Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-12-10

CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA ~ E
The Venezuela Government having been
apprlsed OF the sense Of Congress in regard to
the award of the joint commission under the
convention OF the 25th of April 1866, as ex.
pressed in the act of the 25th of February last
1t IS apprehended that that Govern
ment does not realize the character
OF its obligations under that convention,
AS there is reason to believe, however that
Its hes'saney IN recognizing them arises. in
part at least, from the real difficulty in dis.
charging them in connection with its ob6ga-
lons TO other governments, the expediency of
further forbearance on our part is believed to
be worthy OF your consideration.
TURKEY.
lhe ottoman government and that of
Egypt have latterly shown disposition to re-
heve foreign Consuls of the judicial powers
which heretofore they have exercised in the
turkish dominions, by organizing other
tribunals. AS Congress, however, has by law
provided for the discharge of judicial func.
lions by Consuls of the United States in that
quarter, under the treaty of 1S30,sI have not
telt at liberty to accept the present change
without the assent Of Congress, whose deci-
sion upon the subject at as early period as
may be convenient, Is earnestly requested.
SAN DOMINGO.
| transmit here for the consideration and
determination of Congress an application of
the republic OF Santo Domingo to this Gov
eminent to exercise protectoral power over
that republic.
TREATIES.
Since the adjournment of Congress the fol-
lowing treaties with foreign powers have heen
proclaimed: A naturalization convention
With Denmark convention with Mexico for
renewing the Claims Convention; conven.
tion OF friendship. commerce and extradition
with the Orange Free State and naturali-
cation convention with Eucador
POST OFFICE COMMISSIONS.
I renew a recommendation made in nv
message OF December 1870, that Congress au-
thorize the Post Master General to issue all
commissions to officials appointed through
his department..
RIGHTS OF CITIZENS ABROAD.
invite the earnest attention of Congress
to the existing laws of the United States re-
specting extradition and eligibility of individ-
uals. Many citizers of the United States re-
side permanently abroad with their
families under the provisions OF an act ap-
proved February 10th, 1855, the children of
such persons are to be deemed and taken to
be citizens OF the United States, but the
rights of citizenship are not to descend to
persons whose fathers never resided within
the United States have been unable to put
forward pretenslons to the protection of the
United States against the claim of military
lection they have been born and reared.
In some cases unnaturalized citizens Of the
United States have returned to the land of
their birth to remain there, and their children,
the issue OF a marriage contracted after their
return, and who have never been in the United
States, have laid claim to our protection when
lapse Of many years have imposed upon
them the duty of military service to the only
government which had ever known them per-
soaally. Until the year 1868 it was left en-
barrassed by the conflicting opinion Of courts
aud jurists to examine how far the doctrine
of perpetual allegiance derived from our for
mer colonial relations with Great Britain was
applicable to American citizens. Congress
then wisely swept the doubts away by electing
that any declaration instruction, opinion,
order or decision of any officer Of this Govern
ment which denies, restricts, impairs o. ques-
lions the right of expatriatlOn is inconsistent
with the fundamental principle of this Govern
ment. But Congress did not indicate in that
statute nor has it since done so,what acts are to
be deemed to work expatriation. For nv own
guidance in determining such questions re-
quired under the provisions of the Constitu.
ton, l have required the opinion in writing of
the principal officers in each Of the executive
departments upon certain questions relating
to this subject. The result satisfies me that
| further legislation has become necessary. I
therefore commend the subject to the careful
consideration Of Congress-, and l transmit
herewith copies of the several opinions of the
principal officers of the executive depart
ments. together with other correspondence
and prominent information on the same SUBJ
iect. The United States, who led the way
doctrine of perpetual allegiance, are
among the last to indicate how
their own citizens may elect another national
iiy. The papers submitted herewith indicate
what is necessary to place US on q par with
other leading nations in hberality of legisla-
4,or, THO irfor Of ruo W.
already, in our treaties, assented to the prin-
ciples which would need to be embodied in
laws intended to accomplish such results. We
have agreed that citizens of the United States
may cease tie be citizens, and may voluntarily
render allegiance to other powers. We have
agreed that residence in foreign lands with
out intent to return, shall OF itself work
repatriation. We have agreed in some in.
stances upon the length of time necessary for
such intent. invite Congress now to mark
and define, when and how expatriation can be
accomplished to regulate by law the condi-
ton OF American women marrying foreign
ers to fix the status of children born in a
fO1 elgn country OF American parents residing
more or less permanently abroad, and to make
rules for determining such other kindred
points as may seem best to Congress.
THE SPANISH REPUBLIC.
In compliance with the request o. Congress
I transmitted to the American Minister at
Madrid, with instructions to present it to the
Spanish government. the joint resolution ap-
proved on the Sd OF March last, rendering to
the people of Spain, in the name and on be-
half of the American people, the congratula-
tons of Congress upon the efforts to CONSOLE
date in Spain the principles Of universal lib
erty in republican form OF government. The
SUCCESS of this new republic was inaugurated
by striking the letters from the slaves in Por-
| to Rico. This benefcient measure was fol-
| lowed by the release of several thousand per-
sons 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 superior at Madrid which
had pertained to the Office since 1926 the Sc
questered estates OF American citizens, which
had been the cause of long and frequent cor
respondence, were ordered to be restored to
their owners. All these liberal steps were
taken in the face of violent opposition, di-
rected by the reactionary Shareholders of
Havana, who are vainly striving to stay the
march of ideas, have terminated slavery in
Cnsistendom. Cuba only excepted. Unhap-
PLY, however, thls baneful influence has thus
tar succeeded in defeating the efforts OF all
liberal minded men in Spain to abollsh slavery
IN Cuba and in preventing the promise re.
form in that island. The struggle for political
supremacy continues. The pro-savery aris-
tocracy il Cuba is gradually arraylng itself
IN more and more open hostility and defiance
to the home Government. While it still
maintains a political connection with
the republic on the peninsula although
usurping and defying the home government,
whenever such Isurpation or defiance tends