated slavery in
Christendom, Cuba only excepted. Unhappily,
all liberal-minded men in Spain 10 abolish
slavery in Cuba, and in preventing the
promised reform in that island The struggle
for political supremacy continues. The pro-slavery
ari>tocracy in Cuba is gradually arrayIng itself In
more and more open hostility and defiance of the
home Government while it still maintains pnlit
ical connection with the Republic in the peninsula;
of the home Government whenever such usurpa-
ton or defancs tends in the direction Of oppres-
PePr IA lRf6 ST It ts stu
to the confirmed Colonial relations Between
cuba and Spain than that which inspired
the Instruction at ARA. An element opposed to
granting any relief from misrule and abuse, with
no aspirations after freedom, commanding no sym
pathies in generous breasts, aiming rivet still
sion, has seized many of the EN- lems of power in
Cuba and under professions OF loyalty to the
mother country is exhausting the resources Of the
island, and 1s doing acts which are at variance
with those principles of justice, literally. and
right which give nobility of character to Repub-
and Of progress it is be hoped that this evil in
fuence may be soon averted
THE vIRGINIUs DIFFICULTY.
The steamer Virgin was on the 10Th day of
September, 1870, duly registered at the Iort of
New York as part Of the commercial marine of
the United States On the 4th of October, 1870,
having the certificate OF her register in the usual
legal form, she sailed from the port of New York,
and has not since been within he territorial jurs
diction of the United States On the 31st of Octo-
States on the high seas, she forclbly seized by
the Spanish gynboat Tornado and was carried 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
process OF law, put to death. 1t is q well-estab
llshed principle asserted by the United States
from the beginning of national independence re-
cognized by Great Britain and other maritime
powers, and stated by the Senate in a resolution
passed unanimously on the 10th of June 1885, that
amerlG ba. Vessels on the high seas in time OF
the jurisdiction of the country to which
they belong and, therefore any visitation,
molestation, detention of such vessel
by force ON the part of foreign power l.
in derogation of the sovereignty of the United
States. In accordance with this principle the res
toraion of the Virginius and the surrender of the
SURVIVORS OF her passengers and crew. and due
repara1on to the flag, and the punishment of the
authorities who had been guilty of the illegal acts
OF violence, were demanded. The Spanish Gov
eminent has recognized the justice of the demand
ana mas arranged for the immediate delivery of the
vessel and for the surrender of the survivors of
the passengers and crew, and for salute the flag
ana for proceedings looking to the punishment of
lnose who may be proved TO have been
guilty of illegal acts Of violence towards
cllzens OF the United States, and also to-
ward indemnifying those who may be shown to be
enttied 10 indemnity. A copy of protocol of
conference between the Secretary OF State and
the Spanish Minister, in which the terms of this
arran 5ement were agreed to, will be transmitted
herewith. The correspondence on this subject
with the Legation OF the United States is in ciuher
and by cable, and needs The verification of the
actual text of the correspondence. 1t has seemed
10 me TO be due to the Importance of the case not
to submit this correspondence until the
1t is expected shortly and will
be submitted when received. In taking leave of
TINS subject for the present 1 wish to renew the
expression OF my conviction that the existence of
ismentabe condition of the Island L do not Soubt
tnat congress shares with me the hope that it will
soon be made TO disappear, and that peace and
prosperity may follow lis abolition. The embar-
american citizens detected in of hostility to
the Spani- b Government. the numbering of prison.
ers taken with arms in their hands and finally the
capture upon the high of a vessel
bearing United States registry have oul-
minated in an outburst of Indignation that has
seemed for time to threaten war. Pending ne
EQUATIONS between the United States and the
Government Of Spain on the subject of this cap
ture. L have authorized the Secretary of the NAVY
to put our navy on war footing. 10 the extent at
least of the entire annual appropriation for that
branch OF the service, trusting TO Congress and
the public opinion of the American people to ius-
tify my action