Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-12-03

right, which give nobility Of character to a
Republic.
10 the interests of humanity, of civiliza-
ton and of progress, it is to be hoped that
this evil influence may be soon averted.
THE vIRaINIUs AFFAIR.
The steamer Virginius was on the Goth day
of September, 1870, duly registered at New
York as part OF the commercial marine of
the United States, On the 4th of October,
1870, having received the certificate of her
register in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York and has not since
been in the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States
On the 31st day of October last, while
sailing mnder 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 were inhu-
manly, 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 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 unanimously on the 10th of June
1858, that American vessels on the high seas,
in times of peace, bearing the American flag
remain under the jurisdiction of the country
to which they belong, and therefore any Wis
itation. molestation or detention of such YES
sci by force or by the exhibition of force on
the part of foreign power is in derogation
OF the sovereignty of the United States, In
accordance with this principle the restora-
ton OF the Virginius, and the surrender OF
the survivors of her passengers and crew
and due reparation to our flag, and the
punishment of the authorities who had been
guilty of these illegal acts Of violence were
demanded.
SPAIN COMPLIES WITH OUR DEMANDS.
The Spanish Government has recognized
the justice of the demands, and has arranged
for the immediate delivery of the vessel, and
Tor the surrender of the survivors of the
passengers and crew, and for salute to the
dag, and for proceedings looking to the pun
lshment of those who may be proved to have
been guilty OF illegal acts of violence to-
ward citizens of the United States and also
toward indemnilyIng those who may be
shown TO be entitled to indemnity A COPY
OF protocol of conference between the
Secretary of State and the Spanish Minister,
| IN which the terms of this arrangement were
agreed to, is transmitted herewith.
The correspondence on this subject with
the Legation of the United States by cyphel
and by cable needs the yerifcation of the
actual text of the correspondence. 1t has
seemed to me to be due to the Importance O
the case not to submit this correspondence
until the actual text can be received by mail
1t is expected shortly, and will be submitted
when received.
In taking leave of this subject for the
present, L wish to renew the expression o
my conviction, that the existence of African
slavery IN Cuba is a principal cause of the
lamentabe condition of the island [ d,
not doubt that Congress shares with me the
| hope that 1t will soon disappear, and thai
peace and prosperity may follow its aboli.
ltlon. The EN- bargoing of American e. tates
IN Cuba, the cruelty to American citizens de-
tected IN no act of hostility to the Spanish
| Government, the numbering of prisoner.
taken with arms in their hands, and finall,
the capture upon the high seas of a vessel
sailing under the United States f4g. anc
bearing United States registry, has culmi.
mated 10 an outburst of Indignation that has
seemed for time to threaten war.
NAVAL PREPARATIONS
Pending negotiations between the Unite
States and tie Government OF Spain, on tht
SUBJECT OF the capture, have authorized the
Secretary OF the Navy to put our navy GA
war footing, to the extent, at least, of tn,
entire annual appropriation for that branct
OF the service, trusting to Congress, and tn,
opinion OF the American people to iustI(,
my action.
| CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTs
Assuming from the action of the last Con
gress IN appointing a Committee on Priyil
eyes and Elections to prepare and report t
this Con REFS constitutional amend nent |,
provide better method Of electinr tn
President and Vice Presldent of the Unite
States, and also from the necessity of sucl
amendment that there will BE- submitted [,
the State Legislatures for ratification sue
an improvement in our Constitution. | SUI
gest two others for your consideration.
First, to authorize the Executive To an
prove OF 50 much OF any measure passing tb,
TWO Houses OF Congress, as his iudgmen
may dictate, without approving the whole
the dlsapprovei portion or portions to b
subjected to the same rules as now, to wit
ID be referred back to the house in which tn
measure OF measures originated and i
passed by two-thirds vote of both III luses
then to become law, without the appr1va
of the President. | would adj To this ,
provision that there should be no Legislation
by congress during the last twenty-loui
hours OF Its sitting, except upon vetoes. i,
order to give the Executive an opp0rtunity
to examine and approve or disapprove tn,
bills Understandings.
Second-to provide by amendment tn 1
when an extra session of Congress is conyen
ed by executive proclamation, legislation
during the continuance OF such extra session
shall be confined 10 such subjects as the E,x
ecutlve may bring before it from time t,
time IN writing. The advantages TO b
gained by these two amendments are ohvious
One session in each year is provided for b.
the Constitution, in which there are no re
strictions as to the subjects of legislation b
Congress.
1t more are required it is alw Tvs in the
power of Congress during their term OF offie
70 provide for sessions at any time. tn
first ct these amendments would protect III
pubic against the many abuses aud waste a
public moneys, which creep into the appro
prlation bills, and other important measure
passing during the expiring hours of Con
gress, to which otherwise due considerable,
cannot be given.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The receipts of the government from a
sources for the last fiscal year were 1888
13o,2O4, and expenditures on all accounts
S290, 34o, 245-thus showing I'm excess c
receipts over expenditures Of S43, 392 .95g
But it is not probable that this favorable ex
hint will be shown for the present fsca
year. Indeed it is very doubtful, whether
except with great economy on the part G
Congress in making appropriations and tn
same economy in administering the variou
departments of government, the revenue wi
not tall short OF meeting actual expenses, in
Guiding the interest on the public debt
commend to Congress such economy, an
point out two sources where, it seems to me
1t might commence, to wit: in the appropri
ations Tor public buildings in the many cite
| where Wnrk has